Suffolk City Arrest Records

In Suffolk City, Virginia, law enforcement agencies make arrests when there is probable cause to believe that a person has committed a crime. Arrests are made by the Suffolk City Police Department, Suffolk City Sheriff’s Office, or other local law enforcement agencies. Individuals arrested are held at the Western Tidewater Regional Jail, which serves Suffolk City, Franklin City, and Isle of Wight County.

These law enforcement agencies also generate Suffolk City arrest records for every arrest made in the city. Such records often become part of the Suffolk City Court Records, especially where the arrest leads to criminal prosecution.

Are Arrest Records Public in Suffolk City?

Suffolk City arrest records are public under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. This law allows the public to access and copy government records, including arrest records. However, not all details in arrest records are available for public disclosure.

Certain types of information are exempt from public access, such as:

• Information that could interfere with an ongoing investigation.
• Details that would endanger the safety of a witness or victim.
• Juvenile arrest records.
• Records that involve sensitive personal data, such as medical or mental health information.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Suffolk City contain the following public information:

• Personal details of the arrestee, including name, age, height, weight, hair and eye color, race, sex, address, and zip code.
• Arrest details, including date, time, and location of the arrest.
• Charge(s).
• Booking information, including mugshot, booking date, and booking number.
• Arresting officer and agency.
• Date of release.
• Inmate information.
• Bond agency.
• Court information.

Suffolk City Arrest Statistics

The Virginia State Police (VSP) publishes annual arrest and crime statistics reports for all cities in the state. In 2023, Suffolk City reported a total number of 267, including 101 violent crime arrests and 166 property crime arrests. The violent crime arrests included eight for murder, nine for rape, 23 for robberies, and 61 for aggravated assaults. The property crime arrests included 12 for burglary, 147 for larceny, and seven for motor vehicle theft. There were no arson arrests.

Find Suffolk City Arrest Records

Members of the public may find Suffolk City arrest records or look up inmates in Suffolk City using different resources. For individuals arrested and held locally, the Western Tidewater Regional Jail provides an inmate information portal. This portal may be searched by first and last name. It provides inmate’s details, charge(s), court information, arrest and booking date, mugshot, date of release, arresting officer, arresting agency, inmate classification, and bond agency.

The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) provides the VADOC Inmate Locator. This is a statewide tool that allows users to search for individuals incarcerated in state correctional facilities. It may be searched by name, inmate ID number, alias, age, sex, and race.

At the national level, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) provides the BOP inmate locator for individuals who may be incarcerated in federal facilities. It may be searched with the inmate’s details, such as their name or BOP number, to find records and incarceration status.

Free Arrest Record Search in Suffolk City

There are a number of free government resources that offer Suffolk City arrest records and inmate information for free. They include:

• Western Tidewater Regional Jail inmate information portal.
• VADOC Inmate Locator.
• BOP inmate locator.

Third-party websites may provide free or low-cost basic arrest record information. While these sites are not always as reliable or comprehensive as official government sources, they may be a useful option for general inquiries. Users should verify the accuracy of the information, as third-party sites may not be updated as frequently as official sources.

Suffolk City Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

In Suffolk City, there is a distinction between arrest records and criminal records, despite being related to an individual’s interactions with the legal system. Arrest records provide instances where a person has been detained by law enforcement based on suspicion of committing a crime. These records include the details of the arrest but do not necessarily indicate that the individual has been convicted of a crime. Arrest records are used to document the circumstances surrounding the arrest.

Criminal records provide a broader and more comprehensive history of an individual’s interactions with the criminal justice system. They document any legal proceedings resulting in convictions or guilty pleas, including arrests, court appearances, and sentences. Criminal records are used to track an individual’s legal history, focusing on crimes for which they have been convicted. These records are often requested for background checks, employment screening, or legal purposes.

In summary, arrest records reflect only that an individual was taken into custody and charged with a crime. They do not indicate guilt, as many arrests do not lead to convictions. Criminal records provide a complete legal history, including arrests, charges, court proceedings, and the outcome of those proceedings, such as a conviction or acquittal.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Virginia, arrests remain on a person’s record indefinitely unless the individual successfully petitions for expungement. Arrest records do not automatically disappear after a certain period. If a person is acquitted, the charges are dismissed, or no conviction occurs, they may be eligible to have the arrest record expunged (removed from public view). However, without expungement, the record will remain accessible as part of the individual’s criminal history.

