Shenandoah County Arrest Records

Shenandoah County arrest records are law enforcement documents created by the Shenandoah County Sheriff's Office, Virginia State Police, local police departments, and other law enforcement agencies within Shenandoah County, VA. Arrest records detail the reasons for the detention of individuals and the conditions for their release. In Shenandoah County, these documents become part of Shenandoah County court records if litigants reference them during trials within the Shenandoah County Circuit, General District, or Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court.

Section 19.2 - 81 of the Code of Virginia and other relevant laws grant law officers the right to arrest if they have probable cause or evidence that a person committed a felony or misdemeanor. Arrest also becomes necessary if the court issues arrest warrants against individuals.

After processing, Shenandoah County law enforcement may incarcerate arrestees at the Rappahannock-Shenandoah-Warren (RSW) Regional Jail (this is the primary detention facility within Shenandoah County; they may also detain individuals at local police temporary detention cells or transfer them to correctional facilities in other Virginia counties.

Are Arrest Records Public in Shenandoah County?

Yes, arrest records are public in Shenandoah County. According to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, citizens of Virginia and entities operating within the state can access official documents (including Shenandoah County arrest records) in the custody of government agencies or employees. However, the public cannot access a Shenandoah County arrest record relating to an active criminal investigation, juvenile arrest, sealed or expunged record, personal information such as Social Security Numbers or financial account details, sensitive law enforcement information, or information that may compromise law officers or public safety.

Only the subjects of the records and entities legally authorized by law can access restricted Shenandoah County arrest information. The interested public can request access to Shenandoah County arrest records through the Shenandoah County Sheriff's Office at:

810 North Main Street, Suite 1,
Woodstock,
VA 22664
Email: sheriff@shencosheriff.com
Phone: (540) 459-6100
Fax: (540) 459-6114

Shenandoah County Arrest Statistics

The FBI arrest data show a progressive decrease in Shenandoah County arrests between January 2020 and December 2023. In 2020, Shenandoah County law enforcement agencies reported 1,349 arrest incidents to the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) database. There was a steady decline to 1029, 883, and 691 arrests in 2021, 2022, and 2023. During this period, simple assault and drug-related crimes were the most prevalent arrest incidents; they accounted for 27.6% of arrests within Shenandoah County. Also, 71.6% of arrestees in Shenandoah County between 2020 and 2023 were males, while females accounted for 28.4%. The table below summarizes Shenandoah County arrests from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2023.

Find Shenandoah County Arrest Records

Individuals seeking arrest records in Shenandoah County should call, email, fax, visit, or send mail requests to the Shenandoah County Sheriff's Office. Alternatively, request access to Shenandoah County criminal records through the Virginia Criminal History Record Check Page. Also, records can request access to Shenandoah County court-related arrest records through the Shenandoah County Clerk of the Circuit Court Office at the Shenandoah County Courthouse:

112 South Main Street,
Woodstock,
VA 22664
Phone: (540) 459-6150
Fax: (540) 459-6155

Mailing Address
P.O. Box 406,
Woodstock,
VA 22664.

Shenandoah County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Shenandoah County arrests and criminal records detail individuals' interactions with law enforcement and the criminal justice system. However, there are differences between both documents.

Shenandoah County arrest records

Shenandoah County arrest records provide information about arrests; they contain personal details of arrestees, processing information, reasons for detentions, and conditions for the release of detainees. Arrest records may be for a single event or multiple incidents.

A Shenandoah County arrest record is not evidence of guilt or innocence; the laws presume arrestees are innocent until proven guilty at the courts. Also, an arrest record may not be permanent; the court may remove the information if the owner is not guilty of a crime.

Shenandoah County criminal records

Shenandoah County criminal records are documentation of criminal acts and their trials within Shenandoah County. These documents provide more comprehensive details of criminal activities than arrest records. A Shenandoah County criminal record is a legal confirmation of a criminal conviction.

Unlike arrest records, criminal records are more difficult to seal or remove. Also, criminal records may have lifelong effects on social status, personal relationships, employment, and housing opportunities.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrest information stays on records indefinitely unless the courts seal or remove them.

According to the Virginia Code § 19.2-392.12, a record owner can petition the court to seal an arrest record if:

• The arrest did not result in convictions
• The record owner completes a diversion program
• The arrest results from low-level crimes such as shoplifting or simple assault
• The owner of the record is a juvenile first-time non-violent offender
• The arrest results from a mistaken identity
• The arrest resulted from actions that are no longer considered criminal acts under new laws.

Under Virginia laws, arrest records are automatically sealed for cases resulting in dismissal or acquittals if the owners have no disqualifying offenses.

Shenandoah County Arrest Warrants

Shenandoah County arrest warrants empower law enforcement to take individuals into custody. These documents are issued by judges/magistrates of Shenandoah County courts when law enforcement provides evidence of crimes against individuals. The courts may also issue arrest warrants for contempt of court, disregarding court orders, violating probations, and so many other reasons.

Shenandoah County arrest warrants information includes:

• The names and physical descriptions of the subjects
• Charges against the wanted persons
• Sections of the Virginia Code allegedly violated
• Dates of issuance
• Affidavits or statements of probable facts
• Statements authorizing law enforcement to take the subjects into custody
• Names and signatures of the authorizing judges/magistrates
• The geographical areas where the warrants are valid
• Names and locations of the issuing courts
• Names of the requesting agencies.

Do Shenandoah County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Shenandoah County arrest warrants do not expire. Under federal and state laws, arrest warrants remain active until law enforcement takes the subjects into custody, the courts resolve the cases leading to the warrants, or revoke them if there is fresh evidence. However, arrest warrants in Shenandoah County and other parts of the United States will become dormant if their subjects die.

Also, if there are statutes of limitations on crime (this may be applicable to misdemeanors), it limits the duration for issuing and enforcing arrest warrants; the prosecution must charge the suspects within the stipulated period.