>Richmond City County Arrest Records Online

Richmond Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Richmond, Virginia?

Arrest records are public in Richmond, Virginia, pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA), Code of Virginia § 2.2-3700 et seq. This legislation establishes the public's statutory right to access governmental records, including those pertaining to arrests made within the jurisdiction. The VFOIA operates under the principle that government records shall be open to inspection and copying by any citizen of the Commonwealth, with certain limited exceptions as prescribed by law.

The Richmond Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official documentation of law enforcement activities. These records become part of the public domain once they are filed, though certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with § 2.2-3706 of the Code of Virginia. The public nature of these records serves the dual purpose of ensuring transparency in governmental operations and providing citizens with access to information regarding law enforcement activities within their community.

How to Look Up Richmond Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking to obtain arrest records in Richmond, Virginia in 2025 have multiple official channels through which such information may be accessed. The Commonwealth of Virginia has implemented several systems to facilitate public access to these records while maintaining necessary security protocols. The following methods are available for conducting arrest record searches:

Richmond Police Department Records Division: Citizens may submit requests in person at the Richmond Police Department headquarters located at 200 West Grace Street, Richmond, VA 23220. The Records Division operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. A valid government-issued identification is required when requesting records in person.
Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System: The Virginia Court System provides electronic access to court records, including those related to arrests. This system allows searches by name, case number, or hearing date.
Richmond Circuit Court Clerk's Office: Located at the John Marshall Courts Building, 400 North 9th Street, Richmond, VA 23219, the Circuit Court Clerk's Office maintains criminal case records that include arrest information. Office hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
Virginia State Police Criminal Records Exchange: For comprehensive criminal history information, individuals may submit a request to the Virginia State Police Criminal Records Exchange at P.O. Box 85076, Richmond, VA 23261-5076. Requests must be accompanied by the appropriate fee and completed SP-167 form.

Contents of a Richmond Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by the Richmond Police Department and accessible through the Richmond Circuit Court contain specific categories of 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 specific location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest, including Virginia Code references
Arresting officer's name and badge number
Booking photograph (commonly referred to as a "mugshot")
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
Fingerprint classification data
Case disposition information, if available
Court docket number assigned to the case
Bail or bond information, including amount set and conditions

It should be noted that certain information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, particularly in cases involving juveniles, sexual assault victims, or when disclosure might compromise an ongoing investigation. Such redactions are made in accordance with exemptions specified in § 2.2-3706(B) of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Richmond

The Commonwealth of Virginia provides a legal mechanism for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in Code of Virginia § 19.2-392.2. Expungement is the process by which arrest records are removed from public access and, in some cases, physically destroyed. The Richmond Circuit Court has jurisdiction over expungement petitions for arrests made within the city limits.

Eligibility for expungement in Richmond is limited to 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

The expungement process requires the filing of a petition with the Richmond Circuit Court, located at 400 North 9th Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Petitioners must submit fingerprints with their application, which are forwarded to the Central Criminal Records Exchange for verification. The Commonwealth's Attorney's Office reviews all expungement petitions and may contest the request.

If granted, an expungement order directs all agencies possessing records related to the arrest to remove such records from public access. These agencies include the Richmond Police Department, the Virginia State Police, the Richmond Sheriff's Office, and any other entities maintaining copies of the arrest documentation.

It should be noted that expungement in Virginia is not automatic, even in cases of acquittal or dismissal. The burden rests with the individual to initiate and complete the expungement process through proper legal channels.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Richmond, Virginia law establishes certain restrictions on access to protect privacy rights and the integrity of the criminal justice system. Pursuant to Code of Virginia § 2.2-3706, the following categories of information may be withheld from public disclosure:

Records related to ongoing criminal investigations
Information that would jeopardize the safety of any person
Records containing identifying information of juvenile arrestees under age 18
Information that would compromise undercover operations or confidential informants
Victim identifying information in cases involving sexual assault or domestic violence
Medical and health records of arrested individuals
Criminal investigative files in cases that are not ongoing but are exceptionally sensitive

The Richmond Police Department and the Richmond Sheriff's Office are authorized to withhold such information when responding to public records requests. Requestors who believe information has been improperly withheld may seek judicial review through the Richmond Circuit Court as provided in § 2.2-3713 of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.

Law enforcement agencies may also charge reasonable fees for the search, retrieval, and copying of arrest records. These fees are established to recover the actual cost of providing the requested information and must be disclosed to the requestor prior to processing.

Using Richmond Arrest Records for Background Checks

Employers, landlords, and other entities in Richmond may utilize public arrest records as part of background screening processes, subject to compliance with applicable federal and state laws. The following regulations govern the use of arrest records for background check purposes:

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) imposes requirements on third-party background screening companies that provide arrest record information to employers or landlords
Virginia Code § 19.2-392.4 prohibits employers from requiring disclosure of expunged arrest records
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidance advises employers to consider the nature of the offense, time elapsed, and relevance to the position when evaluating arrest records

Entities conducting background checks using Richmond arrest records must obtain proper authorization from the subject of the check and provide appropriate notices as required by law. The Richmond General District Court records, which include misdemeanor cases, and the Richmond Circuit Court records, which include felony cases, are commonly used sources for background screening purposes.

Public employers in Richmond, including the City of Richmond government, are subject to additional restrictions regarding the use of arrest records in employment decisions pursuant to Executive Order 41 (2015), which implemented "ban the box" policies for state agencies.