Chesterfield County, Virginia Arrest Records
Arrest records comprise the official documentation that law enforcement agencies generate when they detain and book an individual in Chesterfield County. These documents serve the public interest by maintaining transparency in government operations and ensuring the public remains the beneficiary of actions taken at all levels of governance, in accordance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA).
Virginia law categorizes arrest records as a component of criminal history record information, which the Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE) receives, classifies, and files. Virginia Code § 19.2-389 serves as the primary statute governing the release of criminal history record information. This code section mandates that authorities disseminate such information only to authorized individuals or agencies, such as criminal justice entities for the administration of justice or specific non-criminal justice entities for statutory employment screening.
Are Arrest Records Public Information in Chesterfield, Virginia?
Yes. The VFOIA establishes the general rule that the public has ready access to records in the custody of public bodies. Under § 2.2-3700, all public records are presumed open unless a custodian properly invokes a specific legal exemption. For law enforcement agencies in Chesterfield, § 2.2-3706 of the Code of Virginia specifically governs the disclosure of criminal records. This statute mandates the release of certain information, such as adult arrestee photographs (mugshots) and the identity of non-juvenile individuals who are arrested and charged.
Despite the presumption of openness, authorities commonly withhold several types of information. Public bodies may exercise discretion to exclude criminal investigative files, specific tactical plans, and information that identifies undercover officers or confidential sources. Furthermore, privacy laws and court orders mandate the withholding of certain materials. Records expunged under § 19.2-392.2 or sealed by court order under § 19.2-392.14 remain prohibited from public release. Additionally, noncriminal materials containing personal, medical, or financial identifiers stay protected if their release would jeopardize a person's safety or privacy.
Chesterfield County Arrest Search
The Virginia State Police (VSP) provides the primary state-level pathway for locating arrest and conviction data. Members of the general public and private companies may utilize Form SP-167 to request a name-based search of the Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE), which functions as the Commonwealth's sole repository for arrest records and other constituents of criminal history records.
Although the VSP typically requires 15 to 20 business days for processing, requesters living in the Richmond area may drop off their applications at the VSP North Chesterfield headquarters. For authorized employers, the Non-Criminal Justice Interface (NCJI) offers a faster digital route, often returning electronic results within 72 hours.
Mailing address
Virginia State Police
Civil & Applicant Records Exchange (CARE)
7700 Midlothian Turnpike
North Chesterfield, VA 23235
Federal pathways involve querying the FBI, which issues Identity History Summary Checks, or "rap sheets," based on fingerprint submissions. Requesters may obtain these summaries for an $18 fee online, by submitting fingerprints at participating U.S. Post Office locations, or by mailing cards directly to the FBI.
Mailing address
FBI CJIS Division – Summary Request
1000 Custer Hollow Road
Clarksburg, WV 26306
Chesterfield County Inmate Locator
The Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office operates the Chesterfield County Jail, which provides a safe environment for offenders awaiting trial or serving local sentences.
Additionally, because Chesterfield is a member of the Riverside Regional Jail Authority, many individuals arrested in the county may be taken to the Riverside Regional Jail facility.
Requesters seeking local arrest and custody information for persons held in Riverside Regional Jail may utilize the facility's Inmate Locator (available on the Jail Authority's website homepage). This digital search tool allows users to query the database by entering a first name, last name, and date of birth, or by providing a unique identifier. If online search tools provide insufficient details, citizens may contact the Riverside Regional Jail Records personnel at (804) 524-6600. The Chesterfield County Jail can be reached at (804) 748-1476 for inmate inquiries.
Active Warrant Search in Chesterfield County
Arrest warrants are written orders issued by the court system to allow peace officers to apprehend individuals accused of crimes. These warrants typically contain identifying information about the wanted person and the specific charges they face.
The Chesterfield County Police Department (CCPD) and the Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office share responsibility for managing and serving these warrants. The public can inquire about active warrants through several channels. For example, the CCPD provides an Active Warrants report generated from its Records Management System to aid the community. However, certain warrants may be excluded from public reports even if they remain active.
