>Newport News City County Arrest Records Online

Newport News Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Newport News, Virginia?

Arrest records are public in Newport News, Virginia, pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA), Code of Virginia § 2.2-3700 et seq. This legislation establishes that all public records maintained by public bodies shall be open to inspection and copying by any citizens of the Commonwealth, with certain statutory exemptions. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act serves as the legal framework ensuring governmental transparency and accountability, permitting citizens to access information regarding arrests and other governmental proceedings within the jurisdiction.

Law enforcement agencies in Newport News are required to maintain and, upon request, provide access to arrest records in accordance with VFOIA provisions. However, certain information may be redacted or withheld if it falls under specific exemptions outlined in § 2.2-3705.1 through § 2.2-3706, such as information that would jeopardize ongoing investigations or compromise personal privacy beyond the scope of public interest.

How to Look Up Newport News Arrest Records in 2025

Newport News residents and other authorized individuals seeking arrest records may utilize several established channels to obtain this information. The City of Newport News has implemented digital systems to facilitate public access to arrest data while maintaining compliance with state regulations.

Newport News Police Department Online Portal: The department maintains a daily arrests dashboard where recent arrest information is published and updated regularly.
In-Person Requests at Police Headquarters: Citizens may submit formal requests at the Newport News Police Department headquarters.

Newport News Police Department
9710 Jefferson Avenue
Newport News, VA 23605
757-928-4100
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Newport News Sheriff's Office: The Sheriff's Office maintains records of individuals processed through their facilities.

Newport News Sheriff's Office
224 26th Street
Newport News, VA 23607
757-926-8535
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Newport News Circuit Court: Court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings may be accessed through the Circuit Court.

Newport News Circuit Court
2500 Washington Avenue
Newport News, VA 23607
757-926-8561
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Land Records: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
Virginia Judiciary Case Information System: The state's online case information portal provides access to court records, including those related to arrests in Newport News.

Contents of a Newport News Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by Newport News law enforcement agencies contain specific information as mandated by Virginia Code § 19.2-390. These records typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Nature and classification of the alleged offense(s)
Statutory citation of violated law(s)
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking number and processing information
Photographic identification (mugshot)
Biometric data including fingerprints
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
Custody status and bail/bond information
Case disposition if available

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 pertaining to juveniles as protected under § 16.1-301.

Legal Framework for Arrest Record Access in Virginia

The Commonwealth of Virginia has established a comprehensive legal framework governing the maintenance and accessibility of arrest records. This framework balances the public's right to information with individual privacy considerations and law enforcement operational needs.

Virginia Code § 15.2-1722 requires all police departments to maintain records of arrests as permanent records. These records must be maintained in accordance with retention schedules established by the Library of Virginia under the Virginia Public Records Act (§ 42.1-76 et seq.).

The Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN), established under § 19.2-387, serves as the central repository for criminal history record information, including arrest data. Access to VCIN is restricted to authorized criminal justice agencies and other entities as permitted by law.

Under § 19.2-389, dissemination of criminal history record information is permitted to:

Criminal justice agencies for administration of criminal justice
Agencies of federal, state, and local governments for authorized governmental purposes
Individuals and agencies pursuant to a specific agreement with a criminal justice agency
Individuals and agencies for research, evaluative, or statistical purposes
Individuals and agencies when authorized by court order or statute

Expungement of Arrest Records in Newport News

Virginia law provides mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in Code of Virginia § 19.2-392.2. Individuals may petition for expungement in Newport News 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 was used without authorization during an arrest

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Circuit Court where the case was disposed. Petitioners must provide fingerprints to the law enforcement agency 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 if the continued existence of the record would constitute a manifest injustice to the petitioner.

Newport News Circuit Court
2500 Washington Avenue
Newport News, VA 23607
757-926-8561
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

If granted, an expungement order directs all agencies possessing such records to remove them from their systems and destroy them. The clerk of court then files the order with the Virginia State Police, which coordinates the expungement process across all relevant agencies.

Restrictions on Use of Arrest Records

The Code of Virginia § 19.2-392.4 prohibits employers, educational institutions, and agencies from requiring applicants to disclose information regarding arrests or criminal charges that have been expunged. Additionally, § 40.1-28.7:1 restricts employers from inquiring about arrests or criminal charges that did not result in conviction.

Public access to arrest records does not authorize their use for discriminatory purposes. The Virginia Human Rights Act (§ 2.2-3900 et seq.) prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations based on arrest record alone, without final conviction.

Commercial use of arrest record information is subject to the Virginia Consumer Protection Act (§ 59.1-196 et seq.) and the Virginia Data Privacy Act (§ 59.1-575 et seq.), which establish requirements for accuracy, currency, and disclosure when such information is used for commercial purposes.