Spotsylvania County Arrest Records

When an individual is arrested in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, the arresting law enforcement agency, such as the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office, documents the person's identifying details, including their name, age, and physical description. The circumstances of the arrest, such as the time, location, and reason for the arrest, are also recorded. This information and additional data, like the booking number, form the basis of the arrest record. Typically, this record is created during the booking process, which includes taking the individual's photograph (mugshot) and fingerprints.

After booking, the arrestee is often presented before a magistrate or judge, where formal charges may be filed and court records are generated. These records continue to track the progression of the legal case, from initial hearings to potential trial or plea agreements Spotsylvania County court records may also feature arrest information since criminal cases are managed by the Spotsylvania County General District Court or Circuit Court, depending on the nature of the charges.

Are Arrest Records Public in Spotsylvania County?

In Virginia, arrest records are considered public records and can generally be accessed by the public under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VA FOIA) (VA Code § 2.2-3706). However, the release of arrest records is subject to certain restrictions and discretion on the part of law enforcement and court officials. Under FOIA, some records are available for public access, while others may be withheld to protect privacy or sensitive law enforcement information.

Records that may be accessible to the public include:

• Demographic information about the arrested individual (e.g., name, age, gender, physical description)
• The date, time, and location of the arrest
• Information on the arresting agency and the charges brought against the individual
• Booking photos and bond or bail information, if applicable

While Virginia law encourages transparency, certain records are exempt from public release, including:

• Information that could compromise ongoing investigations
• Records involving juveniles, in compliance with VA Code § 16.1-301
• Sealed or expunged records, according to VA Code § 19.2-392.2
• Victim information that is protected under VA Code § 19.2-11.2

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

An arrest record in Spotsylvania County typically includes:

• Personal details: Name, date of birth, race, and a physical description (such as height, weight, and identifying features)
• Arrest details: The date, time, and location of the arrest, along with the name of the arresting officer or agency (e.g., Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office)
• Charges: The offense(s) the individual is accused of, including the corresponding violation of Virginia state law (e.g., VA Code § 18.2-95 for grand larceny)
• Booking data: Mugshots, fingerprints, and any assigned booking or case numbers
• Bond/bail: Information on whether bail was set, the amount, and any conditions attached

Spotsylvania County Crime Rate and Arrest Statistics

The Virginia State Police's Data Analysis and Reporting Team (DART) compiles crime statistics annually through the Incident-Based Reporting System (IBRS), which helps outline crime trends by county. According to the latest data for Spotsylvania County, the crime rate has shown fluctuations across various categories.

For example, in 2023, Spotsylvania County recorded significant numbers of property crimes, including burglaries, thefts, and vandalism. Violent crime, while less frequent, still included incidents of aggravated assault and robbery. Drug-related offenses, including possession and distribution, accounted for a considerable portion of arrests made by the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office.

In total, there were over 1,200 arrests in Spotsylvania County during 2023. These arrests included charges such as:

• Drug offenses: Over 200 arrests for possession or distribution of controlled substances, reflecting Virginia's stringent drug laws under VA Code § 18.2-250.
• Assault: Close to 100 arrests for various types of assault, including aggravated assault, which is classified as a felony under VA Code § 18.2-51.
• Theft and burglary: Approximately 150 arrests for theft-related offenses, such as burglary and larceny, punishable under VA Code § 18.2-91 and related statutes.
• Driving under the influence (DUI): Numerous arrests were also made for DUI offenses, which are taken seriously under VA Code § 18.2-266.

Find Spotsylvania County Arrest Records

In Spotsylvania County, Virginia, arrest records are primarily maintained by the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office and local law enforcement agencies such as the Virginia State Police. These records document individuals arrested for state and local offenses and may also include federal crimes if an individual is apprehended by a federal agency within the county. Arrest records generally include the arrestee's personal details, the arrest's circumstances, and the charges brought against them. While state and federal agencies retain some of these records, the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office is the main custodian for local arrests.

For those seeking arrest records through the county Sheriff's Office can be contacted at:

Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office
9119 Dean Ridings Ln,
Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA 22553
Phone: (540) 507-7200
Email: sheriff@spotsylvania.va.us

The Sheriff's Office may also provide inmate information via their Inmate Locator tool, which allows members of the public to search for individuals incarcerated in the county's detention facility. The search can be conducted using the inmate's name, booking number, or subject number and will yield information such as charges, court dates, bond amounts, and the booking date.

Spotsylvania County Court Records

The courts play a crucial role in maintaining records following an arrest. Arrests in Spotsylvania County often result in criminal proceedings at either the Spotsylvania County General District Court or the Spotsylvania County Circuit Court, depending on the nature of the charges. The General District Court handles misdemeanors and conducts preliminary hearings for felonies, while the Circuit Court manages more serious criminal cases, including felony trials.

Criminal court records include detailed information about the charges, hearings, court dates, and outcomes. These records may be accessed by contacting the appropriate court's Clerk's Office:

Spotsylvania County General District Court Clerk's Office
9107 Judicial Center Lane,
Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA 22553
Phone: (540) 507-7680

Spotsylvania County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
9107 Judicial Center Lane,
Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA 22553
Phone: (540) 507-7600

Both courts also allow public access to records under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VA Code § 2.2-3706), which ensures transparency and public access to non-exempt records.

The Virginia Department of Corrections (VA DOC) incarcerates individuals sentenced for serious state crimes committed in Spotsylvania County. Inmates transferred to state facilities after their arrest and conviction may be located through the VA DOC's Inmate Locator system. This tool allows searches by name or inmate number and provides basic details on the inmate's current status, facility location, and expected release date.