How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Chesterfield
Individuals seeking Chesterfield County arrest records for free may utilize digital inmate locators that include arrest information. The Riverside Regional Jail operates an online locator tool that provides immediate, no-cost data on an individual's current custody status and specific arrest charges. Requesters may use this digital resource by entering the first name, last name, and date of birth of the subject into the search fields. The interface also allows for a search using a unique identifier to locate specific inmate records. Furthermore, the Chesterfield County Police Department may waive police record fees for victims of crime.
Chesterfield County Arrest Report
In Chesterfield, it is essential to distinguish between an arrest record and an arrest report. An arrest record comprises the summarized documentation that law enforcement agencies generate when they detain and book an individual.
On the other hand, an arrest report—often categorized as an "offense verification report" or "incident information"—is a narrative document prepared by the arresting officer. These narrative reports provide more granular detail than a simple record summary. According to VFOIA § 2.2-3706.1, public criminal incident information includes a general description of the reported activity, the date, time, and location of the alleged crime, the identity of the investigating officer, and a description of any property damaged or stolen.
While the summary record serves as a long-term administrative tool for the CCRE, the narrative report details the specific circumstances of the police encounter.
How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Chesterfield County
Individuals can seek to have their police and court records expunged in Chesterfield County under specific legal conditions stated in the Code of Virginia, Chapter 23.1. Expungement does not destroy the record but removes it from public access and seals it. To qualify for expungement in Chesterfield, the person must have been acquitted, or the charges must have been dismissed through a nolle prosequi or another dismissal method, such as accord and satisfaction. Identity theft victims whose names were used without consent and individuals who were granted an absolute pardon for an unjust conviction also remain eligible.
The expungement process begins by filing a petition in the Circuit Court of the jurisdiction where the case was disposed. The petitioner must include a copy of the warrant or indictment and state the arrest date and the name of the arresting agency. A crucial requirement involves obtaining a complete set of fingerprints from a law enforcement agency, which is then submitted to the VSP CCRE along with the petition. If the court finds that the dissemination of the information causes a "manifest injustice," it will enter an order of expungement and notify the State Police to effect the removal of the records.
How Do You Remove Arrest Records From the Internet?
The removal of arrest records from official government databases and certain internet-accessible systems relies heavily on the legal expungement and sealing process. When a court orders an expungement under § 19.2-392.2, the clerk forwards that order to the Department of State Police. The State Police then directs the manner in which those records are removed from public access. Specifically, the responsible law enforcement agency must ensure the removal of that information from the Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).
Once a record is expunged or sealed, it is generally unlawful for government employees to disclose that information to another person. For records published on the official Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System, according to the Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court Manual and other court manuals (e.g., the General District Court Manual), the clerk performs a Case Early Expungement or Delete action to ensure the data is no longer reflected online.
Third-party websites that compile public data might retain copies of records even after a court orders expungement. To have these records removed, the individual concerned must directly contact the third-party website, provide details of the expunged records, and specifically request deletion.
What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?
Under VFOIA, public arrest records contain several key elements to ensure transparency while balancing privacy concerns. Per the law, all public bodies engaged in law enforcement must provide information relative to the identity of any non-juvenile individual who is arrested and charged, along with the current status of that charge or arrest.
Furthermore, criminal incident information regarding felony arrest is provided upon request. This information includes a general description of the criminal activity reported and the specific date and time the alleged crime was committed.
Arrest records also contain the general location of the alleged crime and the identity of the investigating officer or primary point of contact. A description of any injuries suffered by involved parties or any property that was damaged or stolen during the incident must also be included.
While adult arrestee photographs (mugshots) are generally released, authorities may temporarily withhold them if their disclosure would jeopardize an ongoing felony investigation.
Arrest records exclude restricted fields such as social security numbers, which are typically used for internal identification within the CCRE but are not subject to standard public disclosure.