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Christiansburg Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Christiansburg, Virginia?

Arrest records in Christiansburg, Virginia are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Code of Virginia § 2.2-3700 et seq. This legislation establishes the presumption that all government records shall be open to the public, with certain limited exceptions. The Virginia FOIA ensures transparency in governmental operations, including law enforcement activities conducted by the Christiansburg Police Department and other local agencies.

Members of the public may access arrest records maintained by the Town of Christiansburg as part of their right to monitor governmental activities. The Virginia FOIA specifically states that public bodies shall make reasonable efforts to reach an agreement with requesters concerning the production of records. Arrest records typically remain public unless specifically sealed by court order or subject to statutory exemptions designed to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or personal privacy in certain circumstances.

The Christiansburg Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules established by the Library of Virginia. While most arrest information is publicly accessible, certain sensitive information may be redacted in compliance with Code of Virginia § 2.2-3706, which governs law enforcement records specifically.

How to Look Up Christiansburg Arrest Records in 2025

The Town of Christiansburg provides multiple methods for accessing arrest records. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize any of the following official channels:

In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Christiansburg Police Department headquarters to submit FOIA requests for arrest records during regular business hours. Staff will assist with locating and providing available records.

Christiansburg Police Department
100 East Main Street
Christiansburg, VA 24073
Phone: 540-382-3131
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Online FOIA Requests: The Town of Christiansburg maintains an online FOIA request portal specifically for police records. Requesters must provide their contact information and specify the records sought.
Virginia Judiciary Case Information System: Court records related to arrests may be accessed through the Virginia Judicial System's online portal, which provides case information for Montgomery County Circuit Court and Christiansburg-area district courts.
Montgomery County Circuit Court Clerk's Office: Records of court proceedings following arrests are maintained at the circuit court level.

Montgomery County Circuit Court
1 East Main Street
Christiansburg, VA 24073
Phone: 540-382-5760
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.2-3704, public bodies must respond to FOIA requests within five working days. The Christiansburg Police Department may charge reasonable fees to cover actual costs associated with accessing, duplicating, supplying, or searching for requested records. Fee schedules are available upon request from the department's FOIA officer.

Contents of a Christiansburg Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Christiansburg Police Department typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest incident and the individual taken into custody. Standard arrest records include the following elements:

Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, physical description, and any known aliases or previous identities.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest within Christiansburg town limits or Montgomery County jurisdiction.
Criminal Charges: Complete listing of all charges filed, including Virginia Code citations and classification of offenses as misdemeanors or felonies.
Arresting Agency Information: Identification of the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest, typically the Christiansburg Police Department, and the name or badge number of the arresting officer(s).
Booking Data: Processing information including fingerprints, booking photographs (mugshots), and personal property inventory taken at the time of processing.
Detention Status: Information regarding pretrial detention, release conditions, bail or bond amounts, and custody location if applicable.
Court Information: Scheduled court appearances, assigned court (General District or Circuit Court), and case numbers associated with the arrest.

The Virginia Records Retention and Disposition Schedule (Series 100645) requires law enforcement agencies to maintain arrest records for a minimum of 75 years from the date of arrest. These records are subject to public records laws but may have certain information redacted to protect privacy rights or ongoing investigations as permitted under Virginia Code § 2.2-3706.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Christiansburg

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

Individuals may petition for expungement of Christiansburg arrest records under the following circumstances:

The individual was acquitted of all charges.
The Commonwealth's Attorney or arresting agency dismissed all charges (nolle prosequi).
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 arrest was for a misdemeanor offense and the individual has no prior criminal record.

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Montgomery County Circuit Court. Pursuant to Virginia law, petitioners must include:

A certified copy of the original arrest warrant or indictment
Fingerprint card from a law enforcement agency
Filing fee (currently $88 for most cases)
Completed petition form (CC-1473)

Montgomery County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
1 East Main Street
Christiansburg, VA 24073
Phone: 540-382-5760
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

The Town of Christiansburg Charter and local ordinances do not provide additional expungement procedures beyond those established by state law. Upon receipt of a court order for expungement, the Christiansburg Police Department must remove the specified records from public access and respond to inquiries as if the arrest never occurred.

Individuals with arrest records in Christiansburg should be aware that Virginia law does not permit expungement of conviction records except in very limited circumstances. The expungement process applies primarily to arrests that did not result in conviction or where identity theft occurred.

Legal Implications of Public Arrest Records

Public arrest records in Christiansburg carry significant legal implications for affected individuals. The Virginia Legislature has recognized the potential impact of these records through the enactment of Code of Virginia § 19.2-392.1, which acknowledges that arrest records may create barriers to employment, education, and housing opportunities.

The dissemination of arrest record information is governed by several legal frameworks:

Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): Federal law restricts how consumer reporting agencies may report arrest records. Generally, arrests that did not result in conviction may not be reported after seven years.
Virginia Human Rights Act: Code of Virginia § 2.2-3900 et seq. provides protections against discrimination, which may include improper use of arrest records in certain contexts.
Ban the Box Policies: While Christiansburg has not enacted a specific "ban the box" ordinance, state agencies in Virginia are prohibited from asking about criminal history on initial job applications pursuant to Executive Order 41 (2015).

The Christiansburg Police Department maintains arrest records in accordance with state retention requirements and must balance public access rights with privacy considerations. Law enforcement agencies may share arrest information with other governmental entities through the Central Criminal Records Exchange maintained by the Virginia State Police.

Individuals concerned about the impact of public arrest records may wish to consult with legal counsel regarding their rights under Virginia law. The Montgomery County Bar Association can provide referrals to attorneys specializing in expungement and record sealing procedures.