Inquiries about inmates housed in state correctional facilities can be directed to:

Virginia Department of Corrections
Phone: (804) 674-3000

Federal Arrests Records

In cases where a federal crime has been committed in Spotsylvania County, federal law enforcement agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), or Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) may be involved. Individuals arrested by federal agencies are typically housed in federal detention facilities, and arrest records are maintained by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP).

The BOP Inmate Locator can be used to find individuals incarcerated in federal facilities. The BOP or the relevant federal agency can provide additional details through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Free Arrest Record Search in Spotsylvania County

While some third-party websites offer access to arrest records, these are unofficial platforms and may not be up to date. For official records, residents should utilize public resources such as the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office, the Virginia DOC's Inmate Locator, or the Virginia Judiciary's Online Case Information System, which provides court records, including arrest-related information.

Get Spotsylvania County Criminal Records

Spotsylvania County residents can request a complete criminal history report through the Virginia State Police Civil & Applicant Records Exchange (CARE) system. This system compiles arrest and criminal history records for incidents that occurred within the Commonwealth of Virginia. To request your criminal history or that of another individual, you must submit Form SP-167 along with appropriate identification, such as a government-issued photo ID. Requests involving another person also require that individual's signed consent.

Each request must be submitted in person or via mail to the Virginia State Police office. The processing fee for these requests is $15 plus any applicable administrative charges. The mailing address for submission is:

Virginia State Police
Attention: Civil & Applicant Records Exchange (CARE)
P.O. Box 85076,
Richmond, VA 23261-5076

Background checks or arrest records can also be requested through the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office, which may also require certain forms of identification and authorization for third-party requests.

Spotsylvania County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

While arrest records provide details of an individual's apprehension, criminal records offer a more comprehensive view of their legal history, including prosecutions, sentencing, and correctional supervision. An arrest record may only indicate that someone was taken into custody, whereas a criminal record contains information about the case's outcome, including whether the individual was convicted or acquitted. Comprehensive criminal records may be obtained through the Virginia State Police or the courts, depending on the specific type of information sought.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Spotsylvania County, Virginia, the duration for which an arrest remains on an individual's record is contingent upon various factors, including whether the person was convicted, the nature of the offense, and if expungement or record sealing applies. Virginia law allows for certain non-convictions and specific juvenile offenses to be expunged or sealed, effectively restricting public access to those records.

Expunge Spotsylvania County Arrest Records

Under Virginia Code §§ 19.2-392.2 through 19.2-392.4, individuals may seek to have their arrest records expunged if they meet specific eligibility criteria. Expungement removes public access to arrest records, meaning employers, landlords, or others conducting background checks cannot view the sealed records. However, law enforcement agencies, courts, and certain government entities can still access these sealed records for specific legal or investigative purposes.

Common eligibility scenarios for expungement in Virginia include:

• Nolle prosequi: Charges were never formally filed.
• Dismissal: Charges were filed but later dismissed.
• Acquittal or not guilty verdict: The case ended in the individual's favor, with no conviction.
• In addition to adult expungements, juvenile records in Virginia are automatically expunged under VA Code § 16.1-306 once the individual turns 19 years old, provided they have not been involved in other criminal proceedings within the past five years.

To expunge an arrest record in Spotsylvania County, individuals must follow a legal process that involves petitioning the court. The steps for filing an expungement petition are as follows:

• Complete the Petition for Expungement: Eligible individuals must fill out Form CC-1473 (Petition for Expungement Filed in a Circuit Court – Acquittal/Dismissal). This form requires detailed information regarding the charges and court proceedings related to the arrest.
• Submit a Criminal History Request: The petitioner must request their criminal history from the Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE), operated by the Virginia State Police, and have it sent directly to the Circuit Court.
• Serve the Commonwealth Attorney: A copy of the petition must be provided to the Spotsylvania County Commonwealth Attorney, who will review the petition and may present arguments for or against expungement during the hearing.
• Fingerprinting (if applicable): If the individual was arrested due to mistaken identity or identity theft, they may need to be fingerprinted by local law enforcement.
• Court Hearing: Once all paperwork is submitted, the Spotsylvania County Circuit Court will schedule a hearing to determine whether to grant or deny the petition. The judge will consider factors such as the nature of the charges and the impact of the record on the individual's future.

If approved, the record is sealed from public access, but certain law enforcement and judicial agencies retain access as per VA Code § 19.2-392.3.

Spotsylvania County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a legal document authorizing law enforcement to detain an individual. In Spotsylvania County, warrants are issued by judges or magistrates based on complaints or evidence submitted by law enforcement or private citizens. VA Code § 19.2-71 outlines the legal framework for issuing arrest warrants, which must include the accused's name (or sufficient description), the alleged offense, and the signature of the issuing authority.

Warrants can be issued by:

• Circuit Court Judges: For serious offenses such as felonies.
• Magistrates: For misdemeanors and less severe felonies, unless the offense involves certain violent crimes, such as aggravated murder. In such cases, law enforcement must first obtain approval from the Spotsylvania Commonwealth Attorney before seeking a warrant.

Spotsylvania County Arrest Warrant Search

Individuals in Spotsylvania County who believe there may be an outstanding warrant for their arrest can confirm by contacting the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office or the Virginia State Police can also confirm active warrants for other individuals. Additionally, a search of court records at the Spotsylvania General District Court may reveal whether an arrest warrant hearing has been held or if a warrant has been issued.

Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office
9119 Dean Ridings Ln,
VA 22553
Phone: (540) 507-7200

Do Spotsylvania County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Once issued, arrest warrants in Virginia, including those issued in Spotsylvania County, do not expire. They remain active until the individual is arrested or turns themselves in. However, warrants may be recalled or dismissed by a judge under certain circumstances, such as when new evidence proves the individual's innocence or if there was an error in the issuance of the warrant.