Alexandria City Arrest Records

An arrest in Alexandria City is a person’s first entry point into the criminal justice system. Offenders apprehended on reasonable cause, such as a report from a reliable witness, a pending warrant, or the officer’s testament, may be detained in custody at the Detention Center Bureau until their court appearance.

The Detention Center Bureau supervises the security of the William Truesdale Adult Detention Center which houses over 350 inmates including local, state, and federal inmates. Supposing there are no grounds to remand the person in custody, they may be released on bail, or asked to attend a court hearing within a fixed date.

Whatever the case, the arresting officer must document a detailed narration of the incident, stating the reason for the arrest, the suspect’s biometric data, and other vital details as listed in subsequent sections. The Alexandria City Sheriff’s office or municipal police department that conducted the arrest is responsible for maintaining and disseminating the information with other criminal justice agencies, including the court and Virginia State Police.

Consequently, interested persons may retrieve arrest information from official public records, such as Alexandria City court records, district attorney’s records, and inmate documents.

Are Arrest Records Public in Alexandria City?

Yes. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), VA. Code Ann. § 2.2-3701, governs the public’s fundamental right of access to review and reproduce copies of official records created and maintained during administrative assignments unless otherwise stated by state, federal, or City ordinance.

Alexandra City arrest records are one of such publicly disclosable information. Albeit certain exemptions may apply to confidential and sensitive records under VA. Code § 2.2-3706. A few typical records within the discretionary authority of the arresting agency include the following:

• Criminal investigative files, and information that may disclose tactical plans that may threaten the security of the general public or law enforcement personnel.
• Confidential reports submitted to state and local law enforcement agencies
• Information on inmates imprisoned in penal institutions;
• Records of adult offenders undergoing supervision or investigation at a local pretrial service agency, or state and local probation and parole services
• The personal information and identity of any crime victim or witness
• Sealed arrest records
• Juvenile records
• Non-criminal records, such as financial information and medical files

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Alexandria City provide an official account of the circumstances surrounding an arrest within the limits of the Virginia FOIA. These records guide the leading episodes of subsequent court proceedings.

The following are important components of an arrest record:

• The full name and known aliases of the arrestee
• The arrested person’s ethnicity, date of birth, and last known address
• The arrestee’s physical descriptors, such as hair color, identifiable csars, tattoos, height, weight, and eye color
• Alleged offense(s) for which they were arrested, the arrest charge(s), offense statute, and classification (misdemeanor, felony, or infraction)
• Booking number, mugshot, and detention facility
• Court information, such as the case number, date of the initial arraignment, and the court location
• Executed arrest warrants, and important notes
• Bail or bond information, including the bail amount set
• Scheduled release date, and conditions

Alexandria City Crime Rate

The Virginia State Police CJIS Data Analysis and Reporting Team page collects, compiles, and publishes annual crime statistics for Alexandria City using data submitted by the city’s law enforcement agency.

According to the 2023 Uniform Crime Reporting – Incident-Based Reporting, Alexandria City witnessed 9,442 offenses within the same year. The crime rate by offense type is 5,953.68 per 100,000. Crimes against persons accounted for 1,483.06, followed by crimes against property (4,103.64), and crimes against society at 366.98 tate.

In the same light, Crimes Against Property constituted 6,508 of the year's crime total, followed by Crimes Against Persons, with 2,352 offenses, and then Crimes Against Society, with 4,633 offenses (9.3%).

Among the Property Crimes perpetrated in Alexandria City in 2023, destruction/vandalism of property is the most dominant offense resulting in 1,396 incidents, followed by shoplifting with 1,147 occurrences. Likewise, Person Crimes recorded simple assault as the most recurring offense, accounting for 1,716 incidents. Intimidation and aggravated assault followed closely constituting 332, and 231 respectively.

Alexandria City Arrest Statistics

Alexandria City arrest statistics reveal that the city’s law enforcement recorded 1,488 arrests in 2023. Adult offenders dominated the list for group B offenses, with 1,806 arrest occurrences, while juvenile arrests accounted for 75 incidents.

Simple assault accounted for the most arrests with 504 occurrences. This is followed by shoplifting with 311 incidents, aggravated assault with 101 arrests, and 194 drug arrests.

Find Alexandria City Arrest Records

Per the Virginia FOIA, all public arrest records are presumed open but are withheld if a specific exemption applies. If any arrest information is withdrawn, the requester will be duly notified during the inquiry process, including the appropriate law or code section that permits the agency to withhold such details. The Alexandria Police Department is the custodian of all arrest records.

