Isle of Wight County Arrest Records

An arrest occurs when municipal police officers, sheriff deputies, or federal agents restrain a person and take them into custody because they are suspected of breaking the law. People arrested for violating state law in Isle of Wight County are generally held at the Western Tidewater Regional Jail pending their court appearances.

Once a suspect is taken into custody, law enforcement agencies will collect the person's information and document the arrest. The documentation indicates the time, location, and reason for the arrest. It also includes booking numbers, charges, arresting agency, and bond details.

While arrest information is primarily maintained by law enforcement agencies, certain elements of a person's arrest in the Isle of Wight can be found in the Isle of Wight County court records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Isle of Wight County?

Yes. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act allows the public to obtain and inspect arrest information maintained by law enforcement agencies and courts. However, this policy of transparency does not apply to every record. Sensitive details that may derail police work, identify protected victims, or expose juveniles are protected from public access. Further, the personal information of arrestees, like credit card numbers, medical records, and identification numbers, is only accessible to authorized parties.

Notwithstanding, the law permits police agencies to reveal certain protected information such as police communications, records gathered during investigations, and anonymous tips and reports.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Anyone can obtain the following arrest information from law enforcement agencies and courts:

• Arrestee's name, alias (if applicable), age, physical description (weight, hair and eye color, height, etc.), race, and sex
• Arrestee's photograph
• Arrest date
• Arresting agency
• Arrest location
• Alleged offense and charges
• Booking date
• Bond details
• Release date

Isle of Wight County Arrest Statistics

The Virginia State Police collates crime data from every law enforcement agency in the state through its Data Analysis and Reporting Team (DART). DART publishes annual arrest statistics by county and other categories on its Incident-Based Reporting database, which is available to the public. According to figures published on the web platform, Isle of Wight County law enforcement agencies recorded 848 arrests in 2023. The statistics are categorized thus:

• Crimes against persons (assault, kidnapping, statutory rape, etc.): 149
• Crimes against property (arson, burglary, vandalism, robbery, larceny): 64
• Crimes against society (drug violations, weapons law offenses, prostitution): 49
• Group B offenses (driving under the influence, disorderly conduct, drunkenness): 586

Find Isle of Wight County Arrest Records

Isle of Wight arrest records are primarily accessible through local official channels but can also be obtained using state and federal resources. The first place to start one's search depends on the location of the arrest and the individual's criminal justice status.

For arrests connected to local and state law violations, one can begin their search with the local arresting agency. For example, individuals arrested within the Town of Smithfield for state and local offenses are likely processed by the Smithfield Police Department. Intending inquirers can use the contact information available on the department's website.

The Sheriff's Office also executes arrests throughout the county. Interested parties can apply for copies of arrest reports under the FOIA. The office's contact page has relevant information and a web form for inquiries.

Another way to obtain arrest information is to use the options provided by the Western Tidewater Regional Jail. The jail houses individuals recently arrested in the county and those currently participating in criminal trials. The facility's website features an online Inmate Lookup tool, which displays details such as an inmate's personal information, photograph, arrest date, alleged charges, booking date, and arresting agency.

Federal agencies like the DEA or FBI can be approached if they execute an arrest within the Isle of Wight County. Some of these institutions provide resources and channels for checking arrest information. However, people can use the Federal Inmate Search tool provided by the Bureau of Prisons to find details such as an inmate's location, register number, age, race, sex, and release date.

In addition to local and state law enforcement, one can search court records for arrest information. The Commonwealth's Judicial Branch maintains a search portal (Online Case Information System) that provides arrest details like offense date, arrest date, defendant custody status, and charges. Site visitors can search by the hearing date, defendant name, or case number and use filters like the court division.

Interested parties can also request physical copies of court documents from the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office in person or by mail. Each page costs 5 cents, while certification costs $2 per copy. Individuals should note that court records reveal charges filed by prosecutors, which may or may not reflect the original allegations.

Free Arrest Record Search in Isle of Wight County

Using the Western Tidewater Regional Jail's Inmate Lookup or Online Case Information System of the Virginia Judiciary to look up arrest data comes at no cost. The BOP's Federal Inmate Locator is also free to use.

Moreover, people can find arrest records by searching online systems operated by third-party public records vendors. These independent businesses collate arrest information from various law enforcement agencies and make it available to the public through one interface.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

A person's arrest records can remain public indefinitely, depending on the nature of their alleged crime and the outcome of their case. Former arrestees who were not convicted can petition courts to expunge their records in most cases. However, only a limited number of convictions can be expunged per VA Code § 19.2-392.12.

Expungement restricts public access to arrest details, but law enforcement may retrieve such information under specific circumstances. The Commonwealth of Virginia grants automatic expungements for juvenile records after subjects turn 19 and have been crime-free for 5 years. Some convictions outlined in VA Code §§ 19.2-392.7 through 19.2-392.11 also qualify for automatic expungement.

Expunge Isle of Wight County Arrest Records

Expungement in Virginia restricts public access to arrest and criminal records. It does not destroy these records, as law enforcement and other authorized entities are permitted to review them in some instances. As established earlier, expungement can be performed manually or automatically for eligible cases. Per VA Code § 19.2-392.2, the manual process applies to people who were never charged, had their charges dismissed, or were found not guilty after their criminal trial.

Eligible individuals can follow these steps to expunge their records:

1. Download, print, and complete the Petition for Expungement in Circuit Court - Acquittal/Dismissal form (CC-1473).
2. File the petition with the Isle of Wight County Circuit Court.
3. Submit a request to the Virginia State Police's Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE) to transmit one's criminal history information to the circuit court.
4. Serve a copy of the petition to the Isle of Wight Commonwealth Attorney.
5. Attend the hearing.

The court will authorize or deny the expungement after the hearing. However, if the Commonwealth Attorney's office notifies the court in writing that it does not wish to submit an objection, the court may issue an expungement order without a hearing.

Individuals who were victims of stolen or mistaken identity must submit to a law enforcement fingerprinting process. They must also file their petition in the court that handed down the conviction, whether in the circuit or general district court. The fingerprints will be submitted to the CCRE, which will then transfer the petitioner's criminal history records and fingerprints to the court.

Isle of Wight County Arrest Warrants

Isle of Wight arrest warrants are orders issued by county judges, clerks, and magistrates for the apprehension and confinement of individuals accused of violating state laws or court orders. These issuing authorities usually assess complaints before approving arrest warrants. However, judges and magistrates can directly order the arrest of people in contempt of court.

Arrest warrants contain the following information:

• Name or description of the person accused
• A direction to police officers to capture the named individual
• The alleged offense
• Signature of the issuing authority

Those searching for arrest warrants in Isle of Wight County can contact the issuing court or the local Sheriff's Office.

Do Isle of Wight County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. An arrest warrant issued in Isle of Wight County is treated as an active order until the named individual is apprehended and presented before a judge, the court squashes the warrant, or the accused person surrenders.