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Lynchburg Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Lynchburg, Virginia?

Arrest records are public in Lynchburg, Virginia, pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA), Code of Virginia § 2.2-3700 et seq. This legislation mandates that records maintained by public bodies, including law enforcement agencies, shall be open to inspection and copying by any citizen of the Commonwealth. The VFOIA establishes that all public records shall be presumed open, unless an exemption is properly invoked. The act is designed to ensure government transparency and accountability by providing citizens with reasonable access to records in the custody of public officials.

Certain exemptions may apply to specific components of arrest records as outlined in § 2.2-3706 of the Code of Virginia, particularly when disclosure would jeopardize ongoing investigations or compromise personal privacy in certain circumstances. However, basic arrest information, including the identity of the person arrested and the charges, remains accessible to the public.

How to Look Up Lynchburg Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Lynchburg have multiple official channels through which such information may be obtained. The Lynchburg Police Department maintains and processes requests for arrest records in accordance with state law. Interested parties may utilize the following methods to access arrest information:

Submit a FOIA request to the Lynchburg Police Department Records Unit, which processes public records requests pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.2-3704.
Visit the Lynchburg Police Department in person to request arrest record information during regular business hours.
Access the online public records portal maintained by the City of Lynchburg for digitally available arrest information.
Review court records related to arrests through the Lynchburg General District Court or Lynchburg Circuit Court case information systems.
Utilize public access terminals available at the Lynchburg Public Library or designated government buildings.

Lynchburg Police Department
900 Court Street
Lynchburg, VA 24504
Phone: 434-455-6050
Official Website

Lynchburg Circuit Court Clerk's Office
900 Court Street
Lynchburg, VA 24504
Phone: 434-455-2620
Official Website

Contents of a Lynchburg Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by the Lynchburg Police Department and other law enforcement agencies within the jurisdiction contain specific information as required by Virginia Code § 19.2-390. These records typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s)
Case number and arresting officer information
Booking photographs (mugshots)
Fingerprint records
Custody status information
Court appearance dates
Bond or bail information, when applicable

Pursuant to Virginia Code § 9.1-130, all law enforcement agencies are required to submit arrest information to the Central Criminal Records Exchange maintained by the Virginia State Police. This information becomes part of the comprehensive criminal history record information system accessible to authorized agencies and individuals.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Lynchburg

The Commonwealth of Virginia provides a legal mechanism for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in Virginia Code § 19.2-392.2. Individuals may petition for expungement in Lynchburg when:

The individual was acquitted of the charge
A nolle prosequi was taken or the charge was otherwise dismissed
The individual received an absolute pardon for a crime they did not commit
The individual's name or identity was used without consent by another person charged with a crime

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Lynchburg Circuit Court where the case was disposed. The petition must include:

Certified copies of the warrant or indictment
The date of arrest
The name of the arresting agency
The specific charge to be expunged
The date of final disposition of the charge
The petitioner's fingerprints obtained from a law enforcement agency

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court forwards copies to the Commonwealth's Attorney who has 21 days to file an objection. If the petition meets statutory requirements and no objection is filed, the court may enter an order requiring the expungement of police and court records. When granted, the expungement removes the record from public access, though certain government agencies may retain access to the information under limited circumstances as specified in § 19.2-392.3.

Lynchburg Commonwealth's Attorney's Office
901 Church Street
Lynchburg, VA 24504
Phone: 434-455-3760
Official Website

Legal Framework for Accessing Arrest Records

The dissemination of arrest records in Lynchburg is governed by multiple statutes and regulations that balance public access with privacy considerations. Virginia Code § 2.2-3706 specifically addresses law enforcement records and establishes that certain information relating to felony arrests must be disclosed, including:

A general description of the criminal activity reported
The date and general location the alleged crime was committed
The identity of the investigating officer
A general description of any injuries suffered or property damaged

The Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN) regulations, promulgated pursuant to § 19.2-389, further govern the dissemination of criminal history record information. These regulations establish that criminal history record information shall be disseminated only to authorized agencies or individuals and for authorized purposes.

Requesters seeking arrest records may be required to pay reasonable fees for search time and copying as permitted under § 2.2-3704(F). The Lynchburg Police Department has established a fee schedule for such requests in accordance with this statutory provision. Fees may be waived or reduced if the requester demonstrates financial hardship or if the request is deemed to be in the public interest.

Juvenile Arrest Records in Lynchburg

Juvenile arrest records in Lynchburg are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under Virginia Code § 16.1-301. Law enforcement agencies are required to take special precautions to ensure that juvenile arrest information is not disclosed to the general public. These records are maintained separately from adult records and access is restricted to:

Courts having jurisdiction over juvenile matters
Officers of the court and attorneys representing the juvenile
Parents or guardians of the juvenile
Schools, for the purpose of student enrollment and safety
Other agencies as authorized by court order or statute

The Lynchburg Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court maintains jurisdiction over juvenile cases and enforces the confidentiality provisions applicable to juvenile records. Unauthorized disclosure of juvenile arrest information may result in civil penalties as provided in § 16.1-309.

Lynchburg Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
909 Court Street
Lynchburg, VA 24504
Phone: 434-455-2670
Official Website