Stafford County Arrest Records

An arrest record contains information on a person's apprehension by a law enforcement agency due to a crime the individual is suspected to have committed. This record includes details of one's interaction with the criminal justice system in Virginia. An arrest happens when an officer has probable cause to place a person under arrest.

Once a person is arrested in Stafford County, the arrestee will be booked and held in the Rappahannock Regional Jail and meet with a judge sometime during the process. Based on information about the offense from the arresting officer, the judge will determine whether the arrestee will be set free on bail until the scheduled arraignment date.

The Stafford County Sheriff's Office maintains the county's arrest records and incident reports. This office provides arrest records upon request to the appropriate criminal justice agencies, such as courts. Some agencies, like Virginia State Police (VSP), may keep arrest information that may be part of certain public records, like Stafford County court records or criminal records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Stafford County?

Yes. According to Chapter 37 of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), members of the Commonwealth and representatives of the media have the right to access public information under authorized custodians. As a result, interested parties may request copies of arrest records that the law enforcement agencies generate and maintain (§ 2.2-3704). However, these public agencies provide some of the requested records, withholding other records.

The FOIA, however, limits the availability of records that compromise individual safety or privacy (§ 2.2-3705.1). Such records are only released to eligible individuals, entities or under a valid court order. Examples of information that are exempt from Virginia's FOIA include:

• Personal information that identifies the individual or confidential sources, although access will not be denied to the subject of the record
• Written advice of legal counsel to law enforcement officers or employees, and any other information protected by the attorney-client privilege
• Information whose disclosure would cause an unwarranted invasion of an individual's privacy
• Information about the mental health assessment of an individual subject to commitment as a sexually violent predator under Chapter 9 (§ 37.2-900).
• Records whose disclosure may endanger the life or safety of law enforcement personnel
• Reports, court documents, and statistical registries required to be kept confidential
• Individual's Account numbers or Social Security Number (SSN)
• Juvenile record information.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

A typical Stafford County arrest record contains the following components:

• The arrestee's personal information (the arrestee's full name, contact, and date of birth)
• The arrestee's identification details (age, gender, height, weight, eye color, hair color, and race)
• Arrest information (time, date, location of the arrest, and the arresting agency details)
• Booking information (time and date the arrestee was booked, the bond type, amount, and the arrestee's release date)
• The type of offense the arrestee committed (felony, misdemeanor, or infraction), its description, and any other criminal charges.

Stafford County Crime Rate

The Weekly Crime Report is a summary of Sheriff's Reports from January through December and is distributed by the Crime Prevention Unit. The Stafford Sheriff's Office divided the county into four sections or zones and each Crime Report is published in order of these zones. They include the Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta zones with reported crimes in the county.

The FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program in Virginia shows crime statistics on offenses reported by agencies in various counties, including Stafford County. According to the data, property crimes were the most reported offenses, totaling 1,427, while violent crimes made up the remaining percent, 338.

The most prevalent offenses within the property crimes category were larceny-theft (1,203), burglary (156), and motor vehicle theft (68). On the other hand, aggravated assault (212), rape (73), and robbery (47). The Virginia State Police collects information on criminal incidents in the county to make a 2017 crime report. According to the report, the total number of incidents reported was 6,085, with crimes against persons (1,916), crimes against property (3,934), and crimes against society (1,474) offenses.

Stafford County Arrest Statistics

The Virginia State Police provides a 2023 crime report compiled by the Virginia Sheriff's Association across various counties, including Stafford County. Agencies submit their monthly data via Internet submission and upload it to the central repository database. The most serious offenses are designated as Group A offenses, and the less serious offenses are designated as Group B offenses. According to the report from the Sheriff's Office, the total arrests were 5,042, with 2066 Group A arrests and 2976 Group B arrests.

Find Stafford County Arrest Records

Certain inmate records are exempt from the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). As a result, the custodians of these records have the right to refuse requests for such documents. However, it may be possible to access these records by submitting a record request to the custodian.

The Rappahannock Regional Jail in Stafford, Virginia serves the adult corrections needs of Stafford County, which makes it a custodian of inmate information for the public. The Inmate Records Department of the Inmate Processing Division is responsible for maintaining inmate jail records. Under the state FOIA, interested persons can find and obtain inmate information directly from the Sheriff's office or the jail in person.

The Rappahannock Regional Jail
P.O. Box 3300
1745 Richmond Highway
Stafford, Virginia 22554
Phone: (540) 288-5245
Fax: (540) 288-0819

All inmate records and information are available on the jail website online. To access the records of inmates currently incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail, visit the Rappahannock Public Website. However, note that the inmate record displayed is for reference purposes only. To obtain inmate information, the requester must provide the inmate number, full name, gender, and age range.

Individuals looking for inmate records in Virginia can also perform an online inmate search through the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) website using the Inmate Locator feature. Requesters may search for inmates in the county using basic information such as names, sex, race, age, inmate IDs, location, and release date. Interested individuals may also contact the department by sending mail requests to:

Virginia Department of Corrections
P.O. Box 26963
Richmond, VA 23261
Phone: (804) 674-3000

To review or inspect inmate information may be free, but a fee may be required to make copies of the record.

Alternatively, individuals can request physical copies of the records by sending Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests in person, by mail, or over the phone. The County prefers requests to be submitted in writing, but they cannot refuse to respond to a request that is not in writing. FOIA allows VADOC to charge for the actual costs of responding to FOIA requests. This includes fees for searching, retrieving the requested records, copying costs, and postage.

Virginia court records also contain court decisions and orders concerning offenders held in a state detention facility. Individuals may visit the sentencing court to request inmate records from the Clerk of Court with an FOIA form.

