Yes, arrest records are public in Newport News, Virginia. This accessibility is in accordance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, which mandates that all public records, unless exempted by law, must be accessible to the public. This act ensures transparency and accountability in government operations, allowing citizens to obtain information about arrests and other government activities.
To get arrest records in Newport News, several methods are available, particularly with advancements in digital access. While specific online platforms can be used to access these records, the following are general methods to search for arrest records in Newport News:
A Newport News arrest record typically includes the following information:
In Newport News, the expungement of arrest records is possible under certain conditions. Individuals who were acquitted, granted an absolute pardon, or whose charges were dismissed can petition for expungement. The process involves filing a petition with the court that originally heard the case. The court then reviews the petition, and if it finds the retention of the arrest records is no longer in the interest of justice, it can order the records to be expunged, thereby removing them from public access and destroying all associated records.