Richmond County Arrest Records

Peace officers in Richmond County create arrest records after apprehending a person for a criminal act. These records disclose the facts and circumstances of an arrest, such as who was arrested, where/when the arrest occurred, and the offense for which the individual (now known as the suspect or arrestee) was taken into custody.

Adults arrested in Richmond are typically transported to the Northern Neck Regional Jail (NNRJ). At this facility, they undergo booking, where their personal data, fingerprints, photographs ("mugshots"), and arrest information are recorded. Arrestees may also go through medical/mental screenings, DNA collection, and background checks. Afterward, they may be released on bail or personal recognizance, kept in custody until their first court appearance., or kept on hold for transfer to another agency or facility.

The booking process produces the arrest record and a few other pertinent documents. The arrest record subsequently provides information that a prosecutor can use to file formal charges in court or that may be relevant for other criminal justice processes. As a result, these records may appear in or become part of other official documents held by criminal justice agencies, such as the Richmond County court records maintained by the local judicial branch.

Are Arrest Records Public in Richmond County?

Yes, to some extent. Virginia's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), indexed in § 2.2-3700 et seq. of the Code of Virginia, grants the public liberty to request records maintained by public bodies, employees, or officials, including law enforcement divisions. Consequently, anyone can query a police agency within Richmond County for an arrest record, whether it involves inspecting or retrieving copies of the record.

However, the FOIA limits the release of certain categories of records or information. For example, under § 2.2-3706, juvenile arrest records, the identity of victims or witnesses, and records related to active investigations are closed to public inspection.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Richmond County public arrest records are a compilation of information about an arrest incident for which Virginia law permits public disclosure. These include:

• The full name (first, middle, last) and age of an arrested individual
• The arrestee's photograph
• The arrest date, time, and place
• The arresting agency
• The charge(s) and section(s) of law violated
• The bond type and amount
• The booking date and time

Richmond County Crime Rate

Virginia's State Police's (VSP) Data Analysis and Reporting Team (DART) collects and analyzes crime data submitted yearly by participating law enforcement agencies in Virginia's counties and cities. The agency publicly disseminates these statistics through its Uniform Crime Reporting program, which includes an online crime data portal and the Crime in Virginia Publications.

Based on DART's statistical data, Richmond County (pop. estimated at 9,220 in 2023 and 9,165 in 2022) reported 97 offenses and a crime rate of 1,052.06 per 100,000 population in 2023. Compared to the previous year (2022), the county reported 140 offenses and a crime rate of 1,527.55 per 100,000 persons, representing a 30.7% decrease in the overall crime frequency and a 31.1% decrease in the overall crime rate in 2023.

Specifically, Richmond County recorded the following crime figures in 2023:

• Crimes Against Person (rape, murder, intimidation, simple/aggravated assault, etc.): 39 offenses.
• Crimes Against Property (arson, burglary, auto theft, shoplifting, property destruction, etc.): 42 offenses.
• Crimes Against Society (drug/narcotics violations, obscene material, weapons law violations): 16 offenses.

The most prevalent crimes in the county that year were simple assault (17 offenses), destruction/vandalism/damage of property (13 offenses), and drug/narcotics violations (11 offenses).

Richmond County Arrest Statistics

According to statistics released by the VSP's Data Analysis and Reporting Team, Richmond County recorded 90 arrests in 2023, a 44% drop from the previous year (which had 162 arrests).

More arrests (71 in total) were made by the Richmond County Sheriff's Office, significantly surpassing other arresting jurisdictions. These included the State Police - Richmond County, which made 8 arrests, and the Warsaw Police Department, which reported 11 arrests.

Regarding the nature of offenses, simple assault emerged as the most prevalent crime, leading to arrests in Richmond in 2023. It was followed by destruction/vandalism/damage of property and drug/narcotic violations, which both tied for second place with 7 arrests, respectively. Lastly, shoplifting ranked as the third most recurring arrest in Richmond County, resulting in 5 arrest incidents.