Free Arrest Record Search in Stafford County

Individuals can search for Stafford County arrest records for free through resources provided by law enforcement agencies and third-party service providers. The Stafford County Sheriff's Office, Administrative Services Division, is responsible for public records management. Individuals can request arrest records for free on the website in writing and must include information such as email, name, phone, state, and company. Note that requesters must describe the type of record or information they require.

Some tools are also available online through certain third-party websites to search Stafford County arrest records for free. These websites work on their own and usually gather information from the official websites of law enforcement agencies in the county. Users will need to provide basic information such as a subject's full name, state/county, and date of birth to search these tools. However, the accuracy of search results through these third-party websites is usually not accurate and complete.

Get Stafford County Criminal Records

Criminal records are official documents that contain an individual's criminal history compiled by law enforcement agencies across the state. It is a list of the crimes committed by an individual and can be used for various purposes including hiring for specific roles or renting an apartment. In Stafford County, these records are a compilation of information on an individual's arrests, criminal charges, convictions, and sentences.

The Stafford County Sheriff's Office, Records Division, processes requests for criminal history records. However, only individuals requesting personal records can access this service. To request copies of this record, individuals must complete a Criminal Record Request and submit it in person or by mail to the Record Division. The requester must also include a copy of valid government-issued identification to process each request.

To submit a mail request, send a completed request form and copy of identification to:

SCSO - Records Division
1225 Courthouse Road
P.O. Box 189
Stafford, VA 22554
Phone: (540) 658-4420

Stafford County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest and criminal records have different purposes in Stafford County's criminal justice system. An arrest record documents everything that happens from the moment a law enforcement officer apprehends a person under suspicion of committing a crime. It includes details about the time, date, and location of the arrest, the arresting officer, the charges, and other circumstances surrounding the arrest.

On the other hand, a criminal record is a more detailed description and information on an individual's criminal history with the justice system. This record contains information on all arrests, charges, court proceedings, sentences, convictions, and any incarceration period. Law enforcement agencies and courts may give access to criminal records across the state, including Stafford County.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrests stay on record forever. According to Virginia law, there is no distinction between misdemeanors and felonies in this regard. However, arrest records can be sealed or expunged if there was no conviction or the activities they were convicted of are no longer crimes.

Expunge Stafford County Arrest Records

Individuals with arrest records in Stafford County who meet the eligibility requirements can file a petition to seal or expunge their arrest records. (§ 19.2-392.2) An expungement in Virginia ensures that arrest records are hidden from public view and can only be seen if the court gives permission. It is very limited because it requires the individual to be innocent and with "not guilty" or "nolle prosequi" dispositions, for dismissals to be eligible for expungement.

A person may be eligible for expungement in Virginia if any of the following statements are true:

• The person was charged with contempt in a civil court but found not guilty.
• The person was charged with assault and battery or another misdemeanor that could have resulted in a civil lawsuit.
• The person receives an absolute pardon from the Governor of Virginia.
• The person was the victim of identity theft, meaning they are innocent of the charges resulting from that theft.

An eligible person can apply for an expungement at any time after the case's final disposition. If the person was the victim of identity theft, they can also apply immediately. To obtain an expungement, the person must file a Petition for Expungement (FORM CC-1472) with the Stafford County Circuit Court. (§ 19.2-392.2 C). According to § 19.2-392.2 E, the petitioner must obtain one complete set of the petitioner's fingerprints from the Virginia State Police (VSP) department.

The State Police must submit the set of fingerprints to the Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE) with a copy of the petition for expungement. (§ 19.2-388.1). After the hearing, the court shall return the fingerprint card to the petitioner. Virginia law (§ 16.1-260) requires the petitioner to submit the form to the Commonwealth Attorney. The petitioner must have a copy of the form, including any attachments, served on the Commonwealth's Attorney in the county. (§ 19.2-392.2 D). The Commonwealth Attorney must object to the court 21 days after receiving your petition.

Stafford County Arrest Warrants

In Stafford County, an arrest warrant is a legal document addressed to a law enforcement officer from a court judge to permit an individual's arrest. It is usually issued after the judge considers the type of crime, evidence, testimony from witnesses, and the reasons to believe the suspect has committed the crime. No judge may issue an arrest warrant for an offense based on a complaint by a person other than a law enforcement officer without prior authority by the attorney for the Commonwealth (§ 19.2-71). Moreover, the judge will not issue an arrest warrant unless they are convinced of probable cause.

A Stafford County arrest warrant may contain the name of the suspect, a description of the alleged offense, the issuance date, the name of the issuing court, and the judge's name and signature.

Stafford County Arrest Warrant Search

Interested individuals can search for arrest warrants in Stafford County through the Stafford County Sheriff's Office in person. The Administrative Service Division handles the issuance of active warrants within the office. Requesters must provide a photo ID and identifier information about the subject, which includes name, birthdate, address, gender, and race. Once the details are available, the Sheriff's department can verify identity to issue a warrant.

Stafford County Sheriff's Office
1225 Courthouse Road
Stafford, VA 22554
P.O. Box 189
Stafford, VA 22555
Phone: (540) 658-4450

Alternatively, individuals with arrest warrant information from the Stafford County Sheriff can complete an online request for a criminal record check.

Do Stafford County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Stafford County, arrest warrants do not expire. In other words, once an arrest warrant is issued, it will remain active until resolved. Two ways to resolve an arrest warrant are to ensure the suspect is placed under arrest or made to appear in court.

An arrest warrant becomes inactive if the issuing court recalls it or if the subject of the warrant dies before its execution. If the warrant is no longer active, the individual may be able to remove it from their record.