>Suffolk City County Arrest Records Online

Suffolk Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Suffolk, Virginia?

Arrest records are public in Suffolk, Virginia, pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA), Code of Virginia § 2.2-3700 et seq. This legislation establishes the public's right to access records maintained by public bodies, including law enforcement agencies operating within Suffolk. The VFOIA specifically designates arrest records as public information, with certain limited exceptions for ongoing investigations or protected personal information.

The Suffolk Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state regulations and makes them available through established protocols. Public access to arrest records serves multiple civic functions, including ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations, facilitating background checks, and supporting journalistic and research endeavors related to criminal justice.

Members of the public should note that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests as specified under § 2.2-3706(B) of the Code of Virginia, particularly in cases involving juveniles, sexual assault victims, or confidential informants.

How to Look Up Suffolk Arrest Records in 2025

Suffolk residents and interested parties may access arrest records through several official channels established by local authorities. The following methods are available for conducting arrest record searches in Suffolk:

Online Virginia Court Case Information System: The Virginia Judiciary provides a statewide search portal for criminal case information. Users can search by name to locate arrest records and associated court proceedings in Suffolk.
Suffolk Police Department Records Division: Individuals may request arrest records directly from the Suffolk Police Department. The Records Division processes these requests during regular business hours.

Suffolk Police Department
111 Henley Place
Suffolk, VA 23434
Phone: 757-514-7915
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Suffolk Circuit Court Clerk's Office: The Clerk's Office maintains records of arrests that have resulted in court proceedings. These records can be accessed in person at the courthouse.

Suffolk Circuit Court Clerk's Office
150 North Main Street
Suffolk, VA 23434
Phone: 757-514-7800
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Suffolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court: For cases involving juveniles or domestic matters, records may be available through the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, though access is more restricted due to privacy protections.

When requesting records in person, requestors must present valid government-issued identification and may be required to complete a formal records request form. Pursuant to § 2.2-3704 of the Code of Virginia, agencies must respond to requests within five working days, though complex requests may qualify for a seven-day extension.

Contents of a Suffolk Arrest Record

Suffolk arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Virginia law and local record-keeping protocols. A comprehensive arrest record typically includes the following components:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, date of birth, physical description (height, weight, identifying marks), and residential address of the arrested individual
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; arresting agency; name and badge number of the arresting officer; and the legal authority under which the arrest was made
Criminal Charges: Specific violations of state code or local ordinances, including the statute number and description of each offense
Case Processing Information: Booking details, fingerprint records, photograph (mugshot), assigned case numbers, and custody status
Court Information: Initial appearance date, bail or bond amount if applicable, and scheduled court dates
Disposition Data: Final outcome of the case, including dismissal, conviction, sentencing information, or other resolution

Pursuant to § 19.2-390 of the Code of Virginia, law enforcement agencies must report specific arrest information to the Central Criminal Records Exchange maintained by the Virginia State Police. This reporting requirement ensures consistency in record-keeping across jurisdictions within the Commonwealth.

Members of the public should be aware that certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and information related to victims of certain crimes.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Suffolk

The Commonwealth of Virginia provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in § 19.2-392.2 of the Code of Virginia. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access and, in some cases, destroyed.

In Suffolk, individuals may petition for expungement if they meet one of the following criteria:

The individual was acquitted of all charges
The prosecution was formally dismissed (nolle prosequi)
The charge was otherwise dismissed, including dismissal by accord and satisfaction
The individual received an absolute pardon for a crime they did not commit

The expungement process requires petitioners to file formal documentation with the Suffolk Circuit Court. The procedure involves:

Filing a petition for expungement with the Circuit Court clerk
Payment of the required filing fee (approximately $88 as of 2025)
Fingerprinting at an authorized facility
Serving the Commonwealth's Attorney with a copy of the petition
Attending a scheduled hearing before a Circuit Court judge

Suffolk Circuit Court
Mills E. Godwin, Jr. Courts Building
150 North Main Street
Suffolk, VA 23439
Phone: 757-514-7800
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

It is important to note that under Virginia law, expungement is not available in cases resulting in conviction or in cases where the charge was reduced as part of a plea agreement. Additionally, individuals with prior criminal convictions may face greater challenges in obtaining expungement.

Successful expungement results in the removal of arrest records from public databases, though certain government agencies may retain access to the information for law enforcement and security purposes pursuant to § 19.2-392.3.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records in Suffolk are generally public, several statutory exceptions limit access to certain information. These restrictions are designed to balance transparency with privacy concerns and the integrity of the justice system.

The following categories of information are subject to restricted access under Virginia law:

Juvenile Records: Pursuant to § 16.1-301, records involving individuals under 18 years of age are confidential and not available to the general public except by court order.
Expunged Records: Records that have been legally expunged are removed from public access in accordance with § 19.2-392.2.
Ongoing Investigations: Information that would jeopardize active criminal investigations may be temporarily withheld under § 2.2-3706(A)(2).
Victim Information: Personal identifying information of victims, particularly in cases involving sexual offenses, domestic violence, or stalking, is protected under § 19.2-11.2.
First Offender Programs: Records related to certain first-time offenders participating in deferred disposition programs may have limited public accessibility.

Law enforcement agencies and court clerks in Suffolk are required to apply these restrictions when processing public records requests. Requestors seeking information that falls within these protected categories may be denied access or provided with redacted records in accordance with applicable statutes.