Amherst County Arrest Records

Amherst County arrest records are government files concerning arrest events. The files may reveal the arrestee's names and personal information, criminal charges, booking date, bond amount, and the arresting officer's names.

Arrests become necessary when an individual is suspected of violating state or federal laws. Law enforcement officers have the legal right to arrest suspected offenders and persons likely to disrupt lives and property. Arrestees are detained at the county's detention center pending the outcome of further investigations.

In Amherst County, the county sheriff's office generates arrest records after conducting an arrest. The agency may also maintain and disclose the records to interested persons or entities.

Interested parties can also find arrest information in other public files and documents. For example, Amherst County court records may include information such as the arrestee's name, charges, and bond amount.

Are Arrest Records Public in Amherst County?

Under the Virginia Public Records Act, most arrest records in Amherst County are accessible to the public. The public can view and get copies of the records from specific public agencies. These agencies are responsible for maintaining and releasing arrest information upon request from the public. For instance, the Amherst County Sheriff's Office allows in-person requests for arrest documents. Interested persons must request during the office's open hours at this address:

115 Taylor Street
Amherst, VA 24521
Phone: (434) 946-9300

Nevertheless, some arrest records are not open to the public. Such exempt records may contain information whose disclosure is judged not to be in the public interest. Exempt arrest records in Amherst County may include the following:

• Identifying information about victims, complainants, and witnesses of a criminal activity.
• Juvenile arrestee's personal information.
• Photographs of adult arrestees taken during initial booking procedures.
• Confidential documents submitted to law enforcement agencies.
• Information that may reveal the identities of undercover agents and missions.

Amherst County Arrest Statistics

The Virginia Sheriff's Association creates an annual arrest statistics report for all the state's counties. Per the agency's report, the Amherst County Sheriff's Office made 408 arrests in 2023.
There is no county-level inmate statistics report. However, the Virginia Department of Corrections provides access to regional and state-level inmate statistics. According to the agency, the state's correctional centers housed 21,757 inmates as of March 2025.

Find Amherst County Arrest Records

In Amherst County, interested persons or entities can find and view arrest information in inmate records. Such records may include arrest-related data like the arrestee's name, physical description, mugshot, and arrest charges.

Amherst County inmate records are under the purview of local, state, and federal agencies. At the local level, the county's adult detention center hosts a searchable portal for current inmates. Inquirers can look up inmate information on the portal by filling out relevant search data.

The Virginia Department of Corrections, via an online database, maintains information on inmates held in state correctional facilities. To view records on the platform, inquirers must input the inmate's name or inmate I.D.

In contrast, the Federal Bureau of Prisons hosts a search portal for inmates held in federal correctional facilities. Inquirers using the portal must input the inmate's name or number.

Amherst County Arrest Records vs. Criminal Records

Amherst County arrest records are quite different from criminal records. The records generally differ based on their content, custodian agency, and outcome.

Based on the records' content, arrest records only contain information generated in relation to an arrest event. Such records typically include the arrestee's name, physical description, charges, booking information, and bond amount. In contrast, criminal records provide access to an offender's criminal past. The records are a compilation of arrest, court, and incarceration information.

Arresting agencies, such as the county sheriff's office, create and maintain arrest records. The agency creates arrest records after conducting an arrest event. On the other hand, Amherst County criminal records are under the jurisdiction of the state's police department. The state police create criminal records by collecting all information about an individual's criminal history.

The records also differ in terms of their outcomes. Arrest records do not indicate if the arrestee was tried for the crime, so they can not be used against them. However, criminal records contain evidence that an individual violated state or federal statutes. These records may cause discrimination in employment or in society's functions.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Amherst County arrest records will remain a part of an individual's public files unless they are sealed or expunged. To expunge or seal arrest records, you must meet these criteria:

• The charges were dismissed
• You were not found guilty and were acquitted by the court.
• You were arrested due to a stolen or mistaken identity.

You can expunge arrest records by filing a petition with the circuit court. The petition must contain the petitioner's data, criminal charges, and a copy of the arrest warrant or summons. After considering various factors, the Amherst County circuit court may review and grant the petition. For instance, the court may grant the petition if the record will cause discrimination against the offender.

Amherst County Arrest Warrants

In Amherst County, arrest warrants are court orders that empower peace officers to arrest persons suspected of violating the law. Under state laws, court magistrate judges or clerks may issue arrest warrants after receiving a complaint from an arresting officer. However, the complaint must contain sufficient proof that the defendant may have committed a crime.

Arrest warrants issued in Amherst County must include the following:

• The defendant's full name, known aliases, and physical features.
• Criminal charges and description
• A court statement calling for the defendant's arrest
• The county and court that issued the warrant.
• The court official's signature.

Do Amherst County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Amherst County, arrest warrants do not expire. Instead, they remain active unless the court revokes them or the offender is arrested. Note that the statute of limitations does not affect an arrest warrant's lifespan.