Charlottesville County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Charlottesville County
Arrest records in Charlottesville, Virginia, are generally accessible to members of the public under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA), codified at Virginia Code § 2.2-3700 et seq. This statute establishes a presumption of openness for all public records maintained by government bodies, including law enforcement agencies. Pursuant to this framework, the Charlottesville Police Department and the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail are required to make certain arrest-related records available upon request, unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
It is important to distinguish between an arrest record and a conviction record. An arrest record documents the act of being taken into custody by law enforcement and does not constitute evidence of guilt. A conviction record, by contrast, reflects a formal judicial finding of guilt following a trial or guilty plea. Under current Virginia law, individuals may have arrest records on file even when charges were dismissed, reduced, or never prosecuted. The Virginia State Police maintains the central repository for criminal history records through the Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE), which compiles both arrest and disposition data statewide.
Certain categories of arrest information may be withheld from public disclosure. Pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.2-3706, law enforcement agencies may withhold records that would jeopardize an ongoing investigation, compromise the safety of a confidential informant, or interfere with a pending prosecution.
What's in Charlottesville County Arrest Records
Charlottesville County arrest records contain a standardized set of data fields compiled at the time of booking and maintained by the arresting agency. The specific contents of an arrest record may vary depending on the agency and the nature of the incident, but the following categories are typically included.
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Race, sex, height, weight, and eye and hair color
- Social Security number (restricted in public-facing records)
- Current and last known address
Arrest Details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Name and badge number of arresting officer
- Arresting agency (e.g., Charlottesville Police Department or Albemarle County Police Department)
- Incident or case number
Charge Information:
- Specific criminal charges filed
- Virginia Code section(s) alleged to have been violated
- Classification of offense (felony, misdemeanor, or infraction)
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number and issuing court
- Date warrant was issued
- Type of warrant (arrest, bench, or capias)
Booking Information:
- Booking number assigned by the detention facility
- Date and time of booking
- Facility where the individual was booked
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bond type (personal recognizance, secured, or unsecured)
- Bond amount set by the magistrate or court
- Conditions of release, if any
Court Information:
- Assigned court (e.g., Charlottesville General District Court or Circuit Court)
- Scheduled hearing or arraignment date
- Case number assigned by the clerk of court
Custody Status:
- Whether the individual is currently held or released
- Transfer information if moved to another facility
Additional Information May Include:
- Fingerprint records and biometric data
- Photographs taken at booking (mugshots)
- Narrative arrest report prepared by the officer
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Charlottesville County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain arrest records through several official channels. Requests should be submitted in writing to the appropriate agency, identifying the subject of the record and the specific information sought.
- Charlottesville Police Department: Submit a VFOIA request in writing to the Records Division. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or via the department's online portal. The department is required to respond within five working days under current Virginia law.
- Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail: Booking and custody records may be requested directly from the jail's administrative office. The facility maintains records for individuals booked into its custody.
- Virginia State Police – CCRE: Members of the public may request a name-based criminal history search through the Virginia State Police. A fee is assessed per search, and requestors must complete the appropriate form available on the Virginia State Police website.
- Charlottesville Circuit Court Clerk's Office: Court records associated with criminal charges, including indictments and dispositions, are maintained by the clerk and are accessible during regular business hours.
Charlottesville Police Department 606 East Market Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902 (434) 970-3280 Charlottesville Police Department
Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail 160 Peregory Lane, Charlottesville, VA 22902 (434) 977-3112 Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail
Charlottesville Circuit Court Clerk's Office 315 East High Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902 (434) 970-3768 Charlottesville Circuit Court Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
How To Find Charlottesville County Arrest Records Online
Several official online platforms provide access to arrest and criminal history information related to Charlottesville and the surrounding region.
- Virginia Judiciary Online (VJOL): The Virginia Courts Case Information system allows members of the public to search court case records by name, case number, or hearing date. This system includes criminal case filings from General District and Circuit Courts throughout the Commonwealth.
- Virginia Inmate Locator: The Virginia Department of Corrections operates an inmate locator tool that enables users to search for individuals currently incarcerated in state correctional facilities, including those transferred from the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail.
- Charlottesville Police Department Online Portal: The department provides an online public records request submission system through the city's official website, allowing requestors to submit and track VFOIA requests electronically.
- Virginia State Police CCRE Portal: Name-based criminal history record searches are available through the Virginia State Police for a nominal fee.
How To Search Charlottesville County Arrest Records for Free?
Members of the public may access certain arrest and criminal history information at no cost through the following methods.
- Virginia Courts Case Information System: The VJIS public portal provides free access to court case records, including criminal charges and dispositions, without requiring registration or payment.
- In-Person Inspection at the Clerk's Office: Pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.2-3704, members of the public have the right to inspect public records in person at no charge. The Charlottesville Circuit Court Clerk's Office and the General District Court Clerk's Office permit in-person review of criminal case files during regular business hours.
- Police Department Lobby Terminals: Some law enforcement agencies provide public-access computer terminals in their lobbies for reviewing non-restricted records.
- Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail Inmate Roster: The jail periodically publishes current inmate rosters, which may be reviewed at no cost.
