Newport News County Arrest Records

Virginia law authorizes law enforcement officers to make arrests with or without a warrant. However, arrests without warrants can only be made in some instances (Virginia Code § 19.2-81). For example, an officer can arrest without a warrant if:

• A person commits any crime in their presence
• The officer has good grounds to believe a person has committed a felony in their absence.
• The officer has good grounds to believe a person has operated any watercraft or motorboat while:
• Intoxicated in violation of Virginia Code § 29.1-738.
• In violation of an order issued according to Virginia Code § 29.1-738.4.
• A person is charged with a crime in another county upon receipt of a photocopy of a warrant, computer printout, telegram, radio, facsimile printout, telephone, or teletype message.
• The person committed a misdemeanor not in the presence of the officer, but the officer received a radio message from their department or other law enforcement agency within the state that a warrant for such an offense had been issued.
• A person has committed a misdemeanor in the officer’s absence, but the arrest is based on probable cause and a reasonable complaint from the person who observed the alleged offense. The misdemeanor involves:
• Assault and battery
• Brandishing a firearm in violation of § 18.2-282
• Shoplifting in violation of § 18.2-96 or 18.2-103
• Weapon carrying on school property in violation of § 18.2-308.1
• Destruction of properties located on business premises in violation of § 18.2-137.

Per Virginia Code § 19.2-80, an arresting officer must immediately bring the arrested person before a judge without unnecessary delay. The judge will conduct a bail hearing and either release the arrestee on bail or send them to jail. However, if the accused was charged with a misdemeanor, the accused can proceed to trial instead of a bail hearing.

Individuals can request the records of an arrested person at the Neport News County Sheriff’s Office or the Police Department. However, the record will only contain the arrestee's booking information, such as personal details, the arresting officer’s information, charges, and the arrest's location, date, and time. Although the case would be taken to court, the court case information would not be available at the Sheriff’s Office or Police Department. Requesters would have to search Newport News County court records to find the appropriate record.

Are Arrest Records Public in Newport News County?

Yes. The Virginia Public Records Act and Freedom of Information Act authorize the public disclosure of arrest records to the residents of the Commonwealth. This grants individuals the right to inspect or copy most arrest records maintained by Newport New County law enforcement agencies. Per Virginia Code § 2.2-3706, law enforcement agencies make the following arrest records public to requests:

• Adult arrestee photographs taken during the booking process
• Identifying information on adult individuals arrested and charged
• The status of the charge and arrest
• Identifying information of an adult individual who is arrested by an officer and charged for a criminal offense, and the status of the charge or arrest

The Virginia Freedom of Information Act excludes some arrest records from public disclosure. Examples of such records are:

• Juvenile arrest records
• An arrested person’s medical records
• Arrest records of sex offenders
• Arrest information that reveals the identity of a witness, victim, or undercover officer.
• Investigative techniques or procedures
• Arrest records whose disclosure would jeopardize the safety or security of the general public or law enforcement personnel
• The identity of a person providing information about a criminal activity under a promise of anonymity.
• Arrest records of individuals incarcerated in penal institutions in Virginia provided such records related to the imprisonment.
• Reports including arrest information submitted in confidence to state and local law enforcement agencies, investigators, and police departments of public universities.
• Criminal investigative files include reports, witness statements, complaints, notes, photographs, memoranda, correspondence, maps, court orders, diagrams, and evidence pertaining to a criminal prosecution or investigation.
• Arrest records of adult persons under investigation, supervision, or monitoring by a local pretrial services agency, a local community-based probation services agency, or state probation and parole services.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Record seekers can find arrest records online or in person at the appropriate law enforcement agencies during office hours. Public arrest records usually contain information about the arrestee’s personal information and the circumstances surrounding the arrest. Requesters can find the following information in an arrest record:

• Arrest number
• Arrest date and time
• Block address
• Charge
• The arrested person’s full name, age, race, date of birth, and sex
• The arrestee’s height, weight, and hair and eye color
• Warrant issuing date and charge

Newport News County Crime Rate

The Newport News County Annual Report showed approximately 5,979 crimes in 2023, a 14.3% increase from the previous year. The three major crimes committed that year were larceny (3,765), aggravated assault (1,031), and burglary (453).

