Petersburg County Arrest Records

Petersburg County arrest records are official documents created when a Virginia law enforcement agency takes an individual into custody. Individuals can be arrested if they have committed an infraction, misdemeanor, or felony. Under Virginia law, officers may make arrests with or without a warrant.

Arrest records are crucial for initiating criminal proceedings in Petersburg County and offer insight into an individual's criminal history. Additionally, Petersburg County arrest records may be found alongside other public records, such as Petersburg County court records or criminal records.

The law enforcement agency responsible for creating a particular arrest record—such as the Petersburg County Sheriff's Office or local police department—is typically responsible for maintaining it.

Are Arrest Records Public in Petersburg County?

Yes. Under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA) § 2.2-3700, members of the public can inspect and copy arrest records upon request. However, certain Virginia statutes and court orders may restrict specific records from public access, making them available only to certain law enforcement bodies. Some examples of these restricted records include:

• Juvenile records
• Records revealing information in employee personnel files
• Educational records
• Records from ongoing criminal investigations
• Communications protected by attorney-client privilege
• Medical and health records
• Records of closed meetings
• Certain confidential tax filings and associated documents

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Typically, public arrest records of individuals in Petersburg County comprise the following details:

• Arrestee's full name and date of birth.
• Physical features of the arrestee (including height, weight, race, hair color, and eye color)
• Time and date of the arrest
• Time and date of booking
• Details of the alleged charges.
• Booking information (including fingerprints, booking number, and mugshots)
• Information of the arresting agency and officers.

Petersburg County Arrest Statistics

According to the 2022-Year-End Report crime statistics provided by the Petersburg County Sheriff's Department, there were a total of 1,278 arrests conducted by the police in 2022. Of that figure, Larceny had the highest report of 563 cases (44.05%), followed by arrests for vandalism with 355 cases (27.78%), Aggravated Assaults with 146 cases (11.42%), and Burglary with 93 cases (7.27%). Following that, Motor Vehicle Theft with 57 cases (4.46%), robbery with 43 cases (3.36%), and Homicides with 21 cases (1.64%) were the least reported.

Find Petersburg County Arrest Records

Interested members of the public may find Petersburg County arrest records from state and Federal law enforcement agencies. These agencies include the Virginia State Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigations.

The Virginia State Police Department (VSP) maintains all arrest records from agencies collated from the local police departments in all counties within the state. To obtain an arrest record from this agency, researchers can fill out a Request Form and mail it to the following address:

Virginia State Police
Civil & Applicant Records Exchange (CARE)
#7700 Midlothian Turnpike
North Chesterfield, Virginia 23235

Record seekers may query the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) for arrest records. This typically requires presenting an ID and the required processing fees. Physical queries may be made to:

FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Division
#1000 Custer Hollow Rd.,
Clarksburg, WV 26306

Alternatively, interested members of the public can send mail-in requests to the FBI at the following address:

FBI CJIS Division
#1000 Custer Hollow Rd.,
Clarksburg, WV 26306

Free Arrest Record Search in Petersburg County

Individuals looking to conduct a free arrest record search in Petersburg County should ensure to visit the Petersburg County Sheriff's Office. At the Sheriff's office, the requester should provide the staff with the necessary information (such as the arrestee's full name, date of birth, and date of arrest) and carry along a valid means of identification. Below is the address of the County Sheriff for in-person requests:

Petersburg County Sheriff's Office
8 Courthouse Ave.
Petersburg, VA 23803

On the other hand, requesters can use reliable third-party public record websites to obtain an arrest record. However, while third-party websites may be faster and easier to use, they are generally more expensive, as most don't provide free arrest record searches on their platforms.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Forever. Arrest details stay indefinitely in an individual's record unless expunged or sealed. However, the Virginia Code institutes a Library of Virginia Retention and Disposition Schedule, which allows adults to petition to have their arrest records destroyed 100 years after the record is created or a year after the individual dies.

Expunge Petersburg County Arrest Records

Record expungement (or expunction) is the official process of totally destroying a record. Below are some records that can be expunged in Petersburg County, Virginia:

• Records of dismissed or dropped cases
• Cases where the individual was acquitted (found "not guilty") in court
• Records that receive an absolute pardon by the State Governor
• Records for cases that ended in no conviction

To expunge a record, the case party must:

• Review the case information to ensure they qualify under the Virginia Law.
• Following that, the requester should request a certified copy of the case's final disposition from the originating court where it was heard.
• Then, they must file a Petition for Expungement in the Circuit Court of the jurisdiction where they were arrested or charged. Applicants must ensure that they complete the filing by providing their personal details, details about the arrest and charges, and reasons for requesting expungement of the record.
• Pay the required filing fee, typically $86 (requesters should ensure to confirm with the Petersburg Circuit Court for any changes)
• Provide a copy of the petition for expungement to the Commonwealth's Attorney for Petersburg County, Virginia, and await their verdict.
• If they agree, applicants should visit their local law enforcement agency to submit their fingerprints, which will be taken to the Virginia State Police for further criminal background checks.
• The court will then schedule a hearing to determine whether the record is eligible for expungement. Applicants must prove that the record may harm their reputation.

Petersburg County Arrest Warrants

As stated earlier, the Virginia Code permits law enforcement officers to arrest an individual with or without an arrest warrant. An arrest warrant is a legal document issued by a judge that authorizes police officers to arrest an individual at any time and day. The officer must file for one to obtain a warrant, providing proof that a suspect has committed a criminal offense. Upon considering the request, the judge may grant or deny the application. If granted, the warrant becomes active.

Arrest warrants are governed by the Code of Virginia, Title 19.2, Chapter 7, and typical Petersburg County arrest warrants comprise the following details:

• Arrestee's full name and alias.
• Arrestee's physical characteristics (height, gender, race, hair color, and eye color)
• Issuing authority's (judge or magistrate) name and signature
• Arresting officer and arrest agency name
• Arrest clause
• Bond/bail amount, if applicable.
• A brief description of the charges

Do Petersburg County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Immediately after an arrest warrant is issued, it remains active indefinitely until the suspect is captured, surrenders, or is dead. Also, the presiding court may recall it if the charges that resulted in its issuance are dropped.