Find Richmond County Arrest Records

Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies may execute arrests in Richmond County to maintain law and order.

Where an arrest was made by a state or local agency, members of the public may request records about the incident from the Northern Neck Regional Jail. The NNRJ serves as the primary intake center for adults arrested in Richmond County and the Town of Warsaw. The jail provides an online inmate roster, which can be searched using an adult person's first or last name.

Admittedly, a juvenile might be held at the NNRJ in specific circumstances. However, in many cases, arrested minors are detained at a juvenile detention center (specifically the Merrimac Center), a foster home, or other suitable place designated by the court or Department of Juvenile Justice (Va. Code § 16.1-249). Still, information about minors is not ordinarily releasable except to persons authorized by law—for example, a parent or legal guardian.

Individuals can also reach out to the police agency responsible for an arrest to find related documents. Usually, the requester must provide a name, incident date, or report number to facilitate a search. Copy fees may apply.

Note that where a federal agency arrested a person in Richmond County, and the suspect was transported to the NNRJ, one may still contact the jail for details. However, should the inmate have been transported from the facility and released to the US Marshal Service's custody, their location may be sought from the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). The BOP provides an online Federal Inmate Locator for inmate inquiries. Individuals may also email, call, or send written correspondence to the agency's Central Office using these contact details:

Federal Bureau of Prisons
320 First Street, Northwest
Washington, DC 20534
Phone: (202) 307-3198

Free Arrest Record Search in Richmond County

Electronic databases maintained by law enforcement departments and private companies provide cost-free access to various public records, including arrest records.

Those seeking free arrest records searches in Richmond can search the NNRJ Inmate Roster by first or last name. The roster provides information such as a suspect's charges, personal information, and booking details.

Individuals utilizing a third-party database to look up Richmond arrest records can typically search by first and last name. However, one added feature is that the preferred portal may offer other public records relevant to the subject of the search, which can be useful for those who wish to perform extensive research. Nevertheless, users may incur charges to retrieve extensive information from a third-party website.

Get Richmond County Criminal Records

Richmond County criminal records include arrests, charges, indictments, convictions, sentences, and other related information about persons accused of crimes in Richmond.

When looking for records related to arrests or initial charges, a person may contact the police agency that made an arrest in Richmond. Not all information in an arrest record can be disclosed publicly, and fees may apply to duplicate documents.

On the other hand, those seeking information about formal charges, convictions, and sentences can submit a request to the court that heard a criminal case. This court may be the Richmond circuit, general district, or juvenile and domestic relations court. Individuals can visit the respective courthouses to view or obtain criminal case records. Alternatively, they may access the Virginia Online Case Management Systems with a name or case number to find criminal case information.

Other public databases that individuals may access to find records about persons arrested or charged in Richmond County include the Virginia Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry and the Virginia State Inmate Locator (for those who were sent to state prison).

Finally, subjects of records may seek statewide criminal record summaries (also called "rap sheets") by submitting their fingerprints to the Virginia State Police. The VSP outlines the ordering guidelines and relevant fees on its Criminal History Record Check page.

Subjects can also seek a nationwide check from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which also requires a legible set of fingerprints submitted through agency-approved channels. Each FBI check costs $18. Certain parties may qualify for a fee waiver, and additional fees may be applicable. The FBI's Identity History Summary/Rap Sheet page has more information about the application process.

Richmond County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest and criminal records are produced from the criminal justice process begun to prosecute people suspected of committing criminal offenses. Although these records are distinct, they are often perceived as interchangeable by the general public.

However, an arrest record only describes the event of a single arrest incident. It does not go further to explain what may have happened to the alleged offender, including whether they were exonerated for the crime. A criminal record, on the other hand, is a more extensive document, noting the formal charges that were filed against an individual, the outcome (verdict) from any ensuing court proceedings, and any sentence the offender may have received.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

The State of Virginia does not specify a general timeline for an individual's arrest record to be uniformly deleted or removed from the public domain ("normal access"). Such records persist until the subject takes steps to expunge their record. Beginning July 2025, however, certain defendants may qualify for automatic sealing or expungement under Virginia's laws.

