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Virginia Arrest Records Search

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The following is for informational purposes only

How to Look Up Criminal Records in Virginia

According to Section 19.2-389 of the Code of VA, the state provides criminal records including arrests to the general public upon request. The state keeps a central repository of all Virginia arrest records and criminal records. They require that the public use a particular form to request copies of documents and in some cases, they also need the person's consent. Each state record request costs $27, but since they are processed through fingerprints, there is an additional charge of $13.25 for fingerprinting. When filling out a request form, the requestor will need to have it notarized.

Are Virginia Arrest Records Public?

VA honors the Freedom of Information Act by allowing public access to criminal and arrest records. When requesting someone’s criminal arrest records, the person must use a specific form and pay the fee. Arrest record requests are processed via fingerprints for an exact match. The requestor may also need to have the form notarized before submitting it.

Victims & Offenders by Gender and Race

Offenders by Gender

Victims by Gender

Offenders by Race

Black or African American53%
White38%
Unknown8%
Asian1%
Native Hawaiian0%
Offenders w/ reported race3,562

Victims by Race

Black or African American43%
White53%
Unknown2%
Asian2%
Native Hawaiian0%
Victims w/ reported race3,765

What Information Does Arrest Records Virginia Report Include?

What Information You Can Find in Virginia Arrest Report?

A Virginia arrest record, sometimes known as a RAP sheet will show a ton of useful information like name, address, phone, email, gender, race, height, weight, physical description, tattoos, scars, mugshots, and sometimes even fingerprints. Along with that, arrest details, charges, convictions, dispositions, jail time, fines, fees, bond, and bail paid, pleas, the dates of arrest, location and times will show. Additionally, if any vehicles were involved and the arresting officer’s name and agency will be on there as well.

Virginia Police Reports and Mugshots

Are Virginia Police Reports Public Record?

Police reports in Virginia are public records. Each city and town has a specific way of handling requests. Virginia Beach, for example, has set up a web portal called ePRO to handle public requests for police reports and crash reports. Both are free of charge. They list their options as:

“1 Neighborhood Crimes Report - provides the ability to create citywide crime summary reports and detailed crime reports for a neighborhood, street, precinct, or police zone based on user selection criteria.

2 Incident Reportsprovides the ability to create a public copy of a police incident report based on case number (preferred) or date and street user selection criteria.

3 Traffic Accident Reports  – provides the ability to create a public copy of a police accident report based on case number (preferred) or date and street user selection criteria.

4 Active Warrant Search - provides the ability to search active warrants.

5 Report an Offense   - provides the ability to submit selected non-emergency offenses. If this is an emergency, please call 911.”

These reports are a modified version of the original. If you require an actual copy of the paper document, you can get one using a special form and paying $2.

Virginia Mugshots

The Virginia State Police have set up a consolidated system so that all counties and local police stations can submit their mugshots to one location. They provide very detailed instructions on how to pose the suspect, the lighting, the type of camera to use, background, and other details. All Virginia law enforcement agencies are allowed to use this system. The general public must contact local police to get copies of someone’s mugshot. You can sometimes find them on news websites or public service portals also.

Mugshots were first used back in the 1800s by a man named Alphonse Bertillon. He standardized the look, pose, and background. Now, almost all types of law enforcement agencies around the world use his template. Mugshots are handy when identifying suspects and criminals.

Virginia Arrest Booking Process

The Virginia arrest process is somewhat backward from most states. Upon being arrested, you will be handcuffed and taken immediately to the magistrate, who will hear the charges against you and supply police with a warrant. After that, the police will take you to the Sheriff’s station or detention center for booking.

The booking process will include basic questions like your name, address, birth date, and phone number. They will also fingerprint you and take your mugshot. They may have a health professional examine you and ask if you take any medications. You may be allowed to be released on a bond or held in jail until your trial.

Most suspects will see the same magistrate for the entire process, initial hearing, bond hearing, and trial.

Violent Crime Rates for the last 10 years

The crime rate has decreased over the past decade in Virginia, going from 13,928 crimes in 2006 to 8,578 by 17% lower than it was back in 2006. The largest percentage of violent crimes falls into the Aggravated Assault category, with Revised Rape being the least popular crime in the state.