Newport News County Arrest Statistics

In 2023, the Newport News County Police Department (NNPD) made about 23 arrests from the tips they received. The NNPD's Record Division attended to about 8,205 adult and 308 juvenile arrest report requests.

Find Newport News County Arrest Records

The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) provides arrest records to the public through its Inmate Locator. Users are required to enter at least the first letter of the inmate's first name and their full last name or the inmate’s ID number. They can narrow their searches by providing a middle name, alias, release date, age range, location, sex, or race. Requesters can also find Newport New County arrest records by visiting any of the VADOC facilities during business hours. The record staff will require a name or number to perform the search.

Federal law enforcement agencies maintain arrest records of Newport News County individuals who violate federal laws. There is no single database for all federal arrest records. Therefore, record seekers must visit each agency's website to review their search methods. However, most agencies disseminate arrest records online, by mail, or in person. For example:

• The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): Record seekers can utilize the Online Detainee Locator System to find Newport News County arrest records. They can perform a search using an A-number or biographical details. Interested individuals can also visit any of the ICE field offices or detention facilities during business hours to request arrest records.
• The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Record seekers can obtain copies of arrest records online, by mail, or through authorized channelers. The FBI charges $18 for such requests. Fees can be paid using a credit card through the Credit Card Payment Form, money order, or certified check. Online requesters would need to submit their fingerprints electronically at participating U.S. Post Office locations. Applicants should expect to get their order within 15 days for online requests and 20 days for mail requests. Individuals submitting their requests by mail should complete the Applicant Information Form and send it to:
  FBI CJIS Division – Summary Request
  1000 Custer Hollow Road
  Clarksburg, WV 26306
• The United States Capitol Police (USCP): Individuals can view arrest summary reports for free online. The search can be filtered using a CFN number, crime date, crime summary, or crime type. Copies of arrest summary reports can be obtained by mail using a Request Form. The completed form should be submitted to:
  United States Capitol Police
  Reports Processing Section
  119 D Street, Ne
  Washington, DC 20510
• The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP): Arrest records are available on the Inmate Locator online for public perusal. Users must enter a number (BOP register number, DCDC number, FBI number, or INS number) or name (first, middle, or last) in the search field to find the desired record. Alternatively, record seekers can visit any BOP facility during business hours to obtain copies of arrest records. They would also need to provide a name or number to facilitate the search.

Free Arrest Record Search in Newport News County

The Newport News County Police Department (NNPD) has a free resource for searching arrest records. Interested persons can use the NNPD Dashboard to find free daily arrests. Users should use the search field at the top right corner of the page to locate the desired record. Conversely, requesters can use third-party portals to find arrest records without charges. However, free arrest record searches on such websites do not return comprehensive information. Individuals would have to pay a small fee to get a full arrest report.

Get Newport News County Criminal Records

Record seekers can get criminal records at the Newport News County Police Department’s Records Unit. Requests can be made over the phone or in person from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. The applicant must provide basic information about the record to facilitate the search.

Individuals can also get Newport News County criminal records from the Virginia State Police (VSP). The VSP provides two methods of obtaining a name-based criminal record:

• Criminal History Records Check (SP-167): This form requires notarization and is eligible for use by only individuals, private companies, the general public, and out-of-state agencies.
• Criminal History Records Check (SP-230): Only employers or prospective employers can use this form. This form does not require notarization.

Name-based criminal records searches return records within 72 hours or less. Fingerprint searches cost $27 ($13.75 for the VSP CARE search and $13.25 for the search of the Federal Bureau of Investigation file). Fees can be paid by certified check, business check, or money order. The VSP does not provide expedited or same-day service for mail requests. The processing time is about 15 to 20 business days. The mailing address is:

Virginia State Police
Civil & Applicant Records Exchange (CARE)
7700 Midlothian Turnpike
N. Chesterfield, VA 23235

Applicants can choose to drop off the application form at the Virginia Department of State Police Headquarters. The VSP requires that the applicant shows two ID forms and brings the fee payable by cash or money order.

