Criminal records in Arlington, Virginia, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. ArlingtonCourt.us can help you find publicly available criminal case information for Arlington County. You can also search records through the Virginia court system's online portal, the Arlington County Sheriff's Office, and the Arlington Circuit Court Clerk's Office, each of which maintains different types of criminal record data.
How to Search Criminal Records in Arlington
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Arlington County. The method you choose depends on what information you have and what type of record you need.
Search Through ArlingtonCourt.us
Start with ArlingtonCourt.us to search for publicly available court record information related to criminal cases in Arlington County.
Online — Virginia Court Case Information System
The Virginia Judiciary offers a statewide Case Status and Information portal. This system provides online access to criminal and traffic case information from General District Courts, Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Courts, and Circuit Courts across Virginia, including Arlington. You can search by:
- Person's name (last name required; first name optional)
- Case number
This tool displays case details such as charges, hearing dates, and disposition information. No account is required for basic searches.
Online — Arlington County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search
If you need to find someone currently held at the Arlington County Detention Facility, use the Arlington County Sheriff's Office Inmate In Custody Search. You can search by:
- Name
- Subject number
- Booking number
- Booking date range
Online — Virginia Department of Corrections
For individuals sentenced to state custody, the Virginia Department of Corrections Inmate Locator covers state correctional facilities, including transfers from the Arlington County Detention Center.
In Person
Visit the Arlington Circuit Court Clerk's Office or the Arlington General District Court to use public access terminals or request assistance from court staff. Bring the person's full legal name and date of birth if possible.
Arlington Circuit Court
Arlington General District Court
By Mail or Written Request
You can submit a written request for criminal record information to the Arlington Circuit Court Clerk's Office. Include the subject's full name, date of birth, and case number if known. For a formal Virginia criminal history record, submit a request to the Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE), which serves as the state's criminal history repository. Requests to the CCRE typically require fingerprint submission.
Search Arlington Criminal Cases by Case Number
Virginia uses a structured case numbering format across all courts. Understanding the format helps you locate records quickly.
A typical Virginia case number includes:
- Court code — a prefix identifying the specific court (e.g., Arlington Circuit Court or Arlington General District Court)
- Case type indicator — a letter or letters designating the case category (e.g., "CR" for criminal, "FE" for felony, "MI" for misdemeanor)
- Year — the two-digit or four-digit year the case was filed
- Sequential number — a unique number assigned to the case in order of filing
For example, a case number might appear as CR00001234-00, where "CR" indicates a criminal case and the trailing digits represent the sequence and count number. When searching by case number on the Virginia courts case information system, enter the number exactly as it appears on court documents, including any dashes or leading zeros.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Arlington
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | Virginia Code section under which the defendant is charged (e.g., § 18.2-95 for grand larceny) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction — determines which court handles the case |
| Amended charges | Original charges may be reduced or changed through plea agreements or prosecutorial discretion |
Felony cases in Arlington are tried in Circuit Court. Misdemeanors and traffic infractions are generally handled by General District Court.
Case Status
- Pending — case is open and awaiting further court action
- Active — proceedings are underway
- Disposed — the court has reached a final resolution
- Closed — all court obligations are completed, including any sentence or probation
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — initial court appearance where charges are read and a plea may be entered
- Preliminary hearing — held in General District Court for felony charges to determine probable cause before transfer to Circuit Court
- Pre-trial — motions, discovery issues, and scheduling before trial
- Trial — bench or jury trial on the merits
- Sentencing — court imposes punishment after a guilty finding
- Review hearing — follow-up on compliance with probation or court orders
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty — defendant found or pleaded guilty
- Not guilty — acquitted of the charge
- Nolle prosequi — prosecution declined to proceed
- Dismissed — case dropped by the court or prosecutor
- Deferred disposition — judgment withheld pending completion of conditions (common in first-offender programs)
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Arlington
From the Arlington Circuit Court Clerk's Office
Certified copies of criminal case records from Circuit Court can be requested from the Clerk of Court. The current Clerk is Hon. Paul F. Ferguson.
- Visit the Arlington Circuit Court Clerk's Office in person, or submit a written request by mail.
- Provide the defendant's full legal name, date of birth, and case number.
- Bring a valid government-issued photo ID if requesting in person.
- Pay the required copy and certification fees (see fee section below).
From the Virginia State Police (Criminal History Record)
For a comprehensive Virginia criminal history report, contact the Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange. Requests generally require:
- A completed SP-167 form (for personal review) or SP-230 form (for third-party requests)
- Fingerprint card or electronic fingerprint submission
- Payment of the applicable fee
Public access to judicial records is governed by Part Eleven of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia. Some records may be restricted based on case type or court order. Applicable court forms are available on the Virginia Judiciary website.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Arlington
Fees for criminal record copies in Virginia courts are set by statute under Virginia Code § 17.1-275 and related sections.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Uncertified copy of court record (per page) | $0.50 |
| Certification of a document | $2.00 |
| Search fee (Clerk's Office) | Varies; contact clerk |
| Virginia State Police criminal history (personal review, SP-167) | $15.00 |
| Virginia State Police criminal history (third-party/national, with fingerprints) | $15.00–$40.00+ depending on type |
Processing Times
- In-person requests at the Clerk's Office — often processed the same day or within a few business days
- Mail requests — typically 1–2 weeks, depending on volume
- Virginia State Police criminal history — approximately 10–15 business days for mail-in requests; electronic submissions may be faster
Contact the Arlington Circuit Court Clerk's Office at (703) 228-7010 to confirm current fees before submitting a request. Fee amounts are subject to change based on legislative updates.