Find Arrest Records in Albemarle County

Albemarle County arrest records are held by multiple agencies including the Albemarle County Police Department, the Sheriff's Office, and the courts in Charlottesville. You can search for Albemarle County criminal records online through the free Virginia Courts Case Information System, or submit a formal request to the police department or Sheriff's Office for incident reports and booking data. This page covers all the ways to find arrest records in Albemarle County, what records are public, and the rules for requesting official criminal history information.

Albemarle County Police and Sheriff's Office

Albemarle County has two law enforcement agencies. The Albemarle County Police Department handles patrol and investigations throughout the county. The Albemarle County Sheriff's Office operates the local jail and provides courthouse security. Both agencies maintain arrest records, but the type of record you need will determine which one you contact.

The Albemarle County Police Department is the main contact for arrest reports and incident records. Requests for police reports and arrest records must be submitted in writing. The department asks that you include the date, time, and location of the incident, the names of the people involved, and the report number if you have it. Fees may apply for copies. You can contact the Records Unit at the address below.

The Albemarle County Sheriff's Office operates the county jail and maintains booking records. If you need to find out about someone currently in custody or need jail booking data, contact the Sheriff. The Sheriff's Office also serves warrants and civil process.

The Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail at 160 Peregory Lane serves Albemarle County, the City of Charlottesville, and Nelson County. You can reach the jail for inmate records, bond information, and court date inquiries.

The Albemarle County Sheriff's Office website provides contact information for the jail and information about inmate services. For the police department's records request form, visit albemarle.org/department/police.

The Sheriff's Office maintains booking records for the county detention facility. The office is located at 411 E. High Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902, and can be reached at (434) 972-4001.

The Albemarle County Sheriff's Office maintains the county jail and all arrest booking records for the county.

Booking records held by the Sheriff include the date of arrest, charges filed, bond amounts, and court dates for incarcerated individuals.

How to Search Albemarle County Arrest Records

The free online starting point for Albemarle County arrest records is the Virginia Courts Case Information System at vacourts.gov. You can search by party name or case number for both the Albemarle County Circuit Court and the General District Court. Results show charge descriptions, hearing dates, and case dispositions. There is no fee to search online, and no account is needed.

For a certified criminal history record, use the Virginia State Police CARE system. Individuals complete form SP-167 and mail it with a $15 fee to the VSP office. The form requires notarized signatures from both the requester and the subject of the search. Processing takes about 15 business days. The fee for a combined criminal history and sex offender registry check is $20. Visit vsp.virginia.gov to download the forms. Payment can be made by check, money order, or credit card.

For someone held in a state prison, use the VADOC Offender Locator. It does not include people in local jails, so for the Albemarle County Jail, contact the Sheriff's Office directly at (434) 972-4001.

Albemarle County Court Records

Albemarle County has a Circuit Court and a General District Court, both located in Charlottesville. The Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, civil matters, and appeals from the General District Court. Criminal records from the Circuit Court are available online and in person at the clerk's office. The clerk can provide certified copies of court orders and case documents for a per-page fee.

The Albemarle County General District Court at 501 E. Jefferson Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902, handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic cases, and preliminary hearings on felonies. You can reach the General District Court at (434) 972-4082. This court is often the first step in the criminal process, and its records show initial charges, bond decisions, and outcomes for lower-level offenses.

Virginia Code § 19.2-389 governs how criminal history record information is shared. The Central Criminal Records Exchange, run by the Virginia State Police, is the official statewide repository. Local court records and state criminal history records are separate systems, so searching both gives you the most complete picture.

FOIA and Public Access in Albemarle County

Virginia's FOIA law at § 2.2-3704 makes most arrest records public in Albemarle County. The law requires agencies to respond within five working days. Arrests, charges, and case status must be released. You do not need to state a reason for your request. Written requests work best. Be specific about what you need.

Certain records are exempt. Active investigations, juvenile records, victim identity information, and confidential informant data are not released. Records involving personnel matters and attorney-client communications are also protected. If an agency denies your request, it must cite the specific Code section it is relying on.

The Virginia FOIA Advisory Council can give you free guidance on your rights and how to frame a request. You can reach them at (804) 698-1810 or toll-free at 1-866-448-4100. The Council also publishes sample request letters and explanations of common exemptions on its website. In 2021, Virginia expanded FOIA to allow access to criminal investigative files once a case is no longer active.

Fee rules matter here. Agencies can charge for staff time and copying, but only the actual cost. The first two hours of search time are typically free. Copy fees run about $0.10 to $0.25 per page. If a request is expected to cost more than $200, the agency may require a deposit before proceeding.

Expungement of Albemarle County Arrest Records

If you have an arrest record in Albemarle County that did not result in a conviction, you may qualify to have it expunged under § 19.2-392.2 of the Virginia Code. Eligible situations include acquittals, dismissed charges, nolle prosequi decisions, or cases where an arrest was made but no charges were ever filed. People with absolute pardons may also petition for expungement.

Virginia generally does not expunge convictions, even for minor offenses. That is a key limitation compared to many other states. If you were found guilty, expungement is usually not an option unless you received an absolute pardon later. Starting in July 2025, new state laws may allow automatic sealing of certain lower-level convictions after waiting periods expire.

To file an expungement petition in Albemarle County, go to the Circuit Court clerk's office in Charlottesville. You file a petition that describes the arrest, the outcome, and the legal grounds for expungement. You will need to provide fingerprints through the Virginia State Police. The Commonwealth's Attorney gets a copy and may object. If there is opposition, a judge holds a hearing before deciding. The full expungement statute is at law.lis.virginia.gov under Title 19.2, Chapter 23.1.

Cities Near Albemarle County

The City of Charlottesville is an independent city completely surrounded by Albemarle County. It has its own court system separate from Albemarle County. Criminal cases from within the city limits go through Charlottesville city courts, not the Albemarle County courts. Make sure you know whether the arrest occurred in the city or the county before requesting records.

Nearby Counties

Albemarle County is in central Virginia. Several counties border it. Each has its own court system and Sheriff's Office handling local arrest records.