Fairfax County Arrest Records

Fairfax County arrest records are available through the Fairfax County Police Department, the Sheriff's Office Adult Detention Center, and the county's online open data portal, which provides five years of arrest charge data at no cost. This guide covers where to find arrest records in Fairfax County, how the county's open data tools work, what court records are available, and how to submit a formal records request under Virginia's FOIA law.

Fairfax County Police Department

The Fairfax County Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency in the county and handles the majority of arrests. The department maintains a Records Management Unit that processes requests for police reports, accident reports, arrest records, and background checks. Background checks are available for Fairfax County residents only through the local Records Management Unit.

One standout feature of Fairfax County is its open data approach. The department publishes five years of arrest charge data through its online ArcGIS dashboard, which is updated regularly and searchable by year. You can also download weekly crime data through the police department's Download Center. Data excludes expunged records and persons under age 18.

For FOIA requests about arrest records, send them to FCPDFOIA@fairfaxcounty.gov. The department can make reasonable charges for FOIA requests. For general records inquiries, call the main line or visit the Records Management Unit during business hours.

Fairfax County Open Data Portal

Fairfax County provides more online arrest data than most Virginia counties. The Fairfax County Police Open Data Portal at fcpod.org hosts several searchable dashboards you can use for free.

The Arrest Dashboard shows five years of arrest charge data pulled from the Police's iLeads reporting system. You can select data by year and review charge types and demographic breakdowns. The Crime Dashboard shows crime trends across the county. The Citations and Warnings Dashboards cover five years of traffic citations and warning data. All of these tools exclude expunged records and anyone under 18.

The Police Department Download Center lets you download full datasets of reported criminal incidents. Data is updated regularly and published in formats that work with spreadsheet and data tools. Personal identifying information is protected in line with the county's Trust Policy.

For court case records, the Virginia Courts Case Information System at vacourts.gov covers both Circuit Court and General District Court cases statewide. You can search by name or case number at no charge.

Fairfax County Sheriff's Office and Detention Center

The Fairfax County Sheriff's Office operates the Adult Detention Center. The jail holds people who have been arrested and are awaiting trial or serving short sentences. If you need to find out whether someone is currently in custody, contact the Sheriff's Office directly.

The Sheriff's Office can provide information about current inmates, including charges and bond amounts. For historical booking records, contact the Sheriff's Office directly or submit a FOIA request. Visitation scheduling, money deposits for inmates, and property release are handled through the detention center as well.

For certified statewide criminal history records, you will still need to go through the Virginia State Police CARE system. Use form SP-167 and mail it with a $15 fee to the VSP office in Richmond. Processing takes roughly 15 business days. More information is at vsp.virginia.gov. The VADOC Offender Locator covers anyone in a state correctional facility.

Fairfax County Court Records

Fairfax County has a Circuit Court and a General District Court. The Circuit Court is located at 4110 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22030. You can reach it at (703) 691-7320. The Circuit Court handles felony cases, trials, sentencing, and appeals from the General District Court. The clerk's office provides certified copies of court orders and judgments.

The General District Court handles misdemeanor charges, traffic offenses, and preliminary felony hearings. Both courts are searchable through the Virginia Judiciary case search tool. Under Virginia Code § 19.2-389, criminal history records are maintained centrally by the Virginia State Police through the Central Criminal Records Exchange.

For paper copies of case files, visit the clerk's office in person during business hours. The clerk can explain the copy fee schedule and accepted payment methods. Public access terminals are also available at the courthouse for self-service searches.

FOIA and Public Access in Fairfax County

Virginia's Freedom of Information Act at § 2.2-3704 covers all government records in Fairfax County, including arrest records. All public records are presumed open unless an exemption applies. The Fairfax County Police Department, Sheriff's Office, and court clerks must respond to written FOIA requests within five working days.

For the Police Department, send FOIA requests to FCPDFOIA@fairfaxcounty.gov. For other county agencies, send a written request directly to the records custodian. You do not need to say why you want the records. Describe them clearly: the person's name, dates, and type of record. Agencies can charge reasonable fees for copying and staff time.

Under Virginia law, the identity of arrested persons and the charges against them are public records. Active investigations are exempt. Juvenile records are sealed. If a request is expected to cost more than $200, the agency may require a deposit first. The FOIA Advisory Council can help at (804) 698-1810.

Expungement of Fairfax County Arrest Records

Under Virginia Code § 19.2-392.2, you can petition to have certain arrest records expunged if you were acquitted, if charges were dismissed or nolle prosequi, or if you were arrested but not charged and the record is inaccurate or misleading. An absolute pardon after wrongful conviction can also qualify.

Virginia generally does not allow expungement of convictions. New state laws taking effect July 2025 create a separate automatic sealing process for certain misdemeanor and felony convictions after applicable waiting periods. This is not the same as expungement.

To petition for expungement in Fairfax County, file with the Fairfax County Circuit Court. Your petition must describe the arrest and state the legal basis. You need to submit fingerprints through the Virginia State Police. The Commonwealth's Attorney receives a copy and may oppose. If there is opposition, a hearing is held. Filing fees apply at the clerk's office. Read the full law at the Virginia General Assembly's code search tool.

Fairfax County Police Resources

Independent Cities Near Fairfax County

Fairfax County is surrounded by several independent cities that operate their own court systems. The city of Fairfax, Falls Church, and Alexandria are independent cities adjacent to the county. These cities have separate police departments and court systems from the county. If the arrest occurred within one of those city limits, you will need to search that city's records, not the county's.

Nearby Counties

Fairfax County borders several other Northern Virginia counties. Make sure you are searching the correct jurisdiction for your case.