Expunge Richmond County Arrest Records

Certain defendants can expunge their arrest records in Richmond County, Virginia. The term "expungement" is not explicitly defined by the Virginia Code (Chapter 23.1), but it generally means to remove police and court records from public inspection. However, an expungement does not actually destroy documents related to an arrest, charge, or conviction. It only deletes the record from normal access and seals it, ensuring that a court's approval (court order) is obtained before access can be granted.

Presently, the State of Virginia only authorizes a petition-based process to expunge non-conviction police and court records. These include where:

• The defendant was acquitted.
• A nolle prosequi ("decision not to prosecute") was entered, or the charge was otherwise dismissed.
• A defendant received an absolute pardon.
• The defendant's name or other identification was used in error or without consent.

Eligible parties must file a petition (see form instructions) in the circuit court having jurisdiction where the arrest or charges were made—in this scenario, the Richmond County Circuit Court. The petitioner must also get fingerprinted at a law enforcement agency, pay the filing fee, serve a copy of the petition on the Commonwealth Attorney for Richmond County, and attend any related hearings (if scheduled). Other forms and documents may also be required from the petitioner by the court.

However, if the expungement relates to a case of mistaken identity, the petition should be filed in the presiding court, regardless of whether that court is the JDR or general district court. There is no fee to file this petition, but the petitioner must still submit their fingerprints to a law enforcement agency, which will then transmit them to the VSP. The VSP will then send the petitioner's criminal history under seal to the court.

Individuals who obtain an absolute pardon for a crime they did not commit need only submit a copy to the circuit court, and the court will enter an order expunging the related police and court records.

It is essential to acknowledge that a court has the discretion to deny or grant an expungement order, regardless of one's initial eligibility. The court may reject the petition if the petitioner has a serious pending charge or the Commonwealth Attorney makes a reasonable objection. However, if the expungement order is granted, the arrest will be removed from the petitioner's criminal history record and sealed.

Richmond County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants in Richmond County are issued pursuant to Va. Code § 19.2-71, et. seq. This law allows a judge, clerk, or magistrate to release an arrest warrant to bring an alleged offender to the justice system. However, these writs ("written orders") cannot be authorized without probable cause. "Probable cause" is best defined as the sum of circumstances or facts that would cause a reasonable person to believe that an accused individual is guilty of an offense.

To establish probable cause, a law enforcement officer must typically submit a complaint and affidavit to a court. If the judicial officer determines adequate grounds for the suspect's arrest, they will issue the warrant. This warrant names the person to be arrested (or a sufficient description if the name is unknown), states their offense, commands that the accused be arrested and brought before the court, and carries the issuing officer's signature.

Richmond County Arrest Warrant Search

To find warrants in Richmond County, a person may approach the Warsaw Police Department or Richmond County Sheriff's Office. As the only two police departments in Richmond, these agencies can provide information on whether someone is wanted locally. The Warsaw Police Department can be reached at (804) 333-3737 for inquiries. Meanwhile, individuals can use the following details to contact the local Sheriff's Office for warrant information:

106 Wallace Street
P.O. Box 115
Warsaw, VA 22572
Phone: (804) 333-3611
Fax: (804) 333-5418

Another way to search for outstanding warrants in Richmond is to access case management systems provided on the Virginia Judicial Branch's website (select "Online Services" from the left menu). Compared to a direct request to a police department, this option may be more suitable for those who do not wish to risk an arrest if a warrant is discovered or who prefer to review the charges before physically visiting a courthouse or police station.

Do Richmond County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, they do not. Any arrest warrant released in Richmond County remains in effect until executed by law enforcement authorities. Nonetheless, a court might recall an arrest warrant or deem it invalid upon finding sufficient basis.