Virginia Beach City, Virginia Arrest Records
Arrest records are originally law enforcement documents that provide information on the arrest and detainment of individuals. Under Virginia Code § 15.2-1722, arrest records should include the identity of the arrested person, nature of the arrest, and information on the charge (if any). This law also requires law enforcement agencies to maintain these records along with incident and investigative reports that are necessary for the agency’s operation.
Hence, individuals may find arrest records with the arresting agency, or obtain arrest information from other criminal justice agencies related to the case, i.e., court, jails, or statewide repositories of criminal or case information. As an incorporated city, Virginia Beach operates independently from any county and has its own Sheriff’s Office and primary law enforcement agency - the Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD).
Therefore, individuals may find local arrest records with the VBPD and detention information with the Sheriff’s Office that operates the central jail - the Virginia Beach Correctional Center.
Are Arrest Records Public Information in Virginia Beach, Virginia?
Yes, arrest records are mostly public information in Virginia Beach. As per the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, criminal justice agencies are required to provide information concerning the arrest and detainment of adults, including:
- The identity of persons arrested and charged
- Arrest or charge status.
- Photographs taken during booking, unless if disclosure can compromise investigations of felony cases
While access to comprehensive criminal history records may be limited, Virginia Code § 9.1-126(C) states that public factual information concerning an individual’s arrest, prosecution, release, or correctional status shall remain available to citizens of the Commonwealth.
However, record custodians may ask requesters to provide their names and legal addresses, as well as specifically identify the needed records. Agencies may also charge reasonable fees for searching, retrieving, and duplicating records.
What Do Virginia Beach Public City Arrest Records Contain?
In line with state laws, persons who request arrest records may obtain the following information:
- Arrestee’s first and last name
- Arrestee’s mugshot and/or other identifying descriptions like DOB/age, sex, race, height, and weight
- Arrest and/or booking date and time
- Offense date and charge descriptions
- Case number and status
- Current custody status
- Release or bond details.
However, custodians may restrict access to the following records at their discretion or as required by law:
- Criminal investigative files, like witness statements, evidence, notes, and reports
- Identifying information on witnesses, victims, anonymous informants, and undercover officers
- Juvenile arrest records
- Sealed or expunged records
- Other information that may endanger public or personnel safety.
Virginia Beach City, Virginia Arrest Search
There are several state and federal repositories that can help individuals obtain arrest information. These include:
- Virginia Judiciary online case information system
- Virginia State Police (VSP) official background check
- Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) inmate and supervisee locator
- Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) inmate locator
Excluding background checks through the VSP, these resources are available for online searches. These criminal justice agencies maintain information related to an individual’s arrest, prosecution, conviction, and incarceration but the scope of available information depends on the agency’s duties. Hence, the statewide court repository shall contain more case and disposition details than arrest information, while inmate locators shall provide more booking or detention details. Record seekers should therefore determine which tool will provide the needed information.
Generally, users can conduct online searches by name or number (inmate ID#, case number, or other unique identifier). Additional information like location and dates may also help narrow down results for name-based searches.
However, state or federal inmate locators only provide information on prisoners within the respective agency’s jurisdiction. Furthermore, the VSP only provides comprehensive criminal history information to the record subject and authorized entities. Record subjects may also request local criminal records through the Virginia Beach Police Department.
Virginia Beach City Inmate Locator
In Virginia Beach City, the VBPD is the primary law enforcement agency that arrests suspects and books them into the central jail, which the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office (VBSO) operates. Hence, persons seeking local arrest records may contact the VBPD at:
Virginia Beach Police Department
2405 Courthouse Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Phone: (757) 385-4331 (Records)
Fax: (757) 385-4098 (Records)
Email: VBPD@vbgov.com.
Additionally, the VBSO provides an inmate lookup tool to locate persons currently or previously housed in the Virginia Beach Correctional Center (VBCC). Users may perform searches by name (first name, last name, or both) with date of birth or by identifying number (booking number, ICE number, state ID, etc.). Persons can also choose to search only current inmates or include released inmates in the result page.
The database search result may include a single match or list of matches and include each entry’s full name, DOB, booking number, permanent ID, and release date (if any). Clicking on a name shall lead users to the inmate’s complete public profile which shall include a mugshot and provide more inmate, housing, and charge details.
For additional information, interested persons may contact:
Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office
2501 James Madison Boulevard,
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Phone: (757) 385-1971
Fax: (757) 385-1798
Email: pso@vbso.net.
Active Warrant Search in Virginia Beach City
Arrest warrants are official documents that order or authorize a law enforcement officer to take a person into custody. In Virginia Beach City, a magistrate or judge issues arrest warrants once a complainant provides evidence or supporting statements establishing probable cause that an individual committed a crime. Pursuant to Virginia Code § 19.2-72, warrants must:
- Be directed to appropriate law enforcement officers
- Name or reasonably identify/describe the accused
- Command the arrest and court appearance of the accused
- Describe the charged offense with reasonable certainty
- Be signed by the issuing magistrate or court.
