Norfolk County Arrest Records

Norfolk County law enforcement have the legal right to arrest anyone caught or suspected of committing a crime (Virginia Code § 19.2-81). Arrests are typically made for diverse offenses such as felonies, misdemeanors, capital offenses, violent crimes, drug offenses, property crimes, and infractions, all of which have different legal consequences.

Arrestees are usually taken to the closest police precinct for booking. Booking involves filing the arrestee's personal details, mugshots, fingerprints, property list, and offense. Following this, arrest records are generated. Depending on the type of criminal case, the suspect may be released on bond or kept at the Norfolk City Jail.

County police agencies create arrest records and are also responsible for keeping them. These documents are used when starting criminal processes and contain information about a person's criminal background. As such, these files may be included in public files maintained by other local and state bodies. For example, arrest information may be accessible in Norfolk County Court Records, criminal history files managed by the Virginia State Police, and records held by the Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney's Office.

Are Arrest Records Public in Norfolk County?

Yes. Virginia Code § 2. 2-3706 mandates the disclosure of certain parts of Norfolk County arrest records to the public by government law enforcement bodies:

• Photos of adult arrestees taken at the time of an arrest
• Details disclosing the identity of any arrested and charged adult
• Files related to unattended death investigations must be given to the parent or spouse upon request if they are not a suspect or person of interest. An unattended death is one that has been classified as a suicide, an accident, or other cause of death, for which no suspect will be prosecuted.

Virginia Code § 2. 2-3706 classifies certain records as discretionary releases. This means these files are not required to be disclosed but may be made accessible at the record custodian's discretion:

• Criminal investigative files
• Reports confidentially submitted to county law enforcement agencies
• Neighborhood watch body records
• Prisoner records
• Records that include plans that affect public safety.

There are, however, documents whose access is restricted to the public:

• Records containing information gotten by law enforcement under the promise of anonymity and confidentiality
• Private records
• Medical files
• Financial records

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Per Virginia Code § 2. 2-3706, Norfolk County public arrest records contain the following information:

• Arrestee's full name, date of birth or the age of the arrested person, and other identifying details of the individual arrested
• The date, time, and location of the arrest, along with a brief description of the alleged offense.
• Booking photos, i.e. mugshot(s)
• The suspect's physical description, including gender, height, weight, scars/tattoos/marks, and eye and hair color
• Charges
• The name of the law enforcement agency that made the arrest.

Norfolk County Crime Rate

According to FBI-UCR, Norfolk County had a total of 14284 reported crimes for the year 2022. All these offenses were classified under violent crimes, property crimes, and larceny. Property crimes were the most common county crimes, with 11,437 reported cases, 80% of total crime. The most common locations for property crimes were:

• Residence/Home: 3,459 cases (30.24% of property crimes)
• Parking Garage/Lot: 3,443 cases (30.11% of property crimes)
• Highway/Alley/Street/Sidewalk: 1,966 cases (17.19% of property crimes).

Violent crimes comprised 1,669 cases (11% of total crime). The top three locations where violent crimes occurred were:

• Residence/Home: 826 cases (49% of violent crimes).
• Highway/Alley/Street/Sidewalk: 443 cases (26. 54% of violent crimes).
• Parking Garage/Lot: 149 cases (8.93% of violent crimes).

Larceny contributed to 1,178 reported cases, representing 8.25% of the total county crime. The top three locations for larceny were:

• Residence/Home: 647 (54.91% of larceny cases)
• Parking Garage/Lot: 123 (10.44% of larceny cases)
• Highway/Alley/Street/Sidewalk: 97 (8.23% of larceny cases).

Norfolk County Arrest Statistics

FBI-UCR also released Norfolk County arrest statistics. A total of 6,707 county arrests were recorded for 2022. The most common arrests were due to:

• All Other Offenses (Except Traffic): 2,954 (44.0%)
• Simple Assault: 1,564 (23.3%)
• Larceny-Theft: 353 (5.3%)
• Weapons: 301 (4.5%).

