Prince William County Arrest Records

Arrests in Prince William County, Virginia, are conducted when law enforcement agencies determine there is probable cause that a person has committed a crime. Arrests become necessary to ensure public safety, initiate the judicial process, or enforce a warrant issued by the Prince William County General District Court or other competent courts. Typically, after an arrest, individuals are booked.

The booking process involves documentation of arrest details. During the booking:

• The suspect's name, date of birth, and address are recorded.
• A mugshot is taken.
• The fingerprints are entered into state and federal databases.
• Personal items like phones and wallets are confiscated, and a receipt is issued.
• Medical screening is done to ensure the arrestee is fit to remain in custody.
• Charges for which the suspect is arrested are documented.
• The suspects are held at the Prince William Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center until they post bail, are released on recognizance, or are taken to court for their hearing.

Arrest records are generated by the Prince William County Police Department and other relevant agencies like the Virginia State Police. These records are part of the county’s broader public records system, which may include Prince William County Court Records. Records are generally accessible through government portals and online repositories.

Are Arrest Records Public in Prince William County?

In Virginia, most arrest records are public information, governed by the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (§2.2-3700). However, some exceptions still exist. Sensitive information may include:

• Juvenile arrest records
• Sealed records
• arrests related to certain ongoing investigations
• Mental health cases
• Protective orders

To access these records, individuals usually need to submit a FOIA request through the relevant agency, such as the Prince William County Police Department or the Virginia State Police.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

A public arrest record typically contains the following:

• Personal information of the arrested individual, such as name, date of birth, gender, and physical description.
• Date, time, and location of arrest.
• Charges filed against the individual
• Booking and bail information
• Mugshots and fingerprints
• Case status, whether pending or resolved

Prince William County Arrest Statistics

The incarceration rate in Prince William County as of 2020 was 200 per 100,000, with 964 persons in state and local jail. As of 2021, law enforcement agencies have made 7100 adult arrests and 473 juvenile arrests, bringing the total arrests to 7,573.

Find Prince William County Arrest Records

You may search Prince William County arrest records using the following state and federal tools.

• Virginia State Police Criminal Record Check System for access to arrest records statewide.
• Prince William-Manassas Regional Jail Inmate Lookup, which allows the public to search for current inmates and recently released individuals
• Federal Bureau of Prison (BOP) inmate locator for federal starts and incarcerations
• Prince William County Court records are also accessible, detailing arrests linked to pending cases.

Free Arrest Record Search in Prince William County

Free resources for searching arrest records in Prince William County include the following:

• Prince William county police department through physical walk-ins and through the public access portal for limited public arrest records.
• Virginia Judiciary Public Access Case system (Virginia Court case search) for cases linked with arrests.
• Third-party websites

Prince William County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

In Prince William County, arrest records differ from criminal records in that an arrest record only documents the act of being detained or charged, while a criminal record reflects convictions. Someone may have an arrest record without a criminal record if they were not convicted or if charges were dropped. Arrest records provide details about detainment but don't indicate guilt, whereas criminal records reflect final adjudications and sentencing outcomes.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Virginia, arrest records remain permanently unless expunged. Even if charges are dropped, the arrest is still documented unless a formal expungement process is pursued. Virginia law does not automatically erase arrest records after a certain period.

Expunge Prince William County Arrest Records

In Prince William County, Expungement is the legal process of removing or sealing an arrest record from public access, effectively erasing it from most official records. Expungement in Virginia is governed by Va.Code §19.2-392.2. This process ensures that arrest will not appear during background checks by employers, landlords, or educational institutions such that individuals convicted of a crime or wrongly arrested are free.

Arrest records may be expunged based on the following circumstances.

• If the court finds the person not guilty of the charges
• When the charges are withdrawn or dismissed by the prosecutor
• If a person was arrested under the wrong identity or my mistake
• If the individual receives a pardon, expungement may still require a separate petition.

Note: Arrest records tied to convictions cannot be expunged under Virginia law unless the person was pardoned or the charges later dismissed.

Following the satisfaction of the above circumstances, the individual follows the following process for Expungement of records:

• The individual files a petition to be submitted to the circuit court which will include the date of arrest and arresting agency, statement of the particular charge to be expunged, date of the final disposition of the charge, petitioner’s date of birth and full name used by the petitioner as at the time of arrest.
• The petitioner will then serve a copy of the petition to the attorney for the Commonwealth of the county. The attorney then files an objection or may answer to the petition or may give a written note to the court as to why he does not object to the petition within 21 days after it is served on him.
• After submitting a petition, the individual provides fingerprints to the Virginia State Police, who will conduct background checks to confirm the person's identity and ensure no other disqualifying factors exist.
• The court will then schedule a hearing where the petitioner must appear. The judge will determine whether the expungement is warranted. The petitioner would have to prove that the record is constituting a stumbling block.
• If the judge grants the petition, the record will be sealed from public access. This means that the arrest will no longer appear in the background checks performed by private companies or public agencies. However, law enforcement agencies may still access these records in certain circumstances.
• Once expungement is granted, the court will notify the Virginia State Police and other relevant law enforcement agencies to update their systems and seal the records.

Prince William County Arrest Warrants.

An arrest warrant in Prince William County is a court order authorizing law enforcement to detain a person suspected of committing a crime. These warrants are issued by a judge or magistrate based on evidence establishing probable cause (a reasonable belief that the person has committed a crime). An arrest warrant contains:

• The name and description of the person to be arrested
• The offense committed
• Instructions to law enforcement for executing the arrest
• Signature of the issuing authority.

Typically, in Prince William County, a law enforcement officer or complaint submits evidence to a judge, and the judge reviews the evidence to determine if there is probable cause to issue the warrant. If the judge finds the evidence sufficient, they sign the warrant, making it legally enforceable.

Do Prince William County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Virginia, arrest warrants do not expire until they are executed or withdrawn by the issuing court. Outstanding warrants, particularly misdemeanors, may become less of a priority over time, but they remain legally enforceable unless quashed by the court. Warrants for serious offenses like felonies are actively pursued until the suspect is apprehended.