>Martinsville City County Arrest Records Online

Martinsville Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Martinsville, Virginia?

Arrest records are public documents in Martinsville, Virginia, pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) as codified in § 2.2-3700 et seq. of the Code of Virginia. This legislation establishes the public's right to access records maintained by government agencies, including those pertaining to arrests and criminal proceedings. The Virginia FOIA specifically mandates that all public records shall be open to inspection and copying by any citizens of the Commonwealth during the regular office hours of the custodian of such records.

The City of Martinsville's FOIA policy affirms this commitment to transparency, allowing members of the public and media representatives to request arrest records from local law enforcement agencies. This transparency serves multiple public interests, including:

Ensuring accountability of law enforcement operations
Providing community awareness of criminal activity
Supporting journalistic reporting on matters of public safety
Enabling background checks for employment and housing purposes

Certain exceptions may apply to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or personal identifying information as specified under § 2.2-3706 of the Code of Virginia.

How to Look Up Martinsville Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Martinsville have several official channels through which these documents may be obtained. The following methods are available for accessing arrest information:

In-Person Requests

Martinsville Police Department
55 West Church Street
Martinsville, VA 24112
Phone: (276) 403-5300
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website

Individuals may submit a written request for arrest records at the police department's records division. Requestors must complete a standard FOIA form and may be required to present identification. Processing times typically range from 5-7 business days, pursuant to § 2.2-3704(B) of the Virginia Code.

Martinsville Circuit Court Clerk's Office
55 West Church Street
Martinsville, VA 24112
Phone: (276) 403-5106
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website

The Circuit Court maintains records of criminal proceedings, including arrest information for cases that have proceeded to court. Court clerks can assist with locating relevant case files upon submission of a proper request form.

Online Access Options

The Virginia Judiciary Case Information System provides limited online access to court records, including information about arrests that have resulted in court proceedings. Users may search by name or case number to retrieve basic case information.

For individuals currently in custody, the Virginia Department of Corrections Inmate Locator provides information about incarcerated persons, including their current location and projected release date.

Additional Resources

Henry County Sheriff's Office
3250 Kings Mountain Road
Martinsville, VA 24112
Phone: (276) 634-4600
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website

For arrests occurring in areas of Henry County adjacent to Martinsville city limits, records may be maintained by the county sheriff's office.

Contents of a Martinsville Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Martinsville law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as required by Virginia Code § 19.2-390. These official documents serve as the formal record of an individual's encounter with law enforcement and generally include the following elements:

Biographical Information

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Any known aliases or previous names
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
Residential address at time of arrest
Gender and race (for identification purposes only)

Arrest Details

Date, time, and location of the arrest
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Agency responsible for the arrest
Statutory authority under which the arrest was made
Whether force was used during the arrest

Criminal Charges

Specific Virginia Code sections allegedly violated
Classification of offense (felony or misdemeanor)
Brief description of the alleged criminal activity
Presence of any aggravating factors
Weapons or contraband seized during arrest

Processing Information

Booking number and facility
Fingerprint identification data
Mugshot photograph
Detention status (released or held)
Bond amount and conditions, if applicable
Court appearance date and location

It should be noted that pursuant to Virginia Code § 19.2-389, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information that might compromise ongoing investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Martinsville

The Commonwealth of Virginia provides statutory mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in Virginia Code § 19.2-392.2. Expungement refers to the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access and, in some cases, from law enforcement databases.

Eligibility Criteria

In Martinsville, as throughout Virginia, individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records under the following circumstances:

The individual was acquitted of all charges
All charges were nolle prossed (formally abandoned by the prosecutor)
The case was otherwise dismissed, including dismissals with prejudice
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

Effective July 1, 2021, Virginia law expanded expungement eligibility through the passage of Senate Bill 1339, which established a process for automatic sealing of certain records and petition-based expungement for additional offense categories.

Petition Process

The expungement procedure in Martinsville requires petitioners to:

File a petition for expungement with the Martinsville Circuit Court
Pay the required filing fee (approximately $88 as of 2025)
Obtain and submit a complete set of fingerprints from a law enforcement agency
Provide certified copies of the original arrest warrant or indictment
Serve a copy of the petition on the Commonwealth's Attorney

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing date. The Commonwealth's Attorney may consent to or oppose the petition. If the court grants the expungement, an order will be issued directing all relevant agencies to remove the records from public access.

Effect of Expungement

When an expungement is granted by the Martinsville Circuit Court, the following actions occur:

All public records related to the arrest are sealed or destroyed
Law enforcement agencies must remove the information from their databases
The individual may legally respond to questions about the arrest as if it never occurred
Background checks conducted by most employers will not reveal the expunged arrest

It should be noted that certain government agencies, particularly those related to law enforcement and national security, may retain limited access to expunged records under specific circumstances as permitted by Virginia Code § 19.2-392.3.