According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer Report, Washington County accounts for 160 arrests out of approximately 214,000 arrests in Virginia. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act enables the public to find records related to government activities. However, not all records are open, as particular records are exempt from public disclosure. Such records include ongoing criminal investigation records, while juvenile and domestic relations records are restricted, requiring a court order to access them. Parties that may still have access to this information are the local law enforcement authorities, such as the police and the County Attorney. A criminal history record information costs $15 from the Virginia State Police.
Many agencies are state-authorized to accept requests from the public for accessing arrest records. Such include the local police department, the Sheriff's Office, and the county's criminal court of justice.
Interested persons may use the Freedom of Information Act Form to request arrest records from the Washington County Sheriff's Office. Copies of records cost $0.02 per page, and the office is open from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. In addition, you may access arrest records by visiting the Sheriff's Office to request records at:
Public Safety Building
20281 Rustic Lane
Abingdon, VA 24210
Many records related to arrest information are housed in the Police Departments present in Washington County. Arrest records may be obtained from the arresting agency. This will require a mail-in request or a visit to their office in person to inspect or copy such records. The following are some of the Police Departments serving the Washington County community:
A criminal history record check may be requested from the Virginia State Police (VSP) by the general public, out-of-state agencies, and private companies. However, you will need the consent of the individual signed on paper before carrying out such a check. Requesters will be required to also provide their names, mailing addresses, signatures, notarizations, and fees before processing their requests. To obtain arrest records from the VSP, you may follow these guidelines:
You may obtain arrest records from the VSP by filling out the Freedom of Information Act Form and sending your request by mail, in person, fax, or online. You will be required to provide your name and your address before processing your request. Thereafter, records will be provided within five working days. Furthermore, employers may obtain a criminal history record on their employees by completing this form.
The Circuit Court handles criminal cases, and most criminal adjudications are decided in this court. The Circuit Court Clerk is by statute the record keeper and preserves criminal court records involving trials held at the Circuit Court. To view court records online in Virginia, you can access the Virginia Court System website. This site offers various search tools, including the Statewide Search, for finding information on cases in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Circuit Court, and General District Court. You can search by name, case number, or hearing date. Interested parties seeking court records may do so at the Washington County Courthouse at:
189 East Main Street
Abingdon, VA 24210
Many third-party websites assist record seekers in finding records related to the criminal history of an individual. One of these websites is InfoTracer, with a proven track record of providing reliable information.
The table below shows the arrest statistics obtained from the FBI Crime Data Explorer website for Washington County.
| Arrest Type | Number of Arrests |
|---|---|
| Robbery | 1 |
| Aggravated Assault | 2 |
| Burglary | 0 |
| Arson | 0 |
| Driving Under the Influence | 12 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 0 |
| Larceny | 26 |
| Disorderly Conduct | 5 |
| Drug/Narcotic | 28 |
| Simple Assault | 18 |
| Vandalism | 2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 0 |
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer
It is situated in Washington county, Virginia with a total number of 82 employees - 3 female, 58 male officers and 21 civilians. Washington County SO ORI (Originated Agency Identifier) number is VA0940000, it belongs to the South Atlantic division in the South region with a region code of Region III.
| Department | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Abingdon Police Department | 133 West Main StreetAbingdon, VA 24210 | 276.628.3111 |
| Damascus Police Department | 208 W Laural St | 276-475-3341 |
| Glade Spring Police Department | 113 E Glade St | 276-429-5134 |
| Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Southwest Virginia Regional Jail Authority - Abingdon Facility | 15205 Joe Derting Drive | 276-739-3520 |