Virginiabeach County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Virginia Beach
Arrest records in Virginia Beach 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 that all public records maintained by government bodies are presumed open unless a specific exemption applies. Law enforcement records, including arrest logs, booking data, and incident reports, fall within the scope of records subject to disclosure under this framework.
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 indicate guilt or a criminal conviction. A conviction record, by contrast, reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court of law. Under current Virginia law, an individual may have an arrest record without any corresponding conviction if charges were dropped, dismissed, or resulted in an acquittal. The Virginia State Police maintains the Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE), which serves as the statewide repository for criminal history information, including both arrest and conviction data, pursuant to Virginia Code § 19.2-387.
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Virginia Beach may submit requests to the Virginia Beach Police Department or access certain records through the Virginia State Police. Some exemptions apply, including records that could compromise ongoing investigations or endanger individuals.
What's in Virginia Beach Arrest Records
Virginia Beach arrest records contain a standardized set of data fields compiled at the time of booking and throughout the processing of a criminal case. The following categories represent the typical contents of an arrest record maintained by the Virginia Beach Police Department and related agencies.
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye color, and hair color
- Race and gender
- Last known residential address
- Social Security Number (restricted from general public disclosure)
Arrest Details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Name and badge number of arresting officer
- Arresting agency (e.g., Virginia Beach Police Department)
- Circumstances and narrative summary of the arrest
Charge Information:
- Specific criminal charges filed
- Virginia Code section(s) alleged to have been violated
- Classification of offense (felony, misdemeanor, or infraction)
- Number of counts per charge
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number and issuing court
- Date warrant was issued
- Type of warrant (arrest warrant, bench warrant)
Booking Information:
- Booking number and date
- Facility where the individual was processed
- Fingerprint and photograph (mugshot) notation
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bond type (personal recognizance, secured bond, no bond)
- Bond amount set by the court or magistrate
- Bond conditions imposed
Court Information:
- Case number assigned by the court
- Scheduled court appearance dates
- Assigned court division or judge
Custody Status:
- Current custody status (in custody, released, transferred)
- Release date and method of release
Additional Information May Include:
- Prior arrest history references
- Probation or parole status at time of arrest
- Co-defendants listed in the same incident
- Incident report number cross-referenced with police offense reports
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Virginia Beach in 2026
Members of the public may obtain arrest records in Virginia Beach through several official channels. The process varies depending on the type of record sought and the intended use.
Step 1 – Identify the Correct Agency. Arrest records are maintained by the Virginia Beach Police Department for local arrests. The Virginia State Police maintains statewide criminal history records through the CCRE. The Virginia Beach Circuit Court Clerk's Office holds court case records associated with arrests that proceeded to prosecution.
Step 2 – Submit a FOIA Request. Pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.2-3704, any person may submit a written public records request to the Virginia Beach Police Department. Requests may be submitted by mail, email, or in person. The agency is required to respond within five business days.
Virginia Beach Police Department 2509 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23456 (757) 385-5000 Virginia Beach Police Department Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Step 3 – Request Criminal History from Virginia State Police. For a comprehensive criminal history background check, members of the public may submit a request to the Virginia State Police. A fee is typically required for non-law-enforcement requestors.
Virginia State Police — Records Management Division 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, VA 23235 (804) 674-2000 Virginia State Police Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Step 4 – Check Court Records. The Virginia Beach Circuit Court Clerk's Office maintains case files for felony arrests and related proceedings.
Virginia Beach Circuit Court Clerk's Office 2425 Nimmo Parkway, Building 10B, Virginia Beach, VA 23456 (757) 385-8880 Virginia Beach Circuit Court Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
How To Find Virginia Beach Arrest Records Online
Several official online platforms provide access to arrest-related records for Virginia Beach. Members of the public may use the following resources to conduct searches without visiting a government office in person.
The Virginia Beach Open Data Portal provides access to police offense reports, including incident-level data that reflects arrests and law enforcement activity across the city. Members of the public may search and filter Virginia Beach police offense reports by date, offense type, and geographic area.
The Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System (OCIS), available through the Virginia Courts Case Information portal, allows members of the public to search court case records by name or case number. This system reflects cases that have been filed in Virginia General District Courts and Circuit Courts, including those originating from arrests in Virginia Beach.
The Virginia Inmate Locator, maintained by the Virginia Department of Corrections, enables members of the public to locate individuals currently incarcerated in state facilities. The Virginia Department of Corrections inmate locator includes individuals housed at the Virginia Beach City Jail and state correctional facilities.
The Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office maintains a jail roster for individuals currently held at the Virginia Beach Correctional Center.
Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office 2501 James Madison Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23456 (757) 385-4700 Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
How To Search Virginia Beach Arrest Records for Free
Members of the public may access certain arrest-related records in Virginia Beach at no cost through the following official channels.
- Virginia Beach Open Data Portal: The city's open data platform provides free, searchable access to police offense report data. Members of the public may filter Virginia Beach police offense data by offense type, date range, and neighborhood without creating an account or paying a fee.
- Virginia Courts Online Case Information System: The OCIS portal at courts.state.va.us provides free public access to court case records, including cases arising from arrests in Virginia Beach.
- Virginia Department of Corrections Inmate Locator: The VADOC inmate locator tool is available at no charge and allows searches by name for individuals in state custody.
- In-Person Inspection: Under the VFOIA, members of the public have the right to inspect public records in person at no cost. Fees may apply only when copies are requested.
- Virginia Beach Sheriff's Jail Roster: The current jail roster maintained by the Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office is publicly accessible online at no charge.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Virginia Beach
Virginia law provides two primary legal mechanisms for limiting public access to arrest records: expungement (legal erasure) and sealing (restricting public access). These are distinct remedies with different eligibility criteria and legal effects.
