Goochland County Arrest Records

Arrests in Goochland County may occur when a law enforcement officer witnesses a person committing a crime. They may also arrest and detain a person if they have probable cause to believe that an offense has been, is being, or will be committed. An arrest record is a document that shows an individual has been apprehended, taken into custody, and held for investigation or on charges.

The Goochland County Sheriff’s Office is primarily responsible for generating arrest records and reports. Aside from the County Sheriff’s Office, information regarding arrests and subsequent prosecutions is generally accessible in Goochland County Court Records and Criminal History Records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Goochland County?

Yes, The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) ensures that Virginia residents have access to all public records in the custody of public agencies (Section § 2.2-3700). As such, anyone can access Goochland County arrest records unless the agency or its officers elect to exercise an exemption or where the FOIA or any other statute prescribes the exemption or confidentiality of such a record.

According to Section § 2.2-3706.1, all public bodies engaged in criminal law enforcement activities must provide records and information on criminal incidents related to felony offenses contained in any records, notes, documents, or electronic data. This information shall be provided upon request and not include information excluded from mandatory disclosure. For example:

• Criminal investigative files relating to an ongoing criminal investigation
• Law enforcement records where the disclosure of such would interfere with ongoing court proceedings
• Law enforcement records where the disclosure of such would deprive a person of the right to a fair trial and impartial adjudication
• Law enforcement records where the disclosure of such would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
• Law enforcement records where the disclosure of such would unveil the identity of a confidential informant
• Law enforcement records where the disclosure of such would expose investigation techniques and procedures
• Law enforcement records where the disclosure of such would threaten the life or physical safety of any individual.

Where the Virginia FOIA specifically exempts the disclosure of a record, it is not accessible through public access terminals or online record searches. It shall not be produced unless requested by court order or subpoena (§ 2.2-3703.1).

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Goochland County shall contain the following information:

• The identity and description of the arrestee
• Photograph (mugshot)
• A description of the charges and criminal activity reported
• The date, time, and location where the alleged crime was committed
• The date, time, and location of the arrest
• The identity of the arresting officer or investigating officer
• A description of any injuries suffered, property damaged, or stolen
• Bond amount
• Place of incarceration.

Goochland County Arrest Statistics

Arrest statistics compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 2023 for Goochland County reveal that the Virginia State Police and Goochland County Sheriff’s Office reported 168 arrests. 75.6% of the arrested persons were male offenders (127), and the remaining 24.4% were female offenders (41). The most prevalent offenses in Goochland County for that year were simple assault, driving under the influence, larceny, destruction/damage/vandalism of property, and disorderly conduct.

Find Goochland County Arrest Records

The Virginia Department of Corrections Inmate Locator provides the most recent information on inmates in custody. Interested persons may search for an inmate’s location, ID number, and release dates. Residents of Goochland County may also use the Virginia State Police Sex Offenders Registry to find the addresses of convicted offenders on parole or probation in their area.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is another resource for finding federal inmates and individuals who were in the custody of the BOP but did not serve a federal sentence. The BOP Inmate Locator allows users to find federal inmates by name or ID Number (FBI Number, BOP Register Number, DCDC Number, INS Number).

Interested individuals can also request public records from the Goochland County Sheriff’s Office to access arrest records. Requesters may be required to provide identification information, the name of the subject of the record, the date of arrest, and other necessary information to identify the record sought.

Requests for Goochland County arrest records can be sent by mail or obtained in person at the address below:

Goochland County Sheriff’s Office
2938 River Road West,
Building C
P.O. Box 29
Goochland, Virginia 23063
Phone: (804) 556-5349
Email: gcso@goochlandva.us.

Free Arrest Record Search in Goochland County

Residents of Goochland County may perform a free arrest record search at the Goochland County Sheriff’s Office. Likewise, it is free to request and inspect criminal court records in the custody of the Goochland County circuit court clerk. Criminal case court records often contain information about the arrest, which may be relevant to the searcher.

It may also be worthwhile to consider third-party public record search sites. Third-party search sites collate arrest records from multiple jurisdictions and upload them to publicly accessible databases. Although they may not be free, they can be a faster and more convenient search alternative.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrests remain permanently on a person’s public record until action is taken to delete the record. However, the record holder must first be eligible to have their record expunged to petition the court. These eligibility requirements are outlined in the Virginia Criminal Procedure Code.

Expunge Goochland County Arrest Records

In Virginia, where a person has not been charged for a crime, where they have been charged, is acquitted, has been pardoned, or the charge is dismissed, they may file a petition to expunge the police records and court records relating to the charge (§ 19.2-392.2. Code of Virginia).

The subject of the record may file the petition with a copy of the arrest warrant or summons (if applicable), or indictment in the circuit court of the county or city where the case was decided. The petition should also include the arrest date and the name of the arresting agency. Where this information is not available, the petition should state the reason for the unavailability. It should include the specific charge or offense to be expunged, the date of the final disposition, the petitioner’s date of birth, and the full name used at the time of the arrest.

The Attorney for the Commonwealth of the city or county in which the petition is filed is expected to receive a copy of the petition and file an answer or objection to it. The attorney may, within 21 days after receiving the petition, send a written notice to the court stating that they do not object.

The petitioner must then obtain a complete set of fingerprints from a law enforcement agency and provide the agency with a copy of the petition for expungement. The agency will then submit the fingerprints and petition to the Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE). The CCRE will send a copy of the petitioner’s criminal history, fingerprints, and other relevant documents, sealed, to the court.

After the hearing, the court will return the fingerprint card to the petitioner. If no hearing occurs, the court will destroy the fingerprint card after the expungement order is granted unless the petitioner requests its return within 30 days.

Goochland County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is an official document issued by the judge, or clerk of any court of jurisdiction, or any magistrate that authorizes the arrest of the individual named in the warrant (Code of Virginia § 19.2-71)

In Virginia, an arrest warrant may be issued on written complaint of a criminal offense by a law enforcement officer or any other person so authorized by the attorney for the Commonwealth or by a law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the alleged offense (§ 19.2-72)

An arrest warrant validity issued in Goochland County, Virginia, shall:

• Be directed to an appropriate officer or officers,
• Name of the accused or a description sufficient to identify them with reasonable certainty, where the name is not known
• Describe the offense charged with reasonable certainty
• Command that the accused be arrested and brought before a court of appropriate jurisdiction in the county, city, or town where the alleged offense was committed
• Be signed by the issuing office.

Do Goochland County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Arrest warrants issued in Goochland County, Virginia, do not expire. They remain active indefinitely until the person named in the warrant is arrested, the warrant is resolved, or it is quashed. Unlike search warrants, the law does not mandate that an arrest warrant be executed and returned to the court within a time frame. Arrest warrants are also valid across state lines. An arrest warrant issued in Virginia may be executed in another state.