Find Norfolk County Arrest Records

For arrestees jailed by county law enforcement before arraignment, parties should start by checking the Norfolk County Sheriff's Office's inmate search portal. Enter the arrestee's first and last name into the provided text boxes and click "search".

Alternatively, researchers can search the database by selecting an identifier from the drop-down list from the second search option by the right if certain case specifics, such as booking number or county number, are known. If the information is unavailable, inquirers may contact the office directly. For example, if the Norfolk City Police Department made the arrest, contact the department at (757) 664-3277 for inmate inquiries.

After arraignment, arrestees remain in county custody and can still be located using the County Sheriff's inmate search portal. Enter the name or select an identifier in the drop-down menu by the right to retrieve inmate information. If a state agency made the arrest, the County Sheriff's Office provides inmate information through their hotline at ((757) 664-4700), available 24/7 or via email.

For federal arrests, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) offers an Inmate Locator tool, which allows searches by name or BOP register number to find the inmate's holding facility. If U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) made the arrest, individuals should note that the City jail also temporarily holds ICE detainees. To locate arrestees, use the inmate search portal by filling in the relevant fields in the option, Selecting "ICE number" in the drop-down menu, filling in the other provided fields, and clicking search. If the individual is not found there, the next step is to use ICE's Online Detainee Locator System for a broader search.

Free Arrest Record Search in Norfolk County

The Norfolk County Sheriff's Office's inmate search portal is a free and easy-to-use resource for locating arrestees incarcerated by the county's law enforcement agencies:

• Open the inmate search portal.
• Type in the first and last name of the arrestee
• Click 'search.'

Third-party websites are also a good alternative and accessible resource for accessing county arrest records. Users should, however, note that while these sites often provide a broader range of search options and can be convenient for locating arrest files across multiple jurisdictions, users should be cautious about the accuracy and timeliness of the information. Free access is usually available, though some features or detailed reports may require payment.

Get Norfolk County Criminal Records

A criminal record is an official file detailing an individual's criminal history, including arrests, charges, convictions, and sentences, handled by law enforcement agencies and courts and used for background checks and legal purposes.

The Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE) unit of the Virginia Department of State Police serves as the central repository for Norfolk County criminal records. Under VA Code §19.2-389, two primary methods exist for accessing a Virginia criminal history record check. The first method is a name-based criminal records check, which requires completing and notarising the SP-167 form. This form must be filled out separately for each request and mailed to:

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

The SP-167 form is intended for use by the following entities only:

• Individuals
• General Public
• Private Companies
• Out-of-state agencies.

However, employers or prospective employers within Norfolk County must use the SP-230 form, also governed by VA Code §19.2-389. This form is designed for non-criminal justice entities and does not require notarization. The SP-230 form is used to obtain county conviction data only and is available to the following entities:

• Domestic/International Adoptions & Foster Care Agencies
• Hospital Pharmacy Employees
• Adult Home Care Facilities
• Licensed Homes for Adults
• District Homes for Adults
• Adult Day Care Centers
• Licensed and Unlicensed Child Care Centers
• Cities/Counties Under a Duly Enacted Ordinance
• Licensed Assisted Living Facilities.

The cost for these checks is $13.75 for the VSP CARE search and $13.25 for the FBI file search, totaling $27.00. For fingerprint-based searches or further information, interested parties should visit the Virginia State Police's "Fingerprinting for Non-Criminal Purposes" page. For any questions or additional information, visit the CARE's dedicated criminal records check page.

Norfolk County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Criminal records are comprehensive documents that cover all matters involving an individual and the law. These files reveal charges, trials, convictions, and sentencing, revealing all details of prosecuted cases. The court and police maintain these documents, providing a complete profile of the offender's criminal activity.

