Waynesboro County, Virginia Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Waynesboro County, Virginia?
Arrest records are public in Waynesboro County, 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. Arrest records are categorized as public records and are maintained for purposes of transparency in law enforcement operations and judicial proceedings.
The Virginia Freedom of Information Act specifically addresses criminal records in § 2.2-3706, which mandates that law enforcement agencies shall make available information relative to the identity of any individual who has been arrested and charged with a crime. This provision ensures that members of the public, including media representatives, researchers, and concerned citizens, may access these records to monitor the activities of law enforcement agencies and the judicial system.
Certain components of arrest records may be redacted or withheld if they fall under specific exemptions outlined in the VFOIA, such as information that would jeopardize an ongoing investigation or compromise the safety of law enforcement personnel. However, the general principle of public accessibility remains intact for most arrest record information in Waynesboro County.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Waynesboro County?
Waynesboro County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms, in accordance with Virginia's commitment to government transparency and public information access. The Waynesboro Police Department maintains a Daily Arrest Blotter on the official city website, which provides current information regarding recent arrests within the jurisdiction.
The Virginia Judiciary Case Information System also offers online access to court records, including those related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings. This system is maintained pursuant to the Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia and provides case status information for matters processed through the General District Courts, Circuit Courts, and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts.
Additionally, the Virginia Department of Corrections maintains an online inmate locator that allows the public to verify if an individual is currently incarcerated following an arrest and conviction. This resource provides information regarding the location and projected release date of inmates under the custody of the Virginia Department of Corrections.
It should be noted that while these online resources provide substantial information, they may not contain complete arrest records. Certain details may be omitted due to privacy considerations, ongoing investigations, or technical limitations of the online systems. For comprehensive arrest record information, individuals may need to supplement online searches with in-person requests at relevant government offices.
How to Look Up Waynesboro County Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking Waynesboro County arrest records have multiple official channels through which to obtain this information. The following procedures have been established to facilitate public access to these records:
Submit a records request to the Waynesboro Police Department Records Division:
- In person at 250 S. Wayne Avenue, Suite 102, Waynesboro, VA 22980
- By telephone at 540-942-6675 during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
- Through the online records request portal
Visit the Waynesboro Circuit Court Clerk's Office:
- Located at 250 S. Wayne Avenue, Suite 307, Waynesboro, VA 22980
- Operating hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- Telephone: 540-942-6616
- The Circuit Court maintains records of felony cases and related arrest information
Contact the Waynesboro Sheriff's Office:
- Located at 250 S. Wayne Avenue, Suite 102, Waynesboro, VA 22980
- Telephone: 540-942-6639
- The Sheriff's Office can provide information regarding arrests and individuals in custody
Check the Waynesboro General District Court records:
- Located at 250 S. Wayne Avenue, Suite 203, Waynesboro, VA 22980
- Telephone: 540-942-6621
- Hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Inquire with the Middle River Regional Jail:
- Located at 350 Technology Drive, Staunton, VA 24401
- Telephone: 540-245-5420
- This facility houses individuals arrested in Waynesboro County and maintains booking records
When requesting arrest records, requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate the search, including the full name of the individual, date of birth or approximate age, and the approximate date of the arrest if known. Pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.2-3704, agencies have five working days to respond to records requests, though this period may be extended by an additional seven working days with proper notification to the requestor.
Fees for copies of arrest records are established in accordance with Virginia Code § 2.2-3704(F) and are designed to cover the actual cost of accessing, duplicating, supplying, or searching for the requested records. Payment methods typically include cash, check, or money order, with some agencies now accepting credit card payments.
Contents of a Waynesboro County Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Waynesboro County law enforcement agencies and court systems contain standardized information as prescribed by Virginia state law and local regulations. These records typically include the following components:
Biographical information of the arrested individual:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Gender and race (for identification purposes only)
Arrest details:
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory authority under which the arrest was made
- Whether the arrest was made pursuant to a warrant or probable cause
Criminal charges:
- Specific Virginia Code sections allegedly violated
- Classification of charges (felony, misdemeanor, or violation)
- Brief description of the alleged criminal activity
- Weapon involvement, if applicable
Post-arrest processing information:
- Booking number and facility
- Fingerprint and photograph documentation
- Property inventory taken at booking
- Bail or bond determination
- Initial court appearance date
Case disposition information:
- Court of jurisdiction
- Case number assigned by the court
- Preliminary hearing outcomes
- Trial dates and proceedings
- Final disposition (conviction, acquittal, dismissal)
Pursuant to Virginia Code § 19.2-390, law enforcement agencies are required to report arrest information to the Central Criminal Records Exchange maintained by the Virginia State Police. This reporting ensures that arrest records are properly documented and accessible to authorized agencies throughout the Commonwealth.
It should be noted that juvenile arrest records (individuals under 18 years of age) are subject to additional confidentiality protections under Virginia Code § 16.1-301, and access to such records is significantly restricted compared to adult arrest records.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Waynesboro County
The Commonwealth of Virginia provides statutory mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances, as codified in Virginia Code § 19.2-392.2. Expungement procedures in Waynesboro County adhere to these state regulations and are processed through the Waynesboro Circuit Court.
Individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records in the following circumstances:
- The individual was acquitted of all charges
- A nolle prosequi was taken or the charges were otherwise dismissed, including dismissal by accord and satisfaction
- The individual was granted 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 petitioners to:
- File a petition for expungement with the Waynesboro Circuit Court
- Pay the required filing fee (currently $88.00)
- Obtain a complete set of fingerprints from a law enforcement agency
- Submit the petition with supporting documentation to the court clerk
Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court forwards copies to the Commonwealth's Attorney for Waynesboro, who has 21 days to file an objection or response. If the Commonwealth's Attorney objects, a hearing will be scheduled. If no objection is filed, the court may rule on the petition without a hearing.
For cases involving misdemeanor charges that were dismissed, the petitioner must demonstrate that the continued existence of the arrest record causes or may cause circumstances that constitute a manifest injustice to the petitioner. For felony charges that were dismissed, the standard of proof is higher, requiring clear and convincing evidence that the continued existence of the record would constitute a manifest injustice.
If the court grants the petition for expungement, an order is issued to all agencies possessing records pertaining to the arrest, requiring them to remove these records from public access and seal them. These agencies include the Waynesboro Police Department, Virginia State Police, and any other entities that maintain such records.
Expunged records are not destroyed but are sealed and may only be accessed by court order for specific purposes authorized by law. The practical effect of expungement is that the individual may legally state that they have never been arrested for the expunged charge when completing applications for employment, housing, or other purposes.
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