Generally, people may submit public record requests through the Alexandria Public Records Center provided by the city. However, the police department mandates inquirers to make requests for arrest records in person during business hours, contact the Information Services Division by phone at (703) 746-6200. Also, the individuals must either currently reside or work in the City of Alexandria.

Anyone requesting Alexandria City arrest records must present two government-issued forms of identification, one of which must be a photo ID. Obtaining an Alexandria-only arrest record may attract an applicable fee of $10, payable to the City of Alexandria Treasurer.

In-person visits and inquiries are attended to at the address below:

Alexandria Police Department
Information Services Section
3600 Wheeler Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22304

Often, someone may be arrested in the city but incarcerated in a state or federal prison. To find information on such inmates, one may query the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC). The DOC also provides an online Inmate Locator to search for an inmate’s location and release date using their name or ID number.

Finally, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) maintains an online Inmate Locator for users to track the location of federal prisoners by name or BOP number.

Free Arrest Record Search in Alexandria City

Members of the public may query the Alexandria law enforcement agency to view arrest records without incurring fees. This is also the case when exploring online databases maintained by the courts and other criminal justice departments. However, the record custodians may charge an applicable cost for processing or duplicating copies of these public records.

Where one prefers to perform an arrest record search without the aid of government resources, they may utilize third-party aggregator websites. Users may submit a search query to these platforms for free. However, a reasonable fee may be imposed if there is a need to print or view the information from the search results. Typical searches on these databases require basic information, such as the subject’s name.

Get Alexandria City Criminal Records

Alexandria City criminal records are the official documentation of arrests, offenses, convictions, and sentences of people who have passed through the city’s criminal justice system. VA. Code § 19.2-389 governs the dissemination of criminal history information in the Commonwealth.

Per this act, the Virginia State Police, which serves as the keeper of Virginia criminal histories may respond to eligible persons seeking such records. However, the VSP is restricted from disseminating juvenile record information except as provided in VA. Code § 19.2-389.1.

The Virginia State Police provides three methods of obtaining a Virginia criminal history record check within its custody:

• Criminal History Records Check (SP-167)

The SP-167 request method is available for members of the public, record owners, private companies, and out-of-state agencies. Once filled and printed, the requesting party must provide the notarized signature of the individual being searched and the agency or person receiving the SP-167 result. This kind of criminal record check costs $15, and an extra $15 for a Remote Online Electronic notarization through NotaryCam.

• Criminal History Records Check (SP-230)

Anyone utilizing this form for criminal record checks must be an employer or prospective employer in the state of Virginia. Unlike the SP-167 form request, this process only issues Virginia conviction data to the requester.

Non-criminal justice entities are authorized to obtain criminal record name searches using the SP-230 form. This includes adoption agencies, adult home care facilities, licensed and district adult homes, child and adult care centers, licensed assisted living facilities, alcoholic beverage control boards, volunteer agencies, foster care agencies, gaming commissions, security guard companies, and other approved entities.

Since these entities are statutorily permitted to perform criminal name searches, the State Police maintains the Non-criminal Justice Interface (NCJI) to provide electronic responses within 72 hours, or less. More information regarding this program is contained on the Central Criminal Records Exchange page.

This criminal records check procedure costs $29.

• National Criminal Background Check For Employees or Volunteers (SP-325)

The National Child Protection Act/Volunteers for Children Act (NCPA/VCA) authorizes a national fingerprint-based background check for screening prospective employees with access to children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities.

Regardless of what method of criminal record check a person prefers, the VSP offers in-person, online, and mail options. In-person visitors may fill out and drop off their forms at the Virginia Department of State Police Headquarters at 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, VA 23235. However, the form will not be processed on the same day.

Alternatively, applicants may mail in their forms to the following address:

Virginia State Police
Civil & Applicant Records Exchange (CARE)
7700 Midlothian Turnpike
North Chesterfield, Virginia 23235

Background checks require approximately 15 to 20 business days from the time of receipt after mail-in. The office does not offer expedited or same-day service.

In addition, Virginia law accommodates the submission of fingerprints for a state and federal search of fingerprint documents at $13.75 for the VSP CARE search and $13.25 for a search of the Federal Bureau of Investigation record. For more questions regarding background checks, applicants can email the VSP at Background_Checks@vsp.virginia.gov.

Alexandria City Police Department

The Alexandria City Police Department provides background checks for arrests made in the City of Alexandria. Also, they are available only to citizens who reside or work in the region, and contractors within the city. Applicants must request criminal history background checks by mail only to the address below:

Alexandria Police Department
Attn: Records Section
3600 Wheeler Ave
Alexandria, VA 22304

Mail requests must be accompanied by a $10 fee and two valid, unexpired government-issued forms of identification, one of these must be notarized and a picture ID. Criminal History Checks will only be conducted for citizens who reside or work in the City of Alexandria.

