Arlington County Arrest Records

Arlington County arrest records are maintained by the Arlington County Police Department and Sheriff's Office, and can be searched through the Virginia Courts Case Information System, through the county's online Crime Incident Information system, or by submitting a FOIA request to the county. Arlington is one of Virginia's most urban counties and has a robust set of online tools and access options for arrest records, booking records, and court case data compared to many other counties in the state.

Arlington County Police Department

The Arlington County Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency for the county. It maintains comprehensive arrest records and crime data, and operates a Police Records Management Unit that processes all requests for arrest reports and incident records. The department offers multiple ways to get records: online requests, in-person visits, and mail.

The department operates an online Crime Incident Information system that the public can search for founded crime data. This includes arrest information and is updated regularly. For police incident report verifications, the department charges a $10 fee. You can also submit FOIA requests directly to the police department for more detailed records.

For a full certified statewide criminal history, you will need the Virginia State Police CARE system rather than just county-level records. The Police Department can help point you toward the right forms. Arrest statistics for Arlington County show a notable rise in juvenile arrests from 58 in 2021 to 188 in 2024, according to county data.

Arlington County Sheriff's Office

The Arlington County Sheriff's Office operates the Arlington County Detention Facility and maintains booking records for all inmates. The Sheriff's Office also provides inmate lookup services and visitation information. If you need to find out whether someone is currently held in the county detention center, contact the Sheriff's Office directly.

The Sheriff's Office and Police Department work closely together in Arlington. The Police Department handles active investigations and patrol-based arrests. The Sheriff runs the jail and handles courthouse security. For records related to an active arrest or booking, the Police Department's Records Unit is usually the right starting point.

How to Search Arlington County Arrest Records

The free online option is the Virginia Courts Case Information System at vacourts.gov. Search by name or case number to find Circuit Court and General District Court records. The tool shows charge details, hearing dates, and case outcomes. No account or fee is required.

Arlington County also provides a local Crime Incident Information system through the Police Department's website. This tool shows reported crime incidents by area and includes arrest data. It is useful for getting a sense of local criminal activity and looking up incident-level information tied to a specific address or neighborhood.

For a certified official criminal history, use the Virginia State Police CARE system. File form SP-167 with notarized signatures. The fee is $15. Mail to the VSP CARE office in Richmond. Processing takes about 15 business days. Full instructions at vsp.virginia.gov.

Arlington County's FOIA requests for arrest records go through the County Manager's Office centralized portal. Submit requests by phone at (703) 228-3130 or by mail to the FOIA Officer at 2100 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22201. The county responds within five business days as required by state law.

Note: Online case records will not show sealed or expunged records, juvenile cases, or active investigations. The department also excludes persons under age 18 from publicly available arrest dashboards.

Arlington County Court Records

Arlington County has both a Circuit Court and a General District Court, both located at the Arlington Courthouse complex. Each handles different types of criminal cases and maintains separate public records.

The Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, jury trials, and sentencing. It also hears appeals from the General District Court. Felony records from Arlington County are at the Circuit Court. Search records online at vacourts.gov or visit the clerk's office in person. Certified copies of orders and judgments are available for a fee per page.

The General District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings for felony charges. This court handles a very high volume of cases given Arlington's urban density. Records from both courts are searchable through the state case information system. Under Virginia Code § 19.2-389, the Central Criminal Records Exchange at the Virginia State Police is the official statewide repository for criminal history record information.

Arlington County also borders the District of Columbia and is near several other major jurisdictions. If a case originated in Alexandria (an independent city), it would go through Alexandria city courts. The online vacourts.gov tool covers all Virginia jurisdictions in one search, which is useful when you are not sure where a case was filed.

FOIA and Public Access in Arlington County

The Virginia Freedom of Information Act at § 2.2-3704 gives citizens the right to request government records, including arrest records. All public records are open by default unless a specific exemption applies. Arlington County must respond to your request within five working days.

Arlington County provides a centralized FOIA request process through the County Manager's Office. You can submit requests for arrest records and police reports through that office. For police-specific records, you can also contact the Police Department's FOIA compliance staff directly. You do not need to state a reason for your request. Describe the records with enough detail that staff can locate them. Fees must not exceed actual cost for copies and staff time.

Virginia law requires that the identity of arrested persons, the charges against them, and the current status of charges be released on request. Active investigations and juvenile records are exempt from disclosure. If you need help with the FOIA process, the FOIA Advisory Council provides guidance at (804) 698-1810 or foiacouncil@dls.virginia.gov.

Expungement of Arlington County Arrest Records

Virginia allows certain arrest records to be expunged under § 19.2-392.2. You may petition if you were acquitted, if the charge was dismissed or nolle prosequi, or if you were arrested but never charged and the record is inaccurate or causing harm. People who received an absolute pardon after conviction may also qualify in some situations.

Virginia does not generally allow expungement of convictions. If you were found guilty, the record stays public in most cases. Starting in July 2025, certain misdemeanor and some felony convictions may qualify for automatic sealing under new state law after required waiting periods pass.

To petition for expungement in Arlington County, file with the Circuit Court at the Arlington courthouse. Include the arrest details and the legal basis for your petition. You must provide fingerprints through the Virginia State Police. The Commonwealth's Attorney gets a copy and may oppose the petition. If opposed, the court schedules a hearing. Filing fees apply. Read the full statute at the Virginia General Assembly's Code search tool.

Cities Near Arlington County

Arlington County does not contain any independent cities within its borders. It borders the independent City of Alexandria to the south, which operates its own separate court system and police department. Cases originating in Alexandria go through Alexandria city courts. Arlington also borders the District of Columbia to the north and east. Cases involving federal jurisdiction go through the federal court system, not Virginia state courts.

Nearby Counties

Arlington County is in northern Virginia. If the case or incident may have taken place in a neighboring jurisdiction, check these nearby counties.