Search Prince George County Arrest Records

Prince George County arrest records are maintained by the County Police Department at 6600 Courts Drive and can be accessed through the Virginia Courts Case Information System online, requested in person or by mail, or obtained through the Virginia State Police criminal history program. Prince George County is located south of the City of Hopewell and east of Petersburg in the greater Richmond region. It follows Virginia's public records laws, which provide free online access to court case data and a paid certified history option through state police. This guide covers how to find arrest records in Prince George County and what to expect from each source.

Prince George County Police Department

Prince George County operates a Police Department rather than a Sheriff's Office as its primary law enforcement agency. The department handles day-to-day law enforcement, makes arrests, and maintains incident reports and booking records for the county. If you need arrest records from Prince George County, the Police Department is the first place to contact.

Requests can be submitted in person at the department or by mail. Include the full name of the subject, the approximate date of the arrest, and any case number you have. Requests for incident reports may require a written FOIA request. The department processes requests during regular business hours, and fees may apply for copies.

Note that Prince George County also has a Sheriff's Office, but it primarily handles court security and civil process rather than law enforcement. For arrest records and incident reports, contact the Police Department. For a statewide criminal history, use the Virginia State Police CARE system.

How to Search Prince George County Arrest Records

Start with the free Virginia Courts Case Information System. Search by name or case number to see records from the Prince George County Circuit Court and General District Court. Results show charges, court dates, and dispositions. No login or fee is needed.

For a certified criminal history, use the Virginia State Police CARE system. Fill out form SP-167 and mail it with a $15 fee to VSP in Richmond. The form and instructions are at vsp.virginia.gov. Searching another person's records requires their notarized written consent. Processing takes about 15 business days.

Prince George County borders the independent cities of Hopewell and Petersburg. Those are separate jurisdictions with their own police departments and court systems. If the arrest occurred in Hopewell or Petersburg, you need to contact those cities rather than the county. Always confirm the jurisdiction before submitting a request.

For state prison inmates, check the VADOC Offender Locator. For local jail inquiries, contact the Prince George County Police Department or Sheriff's Office. In-person visits to the courthouse are available during business hours at both court levels. Bring photo ID and case details.

Sealed, expunged, and juvenile records are not accessible through public online searches. You need a formal court petition to access those records.

Prince George County Court Records

Prince George County has a Circuit Court and a General District Court, both located at the courthouse on Courts Drive. Each handles different criminal matter types and both maintain publicly accessible records.

The Circuit Court handles felony cases, including trials, pleas, and sentencing. It also takes appeals from the General District Court. If someone was charged with a felony in Prince George County, that case file is at the Circuit Court clerk's office. Certified copies of court orders and judgments are available for a per-page fee.

The General District Court handles misdemeanor cases, traffic violations, and initial hearings on felony charges. Both courts are searchable through the statewide online portal. Under § 19.2-389 of the Code of Virginia, comprehensive criminal history data is maintained statewide through the Central Criminal Records Exchange at the Virginia State Police.

FOIA and Public Access in Prince George County

The Virginia Freedom of Information Act at § 2.2-3704 gives you the right to request government records from public agencies, including arrest information. Records are presumed open unless a specific exemption applies. Prince George County agencies must respond to FOIA requests within five working days.

Write a request to the records custodian at the agency you need. No reason is required. Describe the records: person's name, record type, and relevant dates. Agencies may charge only actual copying and staff time costs. If estimated costs exceed $200, they may require a deposit first.

Virginia law makes arrest identities and charges public information. Active investigations are protected. Juvenile records are confidential. The Virginia FOIA Advisory Council can help if you encounter problems, at (804) 698-1810 or foiacouncil@dls.virginia.gov.

Note: A 2021 amendment expanded public access to completed criminal investigation files. Agencies responding to those specific requests may take up to 60 additional work days.

Expungement of Prince George County Arrest Records

Virginia law allows some arrest records to be sealed through expungement. Under § 19.2-392.2, you can petition if you were acquitted, if charges were dismissed or nolle prosequi, or if you were arrested but never charged and the record is causing harm. An absolute pardon after conviction may also qualify you.

Most convictions are not eligible for expungement under current Virginia law. Virginia restricts this relief more than many other states. New laws taking effect in July 2025 may allow some misdemeanor and felony convictions to be sealed automatically after waiting periods, but only for qualifying offense types.

To seek expungement in Prince George County, file a petition with the Circuit Court. Include full case details and your legal grounds. You must also submit fingerprints through the Virginia State Police. The Commonwealth's Attorney receives notice and may oppose the petition. If contested, the court holds a hearing. Filing fees apply at the clerk's office. Read the full statute at the Virginia General Assembly's Code search tool.

Cities Near Prince George County

Prince George County borders several independent Virginia cities, including Hopewell and Petersburg. These are separate jurisdictions from the county and have their own police departments, courts, and records systems. If the arrest occurred in one of those cities, you need to contact city agencies. The county seat of Prince George handles all county-level criminal matters through the county courts.

Nearby Counties

Prince George County is south of Richmond in the greater metro area. Verify the correct jurisdiction before submitting your request.