Expungement results in the physical destruction or removal of arrest records from law enforcement and court databases. Under Virginia Code § 19.2-392.2, a person may petition for expungement of arrest records if the charge was dismissed, the person was acquitted, or the person received an absolute pardon. Expungement is not available for most convictions under current Virginia law.
Sealing restricts public access to records without destroying them. Virginia's sealing law, enacted through the Virginia Clean Slate Act, provides for the automatic sealing of certain misdemeanor convictions and deferred disposition records after a waiting period, subject to eligibility requirements.
Eligibility for Expungement:
- Charges that were nolle prossed (not prosecuted) or dismissed
- Acquittals at trial
- Absolute pardons issued by the Governor
- Cases where the individual was not the person arrested (mistaken identity)
Steps to Petition for Expungement:
- Obtain a copy of the arrest record and court disposition from the Virginia Beach Circuit Court Clerk's Office.
- Complete the Petition for Expungement form available from the Virginia Beach Circuit Court.
- File the petition in the Virginia Beach Circuit Court along with the required filing fee.
- Serve a copy of the petition on the Commonwealth's Attorney for Virginia Beach.
- Attend the scheduled hearing; the court will determine whether expungement is warranted.
- If granted, the court order is forwarded to the Virginia State Police and relevant agencies for record removal.
Virginia Beach Commonwealth's Attorney's Office 2425 Nimmo Parkway, Building 10A, Virginia Beach, VA 23456 (757) 385-4992 Virginia Beach Commonwealth's Attorney Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
What Happens After Arrest in Virginia Beach
The criminal justice process in Virginia Beach follows a defined sequence of steps from the point of arrest through final case disposition.
1. Arrest and Booking. Following an arrest, the individual is transported to the Virginia Beach Correctional Center for booking. This process includes fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal identifying information.
2. Initial Appearance Before a Magistrate. Within a short period following arrest, the individual appears before a magistrate who determines whether probable cause exists and sets bond conditions.
3. Arraignment. The individual is formally advised of the charges in court and enters an initial plea. Felony cases are heard in the Virginia Beach Circuit Court; misdemeanor cases are heard in the Virginia Beach General District Court.
4. 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 grand jury.
5. Grand Jury Review (Felony Cases). A grand jury reviews the evidence and determines whether to issue an indictment.
6. Trial. The case proceeds to trial in the appropriate court. The defendant may elect a bench trial or jury trial.
7. Sentencing. Upon conviction, the court imposes a sentence in accordance with Virginia sentencing guidelines.
8. Appeals. Convicted individuals retain the right to appeal to the Virginia Court of Appeals and, subsequently, the Supreme Court of Virginia.
Virginia Beach General District Court 2425 Nimmo Parkway, Building 10, Virginia Beach, VA 23456 (757) 385-8641 Virginia Beach General District Court Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Virginia Beach
Arrest records in Virginia Beach are subject to retention schedules established under Virginia law and applicable state archival standards. The Virginia Public Records Act, codified at Virginia Code § 42.1-76 et seq., governs the retention, management, and disposition of public records maintained by state and local government agencies.
Under current law, retention periods vary by agency and record type:
- Virginia Beach Police Department: Arrest records and incident reports are generally retained for a minimum of seven years for misdemeanor arrests and indefinitely for felony arrests, in accordance with the Library of Virginia's General Schedule for Law Enforcement Records.
- Virginia State Police (CCRE): Criminal history records, including arrest data, are maintained indefinitely unless expunged by court order.
- Virginia Beach Circuit Court: Court case files associated with arrests are retained in accordance with the Library of Virginia's Court Records Retention Schedule, with felony case files retained permanently.
- Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office: Jail booking records are retained for a minimum of five years following release.
Different agencies maintain independent retention schedules, and records may persist across multiple systems even after expungement is granted at one agency. The Library of Virginia publishes official retention schedules applicable to all Virginia localities, which are available through the Library of Virginia Records Management program. Retention of arrest records serves the dual purpose of preserving evidence for potential future proceedings and maintaining accountability within the criminal justice system.
How to Find Mugshots in Virginia Beach
What Mugshots Are. A mugshot is a standardized photograph taken by law enforcement at the time of booking. Mugshots are part of the official arrest record and document the physical appearance of an individual at the time of their arrest.
Where Mugshots Are Maintained. In Virginia Beach, mugshots are maintained by the Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office at the Virginia Beach Correctional Center, the Virginia Beach Police Department, and the Virginia State Police through the CCRE. These photographs are associated with the individual's booking record and criminal history file.
Finding Mugshots. Members of the public may request mugshots through a formal FOIA request submitted to the Virginia Beach Police Department or the Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office. Requests must identify the individual by name and, where possible, date of arrest or booking number.
Can They Be Found Online. The City of Virginia Beach does not currently maintain a publicly accessible online mugshot database. However, certain arrest-related data, including offense reports, is available through the Virginia Beach Open Data Portal. Third-party websites may republish mugshot images obtained from public records, though the accuracy and currency of such information cannot be verified through official channels.
Obtaining Mugshots Officially. To obtain a mugshot through official channels, members of the public should submit a written FOIA request to:
Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office — Records Division 2501 James Madison Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23456 (757) 385-4700 Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Restrictions on Mugshot Access. Virginia law does not categorically prohibit the release of mugshots; however, exemptions under the VFOIA may apply where disclosure could compromise an ongoing investigation, endanger a witness, or reveal the identity of a confidential informant. Mugshots associated with juvenile arrests are not subject to public disclosure under Virginia law.