Virginia Violent Crime Rate Change

Arrest Law

Virginia Arrest Laws

Police officers can arrest someone in this state with an arrest warrant. VA officers can also arrest someone who commits a crime in front of them, or they have reasonable cause to believe someone committed a felony although not in their presence. Officers may also arrest someone they suspect is operating a vehicle (including watercraft) under the influence of drugs or alcohol. These same officers can arrest someone after a motor vehicle accident if they have probable cause to suspect that someone committed an offense while driving.

Who has a Power of Arrest?

Officers that have the power to arrest someone in this state include state police, sheriffs, county police. Others authorized to arrest per the law are: “the Commissioner, members and employees of the Marine Resources Commission, regular conservation police officers, United States Coast Guard and United States Coast Guard Reserve commissioned, warrant, and petty officers, conservation officers, full-time sworn members of the enforcement division of the Department of Motor Vehicles, special agents of the VA Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority; campus police officers, and members of the Division of Capitol Police.”

How Long Will an Arrest Report Stay on Virginia Criminal Records Report?

Many arrest records will stay on a VA criminal record forever. If the offender was arrested and not charged with a crime, or the charges were dropped, or they were found not guilty, they have the option of expungement. Also, if they received a pardon for their crime or someone stole their identity, and they were falsely accused, they may be eligible for expungement. Additionally, some minor misdemeanor convictions are eligible for expungement too.

Can You Expunge Your Criminal Records?

Yes. VA offers expungement for arrests that never resulted in a conviction and some minor offenses that did result in a conviction. Pardoned convictions can also be expunged. Offenders will have to petition the court for expungement, get a copy of their fingerprints and also pay a fee. The process usually takes about three months for completion. Some serious, violent arrests will stay on their record forever.

The Arrest Rate in Virginia

Arrest Rate in Virginia

For the year 2017, VA incurred 135,409 Group A arrests and 147,578 Group B arrests. Of the overall total 282,987, 46,172 of those were drug charges. Men committed the majority of the offenses (108584). Women committed the remainder (38994). Marijuana charges comprised more than 61% of the drug offenses.

State Offender and Victim Age Group Statistics

Most of the violent crime offenders in Virginia were 20-29 and the largest percentage of violent crime victims were 20-29.

Offender Age

Unknown15.0%
0-90.3%
10-1919.9%
20-2930.4%
30-3917.6%
40-498.8%
50-596.0%
60-691.5%
70-790.3%
80-890.1%
90-990.0%
Offenders w/ reported age17,996

Victim Age

0-94.6%
10-1920.1%
20-2930.5%
30-3919.6%
40-4911.7%
50-598.6%
60-693.5%
70-791.0%
80-890.3%
90-990.1%
Victims w/ reported age18,152

Crime Victim Demographics

Residence Home is the place where the majority of crimes in Virginia were committed, in most of the crime cases the offender was a relationship unknown.

Location Type

Residence Home8,941
Highway/Alley/Street/Sidewalk3,862
Parking Garage/Lot1,530
Convenience Store1,016
Hotel/Motel585
Unknown393
Restaurant393
Bank323
School Elementary/Secondary280
Field/Woods265

Victim’s Relationship to the Offender

Relationship Unknown6,381
Stranger3,963
Acquaintance3,611
Boyfriend/Girlfriend1,685
Otherwise Known1,540
Friend701
Child674
Spouse630
Offender458
Other Family Member421

Virginia Arrest Records by Type of Crime

The popular arrests for 2017 in Virginia was for All Other Offenses (except traffic) - 91,196, the same popularity of the arrest type was seen in Alabama, Alaska, and Arizona. The least popularity had Gambling arrests - with only 26 crimes a year.

Arrest TypeUnder 18All agesTotal arrests
Violent Crime7097,0687,777
Property Crime3,55326,58230,135
Murder & Non-negligent Manslaughter24337361
Rape59430489
Robbery3211,6331,954

Virginia Department of State Police

Is your State Safer than Virginia?

Select your state and find out:

Virginia
Crime rate - 2,881
The crime rate in the last 5 years - up by 17%

5 Safest Counties in the Area

A list of 5 counties in Virginia that have the lowest arrest rate in 2017

Virginia Arrest Records Search
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