Dinwiddie County Arrest Records

A Dinwiddie arrest record search is a process where members of the public gain access to records generated when law enforcement authorities take people into custody. These records usually contain the alleged offense for which an individual was arrested, the arrestee's details (name, age, physical description, etc.), and other entries. Together with the Dinwiddie County court records, arrest records present an overview of a person's interaction with the criminal justice system.

People seek arrest records when looking into a person's arrest circumstances. Lawyers and judges also use arrest records for legal purposes. For example, defense attorneys and prosecutors may gather information from recent and past arrests to use as evidence in criminal proceedings. Defendants’ arrest histories may also factor into judicial decisions. Further, arrest data can form the basis for background checks and crime trend research.

Are Arrest Records Public in Dinwiddie County?

Yes, Virginia's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) guarantees the public's right to obtain arrest information maintained by law enforcement agencies and other government departments.

However, certain records in the custody of public agencies are not available for public viewing. These protected records are usually off-limits because releasing them could expose sensitive information that may violate individual privacy or disrupt police investigations and other criminal justice processes. Examples include juvenile arrest records, sealed court records, personal identifying information such as social security numbers and financial statements, trade secrets, and information that may identify victims of sensitive crimes.

However, parties to cases and law enforcement can generally view confidential arrest information.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

The following arrest records are available to members of the public in Dinwiddie County:

• Biographical information and physical description: Arrested person's name, alias, age, weight, hair and eye color, race, sex, and height
• Arrest information: Arrest date, arresting agency, arrest location, and alleged offense(s)
• Detention information: Booking date and time, mugshot, release date, detention facility
• Court and bail information: Bond type and amount, release conditions, next court appearance

Dinwiddie County Arrest Statistics

According to the Virginia State Police’s 2023 Uniform Crime Reporting data, law enforcement agencies made 378 arrests in Dinwiddie County. Out of these arrests, 44 were executed for aggravated assault, 10 for murder and negligent manslaughter, 75 for simple assault, and 4 for robbery.

Find Dinwiddie County Arrest Records

The first step in finding an arrest record is determining the type of crime for which the person was apprehended and which agency made the arrest. If unsure about these facts, one can start with the Dinwiddie County Sheriff's Office, the county's primary local law enforcement agency. The sheriff's office allows people to submit Freedom of Information Act requests to its FOIA officer to order arrest records. One can also visit the office at the following location to request arrest information:

13850 Courthouse Road
Dinwiddie, VA 23841
P.O. Box 120
Dinwiddie, VA 23841
Phone: (804) 469-4550
Fax: (804) 469-4854

Law enforcement authorities keep defendants in the Meherrin River Regional Jail after arrests. The county sheriff partners with two other counties to maintain the facility. The jail offers an inmate roster, accessible on its official website. One can also contact the jail facility directly to inquire about information that they cannot find online.

If a person was arrested and convicted of a serious offense in Dinwiddie County, they may be in the custody of the Virginia Department of Corrections. The department's inmate locator allows users to view the location and inmate ID of people in state custody. This information can be used to request additional inmate data via a Freedom of Information Act request.

Information about federal arrests are usually kept by federal arresting agencies and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. One can contact the relevant federal body to gain the arrest record they seek.

Free Arrest Record Search in Dinwiddie County

People can obtain free arrest records using the following methods:

• Using online search databases from government agencies, such as the Meherrin River Regional Jail Inmate Roster
• Using third-party websites that publish arrest information from different local and state law enforcement agencies.

Members of the public should note that third-party sites are not extensions of public agencies, as they do not work in any official capacity. Thus, they do not claim ownership of the records they publish. As such, users are advised to verify information obtained from these sites through official sources.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In most cases, forever. Arrests may stay on a person's criminal history indefinitely if they are convicted of a felony offense. However, people who qualify for expungement can remove their records from public access. Also, certain arrestees, such as people who were never convicted and those who had their charges dismissed, may receive automatic expungement starting from July 1, 2025.

Expunge Dinwiddie County Arrest Records

Expunging arrest records in Dinwiddie County involves removing one's criminal history from public databases by petitioning the court. Only people permitted by Virginia law can use this legal process. Once the petition is granted, the petitioner's records will be sealed and then destroyed after three years. Having one's charges dismissed, receiving an absolute pardon, being found not guilty, and not being charged after the arrest are grounds for expungement per VA. Code § 19.2-392.2.

Applicants will need to fill out Form CC-1473 and provide the following attachments:

• Certified copy of the indictments or warrants for the charges to be expunged
• Certified copy of court order or judgment dismissing the charges or declaring the defendant not guilty

Expungement requests for case acquittals or dismissals are filed in the circuit court of Dinwiddie County. Once a petition is filed with the circuit court, the clerk will provide the petitioner with a stamped copy and a hearing date. The applicant must submit a copy to the sheriff's office to have their fingerprints taken. The sheriff will then forward the fingerprints to the Virginia State Police for a criminal background check, which will be transmitted to the circuit court under seal.

A copy of the petition must also be served on the county's Commonwealth’s Attorney, who will respond to the petition within 21 days. If the order for expungement is granted, the clerk will send a certified copy to the VSP, the petitioner, and the agencies in custody of the records to be expunged. The process may take up to six months.

Dinwiddie County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant orders the apprehension of a named or described person. A judge issues this order after reviewing complaints submitted by law enforcement or when defendants violate direct court orders. One can contact the local sheriff's office or a court clerk in Dinwiddie County to inquire about active or executed warrants, view the documents, or obtain copies.

Do Dinwiddie County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Arrest warrants in Dinwiddie County remain outstanding until the accused individual faces a judge to answer for their alleged crimes. Arrest warrants can only be withdrawn or squashed by court order.