Other law enforcement agencies requesting background checks may fax their requests to (703) 746-1936. Each fax request must be made with an official agency letterhead and contain a signed release form. Also, the letterhead must provide the requestor's rank or title of office. However, the $10 fee does not apply to law enforcement parties.

Finally, people can explore the Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System (“OCIS 2.0”) to find criminal case information on offenders whose cases were adjudicated in the Alexandria City General District Court. The Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry is equally ideal for learning more about convicted sex offenders within the state.

Alexandria City Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

An Alexandria City arrest record details the circumstances and outcome of a person who has entered the sheriff’s custody for violating the code of Virginia, or local ordinance. The record provides the name of the arrestee, offenses, arresting agency, and outcome of the arrest.

In general, this is different from a criminal record. First, they are maintained by the Virginia State Police, while the city sheriff’s office and the police department disseminate arrest records.

Criminal records offer a broader synopsis of a person's past criminal actions. They include notations of arrests, charges, sentencing, incarceration, probation, and parole. Unlike an arrest record, criminal records hold more implications, especially during employment, housing applications, gun licensing, adoption, and other official processes.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Perpetually. Arrests stay on an individual’s record until the person petitions the court for sealing or expungement. At the moment, the Virginia statute does not automatically expunge arrest records. However, some records may qualify for automatic sealing or expungement starting July 1, 2025.

Expunge Alexandria City Arrest Records

An expungement in Alexandria City is a court action that erases police and court records in connection to a criminal case. For a person’s record to be expunged per VA. Code § 19.2-392.2, the following conditions must be considered:

• The individual was acquitted
• A nolle prosequi was entered by the prosecution team
• Charges were dismissed
• The defendant’s name was used in error
• The arrestee was granted an absolute pardon
• The person was previously convicted of marijuana possession

However, an expungement does not mean that the record is immediately destroyed rather it is removed from public access and sealed. However, records are typically destroyed three (3) years after the date the expungement order is entered.

Anyone petitioning the court for record expungement may follow the following instructions:

• The petitioner should first obtain four (4) copies of the arrest records or charges to be expunged
• Next, fill out and submit an original copy of the Petition for Expungement, a draft Order of Expungement, and three extra copies of these documents to the Clerk of Circuit Court.
• The copies will be distributed to the Commonwealth’s Attorney, a law enforcement agency to request fingerprints, and one for the petitioner’s records.
• Obtain one complete set of fingerprints from a law enforcement agency. For example, the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office processes fingerprint requests for expungement petitioners during business hours at the courthouse. There is no fee for this service. Interested persons may call (703) 746-4120
• During fingerprinting, the law enforcement agency handling this request may request a copy of the Petition for Expungement and copies of the arrest record, warrant, or charges.
• Then, the agency will forward the fingerprints, along with a copy of the Petition for Expungement to the Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE).
• The CCRE will search the database using the fingerprints, retrieve the Petitioner’s criminal history, and return the results to the Clerk of Circuit Court along with the fingerprint card
• If necessary, the court may fix a hearing date for the record expungement

Applicants may proceed “Pro Se” meaning that they are acting as their own legal attorney, and are responsible for filing the appropriate forms and documents. Expungement may attract a filing fee of $86.

However, if the court grants the expungement petition, the petitioner will receive a refund. The Alexandria Circuit Court Expungement Packet provides more detailed information.

Alexandria City Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a written directive issued by a judicial officer empowering peace officers to arrest and remand a person in custody. Warrants are generally issued when someone violates a court order, commits a criminal offense, or violates their probation/parole order.

In Alexandria City, only judges of the circuit and general district court may issue an arrest warrant upon an affiant’s oath/affidavit providing probable cause for the warrant. According to the U.S. Fourth Amendment, there must be an existing ground to believe that an individual committed said offense within a certain jurisdiction or location. Otherwise, the warrant will be legally nulled.

An arrest warrant must include the name and physical description of the subject to be arrested, the alleged offense, the court and agency of issuance, the name of the executing officer, and the name/signature of the issuing officer.

Alexandria City Arrest Warrant Search

To find active or pending arrest warrants in Alexandria City, the requesting parties must visit the police headquarters with an ID. Warrant information is not disseminated over the phone.

In addition, one may visit the Virginia Judicial Online Case Information System 2.0 (“OCIS 2.0”) to find summons and warrants issued for any criminal case proceedings. Supposing one does not find pertinent information online, they may visit the presiding court or call the clerk's office at (703)746-4044.

Do Alexandria City Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Alexandria City arrest warrant remains outstanding until it is served. This may mean that the subject turns themselves in or is apprehended by a law enforcement officer.