Hopewell City Arrest Records

Hopewell City arrest records serve as official accounts of people's apprehension and detention by law enforcement agencies. These records usually detail how each individual was taken into custody, the crime for which they were detained, and the facility where they are being held. Members of the public may look up these records to locate arrested persons, facilitate their release, or prepare for criminal defense. Arrest information is also needed during expungement processes, criminal background checks, and crime research.

Although arrest information is typically created and maintained by arresting police authorities, certain details (like warrant and bail data) may be found in Hopewell City court records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Hopewell City?

Yes. Members of the public can access arrest information maintained by law enforcement agencies in Hopewell City under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. However, the law does not permit access to every law enforcement record. For example, juvenile arrest records, information nested within investigative records, and details that may identify certain victims or informants are not released to the public.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

The following arrest details can be disclosed by Hopewell City authorities:

• Arrestee's identifying information: Full name, known aliases, ethnicity, physical description (hair and eye color, hair length, complexion, height, and weight), race, and mugshot
• Detention details: Booking date, booking number, inmate ID, holding facility, and release date
• Arrest information: Arrest date, charges, offense description, arresting agency, and the code of law violated
• Bond details: Bond type, post date, status, amount, and status
• Hearing information: Court appearance date

Hopewell City Arrest Statistics

The Virginia State Police publishes annual arrest statistics on its Incident-Based Reporting System. Data retrieved from the system indicates 627 arrests in Hopewell City in 2023. Of those arrests, 163 were related to simple assault, while 97 were for drug/narcotic violations. In addition, police authorities made five arrests in connection with murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, nine arrests for kidnapping and abduction, and 33 arrests for aggravated assault.

Find Hopewell City Arrest Records

The Hopewell City Sheriff's Office and Police Department are the primary law enforcement agencies charged with making arrests and maintaining relevant records. One can visit either agency to inquire about recent arrests.

Calling or visiting the Riverside Regional Jail is another way to obtain arrest-related details pertaining to recent and former detainees. The facility offers an online inmate locator system accessible on its homepage that shows details like offense date, booking number, charges, bail details, and hearing schedule. Members of the public can also visit or call the jail administration to collect more information about arrestees.

The Virginia Department of Corrections maintains location information for people convicted of certain crimes in Hopewell City. Interested parties can use the department's online and offline resources to locate inmates and review how long their sentences will run.

Additionally, federal agencies can be contacted for information about individuals apprehended and detained for breaking federal laws. One can use the Federal Inmate Locator to find people in the custody of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. Alternatively, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has an Online Detainee Locator System that allows anyone to find people arrested for immigration offenses based on their nationality and age.

Free Arrest Record Search in Hopewell City

Members of the public may turn to third-party aggregate websites to find arrest information for free. While these sites are not official custodians, they collate arrest records from various law enforcement agencies and other criminal justice authorities. Third-party platforms serve as a convenient research option when a searcher is unsure about the agency that made an arrest. However, it is important to verify records obtained from these sites through the appropriate local authority.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

It varies. People convicted of serious criminal offenses generally have permanent criminal records. However, individuals can have their records removed from public databases if they were acquitted. In the future, Virginia law will also permit courts to automatically seal records when defendants are acquitted or receive dismissed charges. At the same time, people convicted of certain low-level crimes may also be allowed to apply for sealing.

It is worth noting that until sealed records are expunged (destroyed), law enforcement and other permitted entities may retain access.

Expunge Hopewell City Arrest Records

The Hopewell City Circuit Court grants expungement requests to eligible applicants seeking to remove their arrest records from publicly accessible systems. Once the order is issued, custodians will immediately cease to disseminate the person's records to the general public and will permanently delete those records after three years.

The expungement process is reserved for people who were never charged, had their charges dismissed in courts, were arrested or convicted of marijuana possession, were victims of stolen or false identity, or were given absolute pardons.

The following steps outline the expungement process:

• The petitioner must complete Form CC-1473 and submit it to the local circuit court.
• The Hopewell City Commonwealth's Attorney must receive a copy of the petition and submit a response within 21 days.
• The petitioner must obtain a set of fingerprints from a local law enforcement agency, such as the Sheriff's Office or a city police agency.
• The law enforcement authority will submit the fingerprints to the CCRE (Central Criminal Records Exchange), which will then fetch the petitioner's criminal background history and transmit the records to the court.

After receiving the petitioner's criminal records, the circuit court will conduct a hearing (if the Commonwealth's Attorney objects to the expungement).

People whose arrest records are tied to criminal convictions do not qualify for expungement. However, Virginia law will allow individuals convicted of certain low-level crimes, such as failure to appear or probation violation, to apply for sealing under specific circumstances from July 1, 2026.

Hopewell City Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants are formal legal instruments that authorize law enforcement officers to apprehend persons suspected of criminal offenses. According to Virginia Code § 19.2-71, these court documents are issued by judges, clerks, and magistrates after reviewing probable cause submissions from police officers or prosecutors. In some cases, judges can issue warrants to capture people who disobey direct court orders.

Every warrant in Hopewell contains the following:

• Suspect's identifying information
• List of charges
• Command that a law enforcement officer make the arrest
• Signature of the issuing authority

Anyone who wishes to check the existence of an arrest warrant can contact the Hopewell Police Department's Communications Center at the following location:

150 West Randolph Road
Hopewell, VA 23860

One can also call (804) 541-2202 to confirm whether a warrant has been issued for another person's arrest.

Do Hopewell City Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Once issued, arrest warrants remain active in Hopewell City. These orders can only be resolved by arrest, surrender, or judicial recall.