>Prince William County Arrest Records Online

Prince William County, Virginia Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Prince William County, Virginia?

Arrest records are public documents in Prince William County, Virginia, pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA), Code of Virginia § 2.2-3700 et seq. This legislation establishes the presumption that all records maintained by public bodies, including law enforcement agencies, shall be open to inspection and copying by any citizen of the Commonwealth. The Prince William County Police Department maintains these records as part of their statutory obligation to document law enforcement activities. Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental purposes, including maintaining transparency in the criminal justice system and enabling community awareness of public safety matters.

Members of the public should note that certain information within arrest records may be redacted in accordance with exemptions provided under VFOIA § 2.2-3706, particularly when disclosure would compromise ongoing investigations, reveal confidential informants, or infringe upon juvenile privacy protections. The custodian of records must cite the specific statutory exemption when withholding any portion of a public record.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Prince William County?

Prince William County provides digital access to arrest records through several official government portals. The Adult Arrest Report published by the Prince William County Police Department offers a comprehensive listing of adult arrests made within the jurisdiction over the most recent 30-31 day period. This online resource is maintained in accordance with Virginia Code § 15.2-1722, which requires law enforcement agencies to maintain records of all arrests and incidents.

The Prince William County Police Department maintains these digital records as part of their commitment to public transparency and community engagement. Online access is provided through secure government servers that update information according to established protocols. Users should be aware that while basic arrest information is available online, certain details may be omitted in compliance with privacy laws and ongoing investigation protections as outlined in VFOIA § 2.2-3706(B).

Supplementary arrest information may also be accessed through the Court Case Information portal maintained by the Prince William County Circuit Court, which provides case status updates and court proceedings related to arrests.

How to Look Up Prince William County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for obtaining arrest records in Prince William County. The following methods are available to members of the public seeking access to these documents:

In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Prince William County Police Department Records Division to submit formal requests for arrest records.

Prince William County Police Department
1 County Complex Court
Woodbridge, VA 22192
Phone: (703) 792-6500
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Online Access: The Daily Incident Reports and Adult Arrest Report provide current information on recent arrests and police activity.
Criminal Records Check: Individuals may request a Criminal Records Check through the Circuit Court Clerk's Office for comprehensive arrest history information.

Prince William County Circuit Court
9311 Lee Avenue
Manassas, VA 20110
Phone: (703) 792-6015
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Background Check Services: The county offers Background Checks for residents who can verify their Prince William County residency and/or arrest history.

Pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.2-3704, agencies must respond to record requests within five working days. Requestors may be required to pay reasonable charges for the actual cost of accessing, duplicating, supplying, or searching for the requested records, not to exceed the actual cost to the public body in supplying such records.

Contents of a Prince William County Arrest Record

Prince William County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Virginia Code § 15.2-1722. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, physical description (height, weight, identifying marks), and residential address.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; name of the arresting officer and agency; specific charges filed with corresponding Virginia Code sections.
Case Information: Assigned case number, booking information, and initial court appearance details.
Identification Materials: Booking photograph (mugshot) and fingerprint classification when available.
Charge Classification: Whether charges are misdemeanors or felonies, and the class of each offense according to Virginia Criminal Code.
Custody Status: Information regarding bond determination, release conditions, or continued detention.

The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the nature of the offense and stage of the criminal justice process. Records maintained by the Prince William General District Court may contain additional information regarding court proceedings following the initial arrest.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Prince William County

Under Virginia Code § 19.2-392.2, certain individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records in Prince William County. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access and, in some cases, physically destroyed. Eligibility criteria for expungement in Prince William County include:

Cases resulting in acquittal
Nolle prosequi (formal abandonment of prosecution)
Dismissal of charges
Absolute pardon for wrongful conviction

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Circuit Court where the case was handled. Petitioners must submit:

A completed petition for expungement form
Certified copies of the original charge and disposition
Set of fingerprints obtained from a law enforcement agency
Filing fee (currently $88 for most cases)

Prince William County Circuit Court
9311 Lee Avenue
Manassas, VA 20110
Phone: (703) 792-6015
Official Website

The Commonwealth's Attorney reviews all expungement petitions and may contest the request. If contested, a hearing will be scheduled where the petitioner must demonstrate that the continued existence of the record causes or may cause circumstances that constitute a manifest injustice.

Successful expungement results in the removal of records from public databases, including those maintained by the Virginia Central Criminal Records Exchange. However, certain law enforcement and judicial entities may retain limited access to expunged records for official purposes as permitted by statute.