Expunge Suffolk City Arrest Records

In Suffolk, Virginia, expungement allows for the removal of certain arrest records and charges from public access, making them viewable only by court order. While expunged records are not destroyed, they are sealed from public scrutiny, providing a level of privacy for eligible individuals.

Under Virginia Code 19.2-392.2, expungement is not automatic; it is only available to individuals who have not been convicted. Those eligible to petition for expungement include:

• Acquitted Defendants: Individuals found “not guilty” after pleading innocent in court.
• Contempt of Court Cases: People charged with contempt in a civil matter who are subsequently found not guilty.
• Cases Declined by the Prosecutor: Defendants whose charges the Commonwealth Attorney’s office decides not to pursue (nolle prosequi).
• Certain Misdemeanor Offenses: Defendants charged with misdemeanors like assault and battery, where civil action could be taken by the injured party. If the injured party confirms in writing that they have received restitution, the case may be dismissed, making expungement possible.
• Victims of Identity Theft: Individuals whose names or identities were misused in criminal activities they did not commit.
• Individuals Granted an Absolute Pardon: People convicted of a crime but later granted an absolute pardon due to proven innocence.

Expungement is not an option for defendants who pleaded “no contest” and were convicted or who entered into guilty or no-contest plea agreements. Additionally, charges dismissed through first-offender programs, such as drug deferral (under Virginia Code 18.2-251) or first-offense domestic assault (under Virginia Code 18.2-57.3), are not eligible for expungement.

In evaluating an expungement request, the court generally reviews the nature and severity of the charges, as well as the applicant’s criminal history.

To apply for expungement, you must submit a petition to the circuit court in the jurisdiction where the original charges were filed. If you were wrongly convicted due to identity theft, file the petition in the specific court that decided your case, whether district or juvenile court. Though it is recommended to seek assistance from an attorney, you may also file the petition on your own (pro se). Circuit court staff may provide forms for filing but are not permitted to offer legal guidance. After filing your petition:

• Serve the petition on the Commonwealth of Virginia Attorney. They have 21 days to respond, although a formal written response is not always required.
• Obtain a complete set of fingerprints from a local law enforcement agency or other authorized fingerprinting service. Submit these fingerprints and two copies of your petition to the Virginia State Police.
• The law enforcement agency will send your fingerprints and a copy of your petition to the Virginia Central Criminal Records Exchange.
• The Central Criminal Records Exchange will compile your criminal history, the documents related to your expungement request, and your fingerprint record, sending all to the court for review.
• The court will evaluate the petition. If granted, it will forward the necessary documentation to the Virginia State Police for final processing.
• Once the expungement is complete, the Virginia State Police will mail a confirmation letter.

Applicants must pay the filing fee of $86 and $12 service fee at the time of filing. However, those seeking expungement due to identity theft are exempt from these fees.

Suffolk City Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant in Suffolk City is a legal document issued by a judge sanctioning the arrest of a person by law enforcement. Arrest warrants are issued when there is probable cause to believe the individual has committed a crime.

Suffolk City arrest warrant includes the following details:

• The name of the individual to be arrested and description.
• A description of the criminal charges or offenses the individual is suspected of committing.
• Date and time the warrant was issued.
• Judge signature and court jurisdiction.
• Bail conditions, if applicable, may be included, indicating whether the individual is eligible for bail and under what terms.

Once an arrest warrant is issued, law enforcement officers are authorized to locate and arrest the person named in the warrant. Officers may enter private property to execute the arrest if they believe the suspect is present, but they must adhere to legal procedures unless there are exigent circumstances.

Do Suffolk City Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Suffolk City, arrest warrants do not expire. Once issued, an arrest warrant remains valid indefinitely until the person named in the warrant is arrested or the warrant is formally recalled or quashed by a judge. Regardless of how much time has passed, law enforcement may execute the warrant at any time, and it stays on the record until resolved.