Once an arrest warrant is issued in Virginia Beach City, the magistrate's office or court forwards it to the Virginia Beach Police Department. The General District Court may also forward some warrants to the Sheriff’s Office.
While arrest warrants are mostly public, there is no local online database for active warrants since the VBPD transitioned to a new data management system in December 2022, making the ePro Active Warrant Search tool inactive. Therefore, persons seeking information on arrest warrants may submit FOIA requests online or direct their inquiries to:
Virginia Beach Police Department
2405 Courthouse Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Phone: (757) 385-4331 (Records)
Fax: (757) 385-4098 (Records)
Email: VBPD@vbgov.com.
Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office
2501 James Madison Boulevard,
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Phone: (757) 385-1971
Fax: (757) 385-1798
Email: pso@vbso.net.
|
Agency / Resource |
Purpose |
Search Methods |
Notes |
|
Virginia Beach Police Department |
Maintains and serves active warrants |
In person, phone, email, and online FOIA requests |
The Records and Reports Unit handles requests. Local background checks may also show warrant information. |
|
Virginia Beach City Sheriff’s Office |
Maintains and serves warrants |
Mail, phone, fax, email, and online FOIA requests |
The Public Information Office handles requests. |
|
Court clerks/online case information system |
Files served warrants |
Contact the clerk in person, via mail, or online Check active criminal cases on the statewide case information system by name, case number, or date. |
Unexecuted warrants issued by the Magistrate may be unavailable. |
How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Virginia Beach City
Free access to arrest information is mostly available through the VBSO’s inmate lookup tool, the statewide case information system, and to persons inspecting records in person - if the record is recent and the custodian does not charge any fee for record search or retrieval. Otherwise, persons may use reliable third-party sites as an alternative.
However, online searches may provide limited arrest information and in-person inspections may be stressful as it may require requesters to visit the custodian, present valid IDs, and provide specific descriptions (preferably in writing) identifying the needed document.
Virginia Beach City Arrest Report
An arrest report is an official account of circumstances surrounding an arrest by the arresting officer. This report specifies the reason for arrest (warrant or warrantless) and may include the arrestee’s details, incident/offense summary, charges/code violated, victim/witness details, and arrest date, time, and location.
As such, access to arrest reports is mostly restricted because of the sensitive information that the report may contain and because public release may jeopardize investigation, hinder prosecution, or potentially cause an individual harm. Law enforcement agencies may however provide copies to the public after redacting all sensitive details.
Arrest reports should not be confused with arrest logs (police blotter) that list recent arrests or arrest records that provide summarized details showing that an individual was arrested and charged. Law enforcement agencies generate, maintain, and provide access to these documents in line with their duties and the state’s Freedom of Information Act.
How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Virginia Beach City
Chapter 23.1 of the Virginia Code authorizes the expungement of non-conviction arrests in Virginia Beach City. Persons may qualify for expungement under this law if:
- The charges are dismissed or a nolle prosequi is taken
- The person is acquitted of all charges
- The person is granted an absolute pardon for crimes they did not commit
- The case was that of stolen identity.
Expungement in Virginia means that all law enforcement, court, and jail records related to the arrest or charge are removed from public access. Eligible persons may file a petition at the Virginia Beach Circuit Court if the original criminal charge or arrest occurred in the city. The petition should state relevant facts, include a complete set of fingerprints, and request the expungement of all related police and court records.
However, effective July 2026, a new record sealing law will take effect that automatically seals qualified non-conviction arrests at case conclusion, and also seals some deferred dismissals, certain conviction records, and ancillary matters after a specified waiting period. The following may qualify for automatic or petition sealing:
Automatic sealing:
- Non-conviction misdemeanor cases if acquitted or dismissed with prejudice (from July 2026)
- Previously concluded misdemeanor non-convictions including dismissal, nolle prosequi, and acquittal
- Non-conviction felony cases if acquitted or dismissed with prejudice (upon verbal request and at case conclusion)
- Misdemeanor convictions and traffic infractions
- Possession of marijuana offenses
Petition sealing:
- Certain non-violent and non-sexual Class 5-6 felony convictions
- Misdemeanor convictions, deferred dismissals, and related ancillary matters (with exceptions)
- Misdemeanor convictions and deferred dismissals that were eligible for automatic sealing but could not be sealed
- Certain misdemeanor convictions, deferred dismissals, and related ancillary matters that do not qualify for automatic sealing.
How Do You Remove Virginia Beach City Arrest Records From the Internet?
Once the Circuit Court orders the expungement of a record, all related law enforcement agencies, courts, and jails shall remove related information from public access. This means that the record shall also be removed from the agency’s online database or case information system.
Under state laws, sealed records remain somewhat accessible to some government agencies or, upon court order. However, any public employee who intentionally and knowingly releases sealed records can be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor.
To remove arrest records from third-party sites, individuals should contact each website, providing a copy of the court expungement/seal order and requesting that they remove all relevant records from public access.