Virginia Criminal Records

How do I find arrest records in Virginia?

Arrest records can be found through the local courts throughout the state, the local sheriff, the Virginia State Police, and third-party websites. Most of these resources will contain a small fee, so deciding which one to use is most convenient.

How do I find criminal records in Virginia?

The Criminal Record Check Section of the Virginia State Police is the entity responsible for managing all the criminal records requests, whether they come from private citizens, private companies, non profit institutions, public institutions, or other law enforcement agencies. The way of performing such background checks is to present the proper form, downloadable from the Criminal Record Check Section's website, in a notarized document, and pay the appropriate fee, usually $15. As an interesting side note, there is no need to notify the subject of the record that their criminal history is being checked.

Are arrest records public in Virginia?

Anyone in Virginia can access arrest records unless the arrest has been expunged. Arrests are separate from criminal records because they only provide details on the person's arrest, not if the person was convicted of a crime or proven guilty or not guilty.

How do I look up court records in Virginia?

Court records can be found by contacting the municipal court in the local area. Additionally, court records are contained online and held by the courts, third-party websites, and a couple of other government agencies.

How do I find an inmate in Virginia?

The Virginia Department of Corrections has an online Offender Locator tool, a search engine that allows the visitor to locate any inmates in the State of Virginia. The locator allows searches by name or by offender ID number. Searches by name must include a full last name and at last the first two letters of the first name.

What information is inside an inmate record in Virginia?

The inmate record contains relevant information relating to the inmate. This includes the location of the inmate, parole status, probation status, remaining sentence, and prior convictions. The inmate records are used to keep track of people held at facilities and are made available to the public to hold the prison system accountable.

How do I find sex offenders in Virginia?

The Virginia State Police oversees and manages the Virginia sex offender registry. The registry has a strong online presence, featuring a powerful search engine. The user can search by name, city, ZIP code, address, or county. The returned records are exhaustive and complete, including a picture, full name, known aliases, physical description, list of offenses committed, address, workplace, and a map indicating the whereabouts of the offender, as well as some more relevant information. Visit the Virginia State Police website to check out the sex offender registry.

Are juvenile criminal records sealed in Virginia?

Unlike most states, juvenile criminal records are much more likely to stay on your record in Virginia. If you committed a felony as a juvenile, that would stay on your record permanently. Misdemeanors will go away after a juvenile turns 19. Driving incidents can stay on one's driving record till the age of 29.

Does Virginia have the death penalty?

Virginia has abolished the death penalty as of February 2021. Virginia has executed over 113 prisoners since 1976. Virginia is the first southern state to abolish the death penalty. Having the death penalty has been a controversial topic for a long time. There are many ethical questions that come with having the death penalty, and there are certain instances where the method of execution was cruel and unjust.

How do I expunge my criminal record in Virginia?

One's criminal record cannot be expunged in Virginia. If you were found guilty of a crime by the court, then the crime will remain on your record for the rest of your life. The only thing that can be expunged is arrests in order to protect innocent people who did not commit a crime.

How far back does a criminal background check go in Virginia?

Virginia is not one of the seven-year states, so background checks will show all prior convictions on a criminal record. A seven-year state is a state that has adopted some form of law that protects potential job applicants by hiding convictions older than seven years from employers.

What is considered a misdemeanor in Virginia?

A misdemeanor is a lesser crime in Virginia. The sentence cannot be longer than 12 months in local county jail. There are four different classes with differing maximum sentences. Fines can also be included in the sentence. Examples of misdemeanors include:

Driving under the influence

Driving without a license

Violating a custody order

Public intoxication

What is considered a felony in Virginia?

Felonies are the more severe crime in Virginia that can result in much harsher sentences. There are six different classes, and the highest class, Class 1, can have a sentence of life imprisonment. It is highly recommended to hire a lawyer if you are convicted of a felony because felonies can severely impact one's life, especially when applying for a job. Examples of felonies are:

Murder

Burglary with a weapon

Human trafficking

Credit card forgery

What information is inside a criminal record in Virginia?

Criminal records contain information relevant to one's criminal past. This can include arrests, convictions, sentencing, offenses, and court information. It also includes personal information, such as name, height and weight, eye color, and race. It can also show active warrants.

Are criminal records available to the public in Virginia?

Chapter 37 of Title 2.2 of the Code of Virginia, also known as the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, ensures that all government records, including criminal records, must be made public. There are, however, a few exceptions to this rule: If the records have any relationship with any ongoing investigation, or if the dissemination of the records could put the subject's life in jeopardy, or if the records contain any information regarding any ongoing undercover operation, or if the records are relevant to any juvenile offense, these records will not be made available to the public.

Will employers see my arrests in Virginia?

Unless the arrest is expunged, there is always a chance an employer could find a prior arrest. Certain background check services do not list arrests, but it depends on which one the employer uses. This can cause many difficulties because if someone was arrested for a crime they didn't commit, then it can still cause detriment to their lives.

What happens if you get a DUI for the first time in Virginia?

First-time DUI offenses could involve jail time, the suspension of your license, and fines. If you were convicted of a DUI, then you should hire a lawyer. Lawyers can reduce your potential sentence or prove you not guilty, which means that there is no punishment. It is definitely worth the money to hire one if you can afford it.

How do I get a Fairfax County police report?

To get a police report in Fairfax County, you can call the Central Records office. Their number is 703-246-2272. Additionally, you could visit 12099 Government Center Parkway Fairfax, VA 22035. A police record is information an officer collects related to a certain arrest or crime.