Loudoun County Arrest Records

In Loudoun County, law enforcement officers have broad authority to make arrests. Consequently, they may seize and take an individual into custody if they have reasonable grounds to believe that such an individual has committed a crime. Loudoun's primary law enforcement agency is the Sheriff’s Office (LCSO). While most Loudoun County Arrest Records are typically held in their archive, town police departments also maintain information on their arrests.

Although law enforcement may have the legal authority to make arrests, the courts ultimately determine the arrestee's guilt. Convicted individuals serve their sentence at the Loudoun Adult Detention Center. The courts keep records of these cases, including those that did not result in a conviction. Thus, Loudoun County court records may be considered a continuation of arrest records, particularly arrest cases that went to trial.

Arrest records are a subset of public records and are often linked to other types of records, such as incarceration records, court records, and police reports. Therefore, individuals interested in obtaining criminal records may need to consult other sources besides arrest records to get a comprehensive view.

Are Arrest Records Public in Loudoun County?

Under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), arrest records are public records. Thus, interested members of the public may contact the law enforcement agency that made the arrest to request arrest-related information. However, certain records may be withheld from public disclosure:

• Juvenile records
• Personal informant
• Ongoing investigation
• Personal sensitive information

The records are typically withheld to protect the rights and safety of other individuals. Nevertheless, you may access restricted records if you demonstrate a legitimate interest in the record and show proof of identity.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Loudoun County Arrest records typically contain:

• Personal Information: Name, date of birth, gender, and sometimes a photograph (mugshot) of the individual.
• Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest.
• Charges: Specific offenses the individual is being charged with.
• Arresting Agency: The law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest.
• Booking Information: Details about the booking process, including booking number and facility where the individual is held.
• Case Number: A unique identifier for the case associated with the arrest.
• Bail/Bond Information: Details about bail or bond set for the individual, if applicable.

Loudoun County Arrest Statistics

Under the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office Significant Incident Report (Corrections Monthly Statistical Summary) 2024, the Court Services Division arrested 70, 111, and 89 individuals in January, February, and March, respectively, based on arrest warrants issued by the courts. Thus, a total of 270 arrests were made during this period. Furthermore, a total of 932 individuals were committed to the Adult Detention Center, with 295, 320, and 317 committals occurring from January through March. Inmate transports during this time were recorded at 292.

Note: incarceration does not stem solely from arrest; individuals may be incarcerated for civil-related matters.

Find Loudoun County Arrest Records

Although the Sheriff’s Office is the primary law enforcement agency in Loudoun, the agency works interactively with other local, state, and federal law enforcement authorities, including the town police departments, and the Loudoun Adult Detention Center to effectively manage crime in Loudoun. These authorities also generate records in the regular course of their business.

Requesters may access inmate-related information on the Adult Detention Center Website. The center houses maximum, medium, and minimum security-level inmates. Inmates may be housed at the facility for up to three years before being transferred to the State Department of Corrections.

Searchers may access State Department of Corrections records by using the Inmate Locator tool. Using this tool, you may locate specific inmates by typing in their first and last names or their ID numbers in the search field area.

To find records of inmates incarcerated in federal custody, interested parties may look up records using the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmates Locator Tool. This tool provides information on federal inmates incarcerated from 1982 to the present. To find records before 1982, an enquirer may search the National Archive and Records Administration (NARA) website.

Free Arrest Record Search in Loudoun County

One quick and sure way to access arrest records in Loudoun County is to request the record through the agency that made the arrest. Thus, a record seeker may visit the Sheriff’s Office or the relevant police department at any of these addresses:

Loudoun County Sheriff's Office Administration Building
803 Sycolin Road, SE
Leesburg, VA 20175

Ashburn Station
20272 Savin Hill Drive
Ashburn, VA 20147

Dulles South Public Safety Center
25216 Loudoun County Parkway
Chantilly, VA 20152

Eastern Loudoun Station
46620 East Frederick Drive
Sterling, VA 20164

Western Loudoun Station
47 W Loudoun Street
Round Hill, VA 20141

The Virginia Judiciary Case Information online system also provides access to arrest-related case information, particularly cases that made it to trial.