In contrast, arrest records are restricted to police information. These files contain details such as the date of arrest, place of arrest, charges pressed, and the law enforcement agency involved. Arrest records are not an indication of guilt, nor do they document the entire legal process. Criminal records, however, show the whole judicial process, from arrest to verdict. Arrest records are considered part of criminal records; they highlight the arrests and charges against the accused but do not cover the complete legal proceedings that follow an arrest, as a criminal record does.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Indefinitely. Norfolk County arrests may remain on a person's record indefinitely unless expunged. This is why VA Code § 19.2-392.2 allows individuals to petition for the expungement of such records under specific circumstances. If expungement is granted, the arrest record is removed from public access, although it remains accessible to law enforcement and certain government agencies. County law enforcement adheres to these guidelines, meaning arrest records will stay on file permanently unless a court order expunges them. Without expungement, these records are available during background checks and remain a part of the individual's criminal history.

Expunge Norfolk County Arrest Records

Under VA Code § 19.2-392.2, eligibility applies if the case ended in a not guilty verdict, dismissal, nolle prosequi (dropped charges), or an absolute pardon was received for a wrongful conviction.

Eligible parties must get the following ready for an expungement petition:

• All relevant personal details, including full name (as used at the time of arrest), date of birth, and the specific charge(s) to be expunged
• Case Information: Include details about the charges, arrest date, the name of the arresting agency, and the final disposition date. If certain information is unavailable, the petition should provide an explanation.
• Certified Documents: Attach certified copies of the warrants, summonses, or indictments showing the final disposition of each charge.
• Multiple Charges: If seeking to expunge various charges, the petitioner must prepare a petition for each charge, ensuring that all relevant dates and details are included.

The petitioner must then submit the petition to the Norfolk Circuit Court. Upon filing, the petitioner will receive a date/time-stamped copy of the petition. Next, the petitioner must take the stamped copy of the petition to a local police department. The police department will take the petitioner's fingerprints and forward them, along with the request, to the Virginia State Police for a criminal history check. Petitioners should note that the petitioned case will only proceed once this step is completed.

The Virginia State Police will conduct a criminal history background check and send the results, under seal and the petitioner's fingerprints, to the circuit court clerk's office. The court will notify the petitioner of the date and time of the court hearing. The petitioner must appear in court on the scheduled date.

After the petitioner attends the court hearing, the court reviews the petition and conducts a background check. If the court finds that the arrest record may manifestly unfairly affect the petitioner, it will grant the expungement. In cases where the Commonwealth does not object, the court may grant the expungement without a hearing.

If the expungement is granted, the court will give an order. The petitioner will receive one certified copy of this order. The Court Clerk's Office will then send a copy to the Virginia State Police. The Virginia State Police will notify all relevant agencies to delete the record. This process may take between three to six months. Once the expungement process is complete, the petitioner should confirm that the record has been successfully expunged by checking with the relevant agencies.

Norfolk County Arrest Warrants

Norfolk County arrest warrants are legal documents issued by a judge permitting law enforcement to arrest an individual suspected of a crime. These warrants are based on probable cause.

A judge or magistrate fills out an arrest warrant when there is probable cause to believe an individual has committed a crime (VA Code § 19.2-72). This probable cause is established through a sworn complaint by a law enforcement officer or a citizen. For felony offenses, a written complaint is a must, and a magistrate cannot issue an arrest warrant for a felony based on a non-law enforcement complaint without prior authorization from the Commonwealth's Attorney or a relevant law enforcement agency.

Arrest warrants are issued in situations involving severe offenses, public safety threats, or when an individual fails to appear in court. The warrant must include the accused's name (or a description if unknown), the offense with reasonable certainty, and be directed to an appropriate officer. It also commands that the accused be brought before a court in the jurisdiction where the offense occurred. The issuing officer must sign the warrant.

Norfolk County Arrest Warrant Search

The City of Norfolk website, specifically the Police Active Warrants section on the Open Data Portal, provides information on individuals with outstanding warrants.

Do Norfolk County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Norfolk County arrest warrants do not have an explicit expiration date and remain valid indefinitely unless executed or recalled by the court. The validity of an arrest warrant is contingent on its execution by law enforcement, and it remains active until the individual is arrested or the warrant is formally withdrawn.