>James City County Arrest Records Online

James City County, Virginia Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in James City County, Virginia?

Arrest records in James City County, Virginia are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA), Code of Virginia § 2.2-3700 et seq. This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records maintained by public bodies, including law enforcement agencies operating within James City County. The VFOIA specifically designates criminal records, including arrest information, as public documents subject to disclosure with certain statutory exemptions.

Members of the public seeking arrest records may obtain this information through various official channels established by James City County authorities. The James City County Police Department maintains these records as part of their official documentation of law enforcement activities. While certain sensitive information may be redacted in accordance with Virginia Code § 2.2-3706, the core arrest data remains accessible to interested parties.

The Virginia Public Records Act further requires that all public bodies, including the James City County law enforcement agencies, preserve these records according to retention schedules established by the Library of Virginia. This ensures that arrest records remain available for public inspection for the duration specified by applicable regulations.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in James City County?

James City County provides digital access to certain arrest records through official online platforms. The Records Management division of James City County maintains electronic databases that may include arrest information accessible to the public. These digital resources are maintained in compliance with Virginia Code § 2.2-3704.1, which encourages public bodies to make records available by electronic means when practicable.

The Virginia Judiciary Case Information System also provides online access to court records related to arrests processed through the Williamsburg/James City County Circuit Court and the Williamsburg/James City County General District Court. This system allows users to search for case information by name, case number, or hearing date.

Certain limitations apply to online access of arrest records. Pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.2-3808.2, personal identifying information such as social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and dates of birth may be redacted from publicly accessible online records to protect individual privacy while maintaining the public nature of the arrest information itself.

How to Look Up James City County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for obtaining arrest records in James City County. Interested parties may pursue the following methods:

Submit a records request in person at the James City County Police Department headquarters located at:

James City County Police Department
4600 Opportunity Way
Williamsburg, VA 23188
Phone: (757) 253-1800
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

File a written request with the Clerk of the Circuit Court for cases that have proceeded to court proceedings:

Williamsburg/James City County Circuit Court
5201 Monticello Avenue, Suite 6
Williamsburg, VA 23188
Phone: (757) 564-2242
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Access the Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System for court records related to arrests.
Contact the Williamsburg-James City Sheriff's Office for information regarding individuals currently in custody:

Williamsburg-James City Sheriff's Office
5201 Monticello Avenue, Suite 5
Williamsburg, VA 23188
Phone: (757) 564-2220
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Requestors should note that pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.2-3704(B), agencies have five working days to respond to records requests, with a possible seven-day extension if necessary. Fees may apply for search time and copying costs as permitted under Virginia Code § 2.2-3704(F).

Contents of a James City County Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by James City County law enforcement agencies contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. These records typically include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Physical description including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s)
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking information including fingerprints and booking photographs
Custody status and bail information if applicable
Case number assigned for administrative tracking

The James City County Crime Resources division maintains these records in accordance with Virginia law enforcement standards. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available versions of these records, including information related to ongoing investigations, juvenile records (except as permitted by Virginia Code § 16.1-301), and victim identifying information in cases involving sexual offenses.

Arrest records for juveniles are subject to additional confidentiality protections under Virginia law and are typically maintained separately by the Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court.

Legal Uses of James City County Arrest Records

Arrest records obtained from James City County authorities may be utilized for various legitimate purposes as permitted by Virginia law. Authorized uses include:

Background screening for employment in positions requiring security clearance or involving vulnerable populations, subject to the limitations established in Virginia Code § 19.2-392.02
Tenant screening by property owners and management companies in accordance with Virginia landlord-tenant laws
Pre-trial risk assessments conducted by the Virginia Pretrial Services Agency
Academic and statistical research, provided that personally identifying information is protected
Journalistic reporting on matters of public interest and safety

Users of arrest record information must comply with applicable federal and state laws governing the use of criminal history information, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) when such information is used for employment, housing, or credit purposes.

Virginia Code § 19.2-392.4 prohibits employers from requiring job applicants to disclose information concerning arrests that did not result in conviction, except in certain specified circumstances involving law enforcement, childcare, and other sensitive positions.

Expungement of Arrest Records in James City County

Virginia law provides a mechanism for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to Virginia Code § 19.2-392.2, individuals may petition for expungement when:

The individual was acquitted of the charge
The charge was nolle prossed (formally abandoned by prosecutors)
The charge was otherwise dismissed, including dismissal by accord and satisfaction
The individual received an absolute pardon for a crime they did not commit

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Williamsburg/James City County Circuit Court. Petitioners must submit fingerprints to the Central Criminal Records Exchange for verification purposes and pay applicable filing fees. The Commonwealth's Attorney has the right to respond to the petition, and a hearing may be scheduled to determine whether the continued existence of the arrest record would constitute a manifest injustice to the petitioner.

If granted, an expungement order directs all public officials in possession of records relating to the arrest to remove these records from public access and seal them. The records are not physically destroyed but are segregated and made inaccessible except by court order. Effective July 1, 2021, Virginia enacted automatic expungement provisions for certain minor offenses under Virginia Code § 19.2-392.6.

Restrictions on Access to Certain Arrest Records

Not all arrest records in James City County are subject to unrestricted public access. Virginia law establishes several categories of protected information, including:

Records related to ongoing criminal investigations (Virginia Code § 2.2-3706(A)(2))
Juvenile arrest records, which are generally confidential under Virginia Code § 16.1-301, with limited exceptions
Records sealed pursuant to court order, including expunged records
Information that would jeopardize the safety of any person if disclosed
Records containing identifying information of victims of sexual offenses (Virginia Code § 19.2-11.2)

The James City County Police Department and other county agencies are required to withhold or redact such protected information when responding to public records requests. Individuals with legitimate need for access to restricted records may petition the appropriate court for an order granting access under specific conditions.

Law enforcement agencies may also temporarily withhold certain arrest information if disclosure would jeopardize an ongoing investigation, interfere with a prospective law enforcement action, or endanger an individual's safety.