You may request arrest records through the county's online FOIA public records request system. This may also be done via mail, email, phone, or in person:

1 Harrison Street, SE
P.O. Box 7000
Leesburg, VA 20177-7000
Phone: (703) 777-0200

Loudoun County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrests represent a form of interaction with the justice system, indicating instances where law enforcement has detained and taken an individual into custody. Consequently, an arrest record contains the name of the arrestee, the date and time of arrest, the charge, the arrest location, and other relevant information.

On the other hand, a criminal record is more comprehensive and refers to an individual’s entire legal profile, showing any form of interaction that they have had with the justice system which may include an arrest, charges, court proceedings, conviction, sentencing, incarceration, and release. In some cases, they may also include information about probation or parole or even a pardon.

Note: In Loudoun, only arrests that result in a conviction will be reflected in an individual's criminal record. Individuals who wish to access Loudoun County criminal records may download, print, and fill out the Criminal History Record Check application (PDF) and mail or take it to:

Loudoun County Sheriff's Office
P.O. Box 7200
Leesburg, VA 20177
803 Sycolin Road, SE
Leesburg, VA 20175
(703) 777-0407

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

When an individual is arrested, details about the arrest generally stick to their legal profile indefinitely unless they have the records expunged through legal means. Expungement effectively removes or seals the record from public view.

However, according to the Virginia Code, certain misdemeanor cases have retention limitation periods ranging from 10 to 50 years, depending on the nature of the offense. Additionally, If an individual is arrested but not convicted, they may have the record expunged, particularly when any of these occurs:

• Acquittal
• Nolle prosequi
• Dismissal
• Absolute pardon
• Or an individual’s name used in error

Expunge Loudoun County Arrest Records

If you wish to expunge an arrest record in Loudoun, you need to file a petition for expungement with the Clerk of the Circuit Court. The petition fee is $98. The court operates a one-offense-per-petition policy, so this petition must provide for one charge only or one indictment or offense.

The following documents are required:

• Expungement Packet (PDF)
• An original Petition for Expungement for each charge to be expunged, plus two additional copies
• A certified copy of the charge(s) with the disposition of the charge(s) to be expunged, plus two additional copies
• Supplemental Information for Expungement Refund
• Expungement Order for each charge to be expunged

Petitions may be filed in person or via mail. For an in-person filing, take your completed paperwork and filing fee to the third floor of the Clerk of the Circuit Court between 9 am and 5 pm to:

Loudoun Clerk of Circuit Court
Attention: Civil Division
18 East Market Street
Leesburg, VA 20176

Alternatively, you may mail the completed paperwork, copies, and filing fee to the appropriate address below.

Loudoun Clerk of Circuit Court
Attention: Civil Division
P.O. Box 550
Leesburg, VA 20178

Note: Expunged records are not destroyed. They are only sealed and removed from public access.

Loudoun County Arrest Warrants

Crimes that occur in the absence of law enforcement typically require investigation to identify the culprit. In such cases, investigators may present evidence to a magistrate to show probable cause that a specific individual committed the crime and to seek the court’s authority to arrest the suspect if the magistrate or judge is satisfied that the evidence submitted shows a serious possibility that the individual was responsible for the crime. In that case, the judge will issue an arrest warrant, typically a document containing:

• Individual’s Name
• Description of the Offense
• Date of Issuance
• Issuing Authority
• Directions on how to carry out the arrest

With this document, a law enforcement agency may enter into the suspect’s residence or any other place to effectuate the arrest.

Arresting a suspect without a warrant may pose certain legal complications related to rights infringement, which may entitle the individual to pursue legal action. These rights include:

• Right to privacy
• Right to personal liberty or freedom against unjust arrest

Thus, law enforcement authorities typically obtain warrants to avoid legal issues.

Do Loudoun County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Loudoun County Arrest warrants generally do not expire until the person named by the warrant is arrested or the warrant is quashed by the courts. An arrest warrant will be quashed in these circumstances:

• If it was issued in error
• If the individual voluntarily appears in court.

The reason for the indefinite period is that if arrest warrants carry expiry dates, the suspect may choose to lay low until its validity period has passed.