Charlottesville General District Court 606 East Market Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902 (434) 970-3750 Charlottesville General District Court Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Charlottesville County
Virginia law provides two distinct legal remedies for individuals seeking to limit public access to arrest records: expungement (legal erasure) and sealing (restricting public access). Expungement results in the physical destruction or removal of the record from agency files, while sealing restricts access to the record without destroying it. Under current Virginia law, sealed records remain accessible to law enforcement and certain licensing authorities but are not available to the general public.
Expungement is governed by Virginia Code § 19.2-392.2, which sets forth the eligibility criteria and procedural requirements. An individual may petition for expungement in the following circumstances:
- The charge was dismissed or nolle prossed (not prosecuted)
- The individual was acquitted at trial
- The individual received an absolute pardon from the Governor
- The charge was a misdemeanor and the individual has no prior criminal record (subject to specific conditions)
Virginia enacted significant expungement reform through the Virginia Clean Slate Act, which expanded automatic sealing for certain offenses. Under this legislation, eligible individuals may have qualifying records automatically sealed without filing a petition, provided they meet the statutory waiting period and offense-type requirements.
To petition for expungement, an individual must:
- File a petition in the Circuit Court of the jurisdiction where the charge was filed
- Serve a copy of the petition on the Commonwealth's Attorney
- Provide a complete set of fingerprints to the Virginia State Police for record verification
- Attend a hearing if the Commonwealth's Attorney objects to the petition
- Obtain a court order directing the expungement and serve it on all relevant agencies
What Happens After Arrest in Charlottesville County?
The criminal justice process in Charlottesville follows a structured sequence from the point of arrest through final disposition.
- Arrest and Booking: Following an arrest, the individual is transported to the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail for booking. Booking involves recording identifying information, photographing, fingerprinting, and entering charges into the system.
- Magistrate Review: A magistrate reviews the charges and determines whether probable cause exists to detain the individual. The magistrate also sets the initial bond amount or denies bond based on statutory criteria.
- Arraignment: The individual appears before a judge in the General District Court for arraignment, at which time charges are formally read and a plea is entered.
- Preliminary Hearing (Felony Cases): For felony charges, a preliminary hearing is held in General District Court to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to certify the case to the Circuit Court grand jury.
- Grand Jury Indictment: A grand jury reviews the evidence and, if probable cause is found, issues a formal indictment.
- Trial or Plea: The case proceeds to trial or is resolved through a negotiated plea agreement.
- Sentencing: Upon conviction, the court imposes a sentence in accordance with Virginia sentencing guidelines and applicable statutes.
- Appeals: Convicted individuals retain the right to appeal to the Court of Appeals of Virginia and, subsequently, to the Supreme Court of Virginia.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Charlottesville County?
Arrest records in Charlottesville are subject to retention schedules established under Virginia law and applicable local government records management policies. The Library of Virginia administers the General Schedule for State Agency Records and the Local Government General Schedule, which govern how long law enforcement agencies must retain various categories of records.
Under current retention requirements:
- Arrest records and booking logs are generally retained for a minimum of five years following the date of arrest, regardless of the outcome of the case.
- Felony case files maintained by law enforcement are typically retained for a period of ten years or longer, depending on the severity of the offense.
- Records related to violent crimes or capital offenses may be retained permanently.
- Fingerprint cards and biometric records submitted to the Virginia State Police CCRE are retained indefinitely as part of the statewide criminal history repository.
- Court records associated with criminal cases are maintained by the clerk of court in accordance with the Virginia Supreme Court Records Retention Schedule, which mandates permanent retention for felony conviction records.
Different agencies within the criminal justice system maintain independent retention schedules. The Charlottesville Police Department, the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail, the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office, and the clerk of court each retain records according to their respective schedules. Records retention serves the dual purpose of preserving evidence for potential future proceedings and maintaining accountability within the criminal justice system.
How to Find Mugshots in Charlottesville County
What Mugshots Are Mugshots are photographic images taken by law enforcement at the time of booking. They typically include a front-facing and profile photograph of the arrested individual, along with a placard displaying the booking date and case number.
Where Mugshots Are Maintained Mugshots are maintained by the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail as part of the booking record. Copies may also be retained by the arresting agency and the Virginia State Police as part of the criminal history record.
Finding Mugshots Members of the public may request copies of booking photographs by submitting a VFOIA request to the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail or the Charlottesville Police Department. Requests must identify the subject by name and, if known, the date of arrest or booking number.
Can They Be Found Online At present, the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail does not maintain a publicly accessible online mugshot database. Third-party websites may publish mugshots obtained from public records, but the accuracy and currency of such information cannot be verified through official channels.
Obtaining Mugshots Officially Official copies of booking photographs may be obtained by submitting a written VFOIA request to the relevant agency. A per-page or per-image fee may be assessed for copies in accordance with the fee schedule established under Virginia Code § 2.2-3704.
Restrictions on Mugshot Access Mugshots associated with juvenile arrests are not subject to public disclosure under Virginia law. Additionally, if a court has ordered the expungement of an arrest record, the associated booking photograph must also be destroyed or returned to the petitioner pursuant to the expungement order.