Newport News County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

An arrest record indicates only arrests and not if the person was guilty or innocent of the charges. Per 6VAC20-120-20, a criminal record means any data or information about an adult person collected by criminal justice agencies. It contains identifiable descriptions and notations of arrests, detentions, indictments, formal charges, and any disposition resulting from the arrest.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Newport News County arrests remain on a resident’s record indefinitely. However, individuals can find a way to restrict access to their records through expungement. The Library of Virginia Retention and Disposition Schedule can be reviewed to know the retention period of some arrest records:

• Unexecuted arrest warrants are not recorded
• Adult arrest files remain on record for 100 years after birth
• Juvenile arrest records are kept for 23 years after the minor’s birth
• Arrest books and logs are kept for five (5) years after the last action
• The arrested person’s personal property inventory is kept for three (3) years after the creation
• Records of properties seized during arrests are kept for three (3) years after last action
• Newport News County law enforcement agencies will delete the arrest records of a deceased arrestee from their file a year after notification.

Expunge Newport News County Arrest Records

Expungement can play a pivotal role in preventing a person’s employment, housing, and education hindrances (Virginia Code § 19.2-392.1). It limits public access to a person’s arrest records. Only individuals who were acquitted of a crime or whose charges were dismissed are eligible for expungement in Newport News County (Virginia Code § 19.2-392.2).

Eligible individuals must file a completed Petition for Expungement Form with the Newport News County Circuit Court. The petitioner will send a copy of the expungement form to the Newport News County prosecuting attorney. The attorney is mandated by law to respond to the petition within 21 days of receiving it. The applicant must provide a copy of the expungement form to the Newport News County Sheriff’s Office to obtain a complete set of fingerprints. The Sheriff’s Office will send the set of fingerprints alongside a copy of the petition form to the Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE). The CCRE will send the petitioner’s fingerprints, criminal history under seal, and a copy of the source documents that led to the CCRE entry that the petitioner wishes to expunge to the court. After receiving the documents from the CCRE, the court will conduct a hearing to decide on the petition. The court will enter an order of expungement if it approves the expungement. Afterward, the Clerk will send a copy of the order to the Virginia Department of State Police. The VSP would determine how to expunge the arrests in their records.

Newport News County Arrest Warrants

Per Virginia Code § 19.2-71, a magistrate, judge, a general district court, clerk of any circuit court, or a juvenile and domestic relations district court can issue arrest warrants. However, no Newport News County magistrate can issue an arrest warrant for a felony offense based on a complaint filed by a person who is not a law enforcement officer or an animal control officer. This can only be possible when prior authorization is granted by an attorney or a law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the alleged offense. Newport News County law enforcement officers will not request arrest warrants from judicial officers for the arrest of a person who is guilty of aggravated murder without prior authorization by an attorney. According to Virginia Code § 19.2-72, a warrant must:

• Be directed to an appropriate officer(s)
• State the name of the accused. If the name is unknown, it must contain a description by which the accused can be identified.
• Contain a description of the offense charged with reasonable certainty.
• Command that the accused be arrested and brought before the issuing court.
• Be signed by the issuing judicial officer.

A law enforcement officer can execute an arrest warrant issued in Newport News County anywhere in the Commonwealth (Virginia Code § 19.2-76). Arrest warrants are usually executed by arresting the person named on them. After executing an arrest warrant, the officer endorses the execution date on it and returns it to the judicial officer.

Newport News County Arrest Warrant Search

The Newport News County Police Department makes warrant information available to the public online, by phone, or in person at the Records Unit. Online requesters can use the search field at the top right corner of the search page to locate the desired record. Phone requesters can call the office at (757) 928-4100, while in-person requesters must visit during business hours (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.). The record staff will require a name or warrant number to process the request. The Department is located at:

Newport News County Police Department
9710 Jefferson Ave.
Newport News, VA 23605

Do Newport News County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, arrest warrants in Newport News County do not have an expiry date. Therefore, they remain valid until execution or quashed by the issuing judge.