>Spotsylvania County Arrest Records Online

Spotsylvania County, Virginia Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Spotsylvania County, Virginia?

Arrest records are public documents in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA) § 2.2-3700 et seq. This legislation establishes the presumption that all government records are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law. The Virginia Public Records Act further mandates that local government agencies, including law enforcement entities, maintain and provide access to arrest records as part of their statutory obligations.

Members of the public may access these records to promote governmental transparency and accountability. The Commonwealth of Virginia recognizes that public access to arrest information serves several important functions:

Ensuring transparency in the criminal justice system
Allowing citizens to monitor law enforcement activities
Providing information that may be relevant to public safety
Supporting journalistic and research endeavors related to criminal justice

Certain portions of arrest records may be redacted or restricted when disclosure would compromise ongoing investigations, violate privacy rights protected by statute, or endanger individuals, as provided in § 2.2-3706 of the Code of Virginia.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Spotsylvania County?

Spotsylvania County provides digital access to certain arrest record information through official government portals. The Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office maintains an online database that includes recent arrest data, pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.2-3706.1, which governs law enforcement agencies' obligations regarding the release of criminal record information.

Online access to arrest records is subject to the following provisions:

Basic arrest information is typically available through the Sheriff's Office website
More comprehensive records may require formal requests through the Criminal Department of the Circuit Court
The Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System provides searchable court records related to criminal cases

Digital access to these records is provided in accordance with Virginia Code § 17.1-293, which establishes parameters for online access to court records while balancing privacy concerns and public information needs.

How to Look Up Spotsylvania County Arrest Records in 2025

Individuals seeking arrest records in Spotsylvania County may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The Commonwealth of Virginia has established multiple methods for accessing these public records in accordance with Code of Virginia § 2.2-3704, which outlines procedures for requesting public records.

In-Person Requests

Citizens may obtain arrest records by visiting the following agencies during regular business hours:

Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office
9119 Dean Ridings Lane
Spotsylvania, VA 22553
Phone: (540) 582-7115
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website

Spotsylvania County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
9107 Judicial Center Lane
Spotsylvania, VA 22553
Phone: (540) 507-7600
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Official Website

Written Requests

Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to the appropriate agency by mail. Pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.2-3704(B), agencies must respond to such requests within five working days. Requests should include:

Full name of the subject
Date of birth (if known)
Approximate date of arrest (if known)
Case number (if available)
Requestor's contact information

Online Access

Digital access to arrest information is available through:

The Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office website for recent arrest data
The Virginia Judiciary Case Information System for court records related to arrests
The Virginia Department of Corrections Inmate Locator for information on individuals currently incarcerated

Fees for copies of arrest records are established in accordance with Virginia Code § 2.2-3704(F) and may vary based on the format and volume of records requested.

Contents of a Spotsylvania County Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Spotsylvania County law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as prescribed by Virginia Code § 19.2-390, which governs the reporting of criminal history record information. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement resulting in arrest.

Standard arrest records typically include:

Subject's full legal name and any known aliases
Demographic information (date of birth, gender, race)
Physical descriptors (height, weight, eye and hair color, identifying marks)
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprint data collected at time of booking
Date, time, and location of arrest
Statutory charges filed, including Virginia Code citations
Name and badge number of arresting officer(s)
Agency case number and tracking information
Custody status information
Court appearance dates

Additional information that may be included in comprehensive arrest records:

Probable cause statements
Witness information (may be redacted)
Property/evidence seized during arrest
Miranda rights acknowledgment
Medical screening information
Bond/bail determination
Disposition information (if available)

The Spotsylvania General District Court and Circuit Court maintain related case records that document judicial proceedings following arrests.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Spotsylvania County

Under Virginia law, certain individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records in Spotsylvania County. The process is governed by Virginia Code § 19.2-392.2, which establishes eligibility criteria and procedures for removing arrest information from public access.

Eligibility Criteria

Expungement may be available in the following circumstances:

The individual was acquitted of all charges
Nolle prosequi was entered or the case was otherwise dismissed
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 made without probable cause

Individuals with convictions are generally ineligible for expungement under current Virginia law, with limited exceptions for certain misdemeanor marijuana possession offenses as provided in § 19.2-392.2(A)(2).

Expungement Process

The expungement procedure in Spotsylvania County requires:

Filing a petition for expungement with the Spotsylvania Circuit Court
Providing fingerprints to the law enforcement agency
Paying applicable filing fees (approximately $88 as of 2025)
Attending a hearing if required by the court
Obtaining a court order directing expungement if the petition is granted

Spotsylvania Circuit Court
9107 Judicial Center Lane
Spotsylvania, VA 22553
Phone: (540) 507-7600
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Official Website

Upon issuance of an expungement order, all agencies possessing records related to the arrest must remove them from public access and either seal or destroy them as directed by the court order, pursuant to § 19.2-392.2(F).