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  1. Prince William County Court
  2. Prince William County Arrest Records

Prince William County, Virginia Arrest Records

In Prince William County, arrest records are summary details of arrests by the county’s law enforcement agencies. These documents are created and maintained as evidence of arrests by the Prince William County Police Department, Manassas City Police Department, and other municipal police departments. 

Prince William County arrest records do not prove guilt; they allow the public to monitor law enforcement activities, ensure police actions are open to scrutiny, and provide public safety awareness. Per Section 2.2-3700 et seq. of the Virginia Code, Prince William County arrest records are public,  unless there are specific exemptions. Virginia distinguishes basic arrest details from Criminal History Record Information (CHRI). Access to CHRI is governed by Section 19.2-389 of the Virginia Code. Dissemination of criminal history records is restricted. Access is limited to law enforcement agencies and authorized entities.  

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Prince William, Virginia?

Yes, arrest records are public in Prince William County. According to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, government records (including Prince William County arrest records) are publicly accessible, unless there are exemptions. However, access to Prince William County arrest records is limited to Virginia residents and U.S. citizens. Additionally, custodian agencies may require identification to process requests. 

While arrest records are public in Prince William County, Section 2.2-3706 of the Virginia Code allows law enforcement agencies to withhold access to arrest records that relate to ongoing investigations, contain sensitive law enforcement techniques, or compromise safety.

What Do Public County Arrest Records Contain?

Arrest records serve as criminal information logs. Under Virginia laws, interested individuals can access basic information about arrests. A typical public-facing Prince William County arrest record contains:

  • Identifying details of the arrested person. This includes:
    • Full name 
    • Gender 
    • Date of birth 
    • Age
    • Resident address  
    • Offense description 
    • Date of arrest 
    • Case number. 

Although Prince William County arrest records are public, juvenile arrest records,  sealed and expunged records, and information protected by privacy laws are exempt from public scrutiny. 

Prince William County,  Virginia Arrest Search

In addition to county-level searches, there are other routes individuals can use to find Prince William County arrest records. The Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE) is a state-wide repository for criminal history data. Interested parties can access arrest information through Criminal History Record Checks. Record seekers can also find Prince William County arrest records as part of conviction records through the Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System 2.0, the Virginia Circuit Court Case Information portal, or the General District Court Online Case Information System. 

For a federal-level search for Prince William County arrest records, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) maintains a comprehensive national criminal history database that includes arrest information from law enforcement agencies and courts. Individuals can access their criminal histories (including arrest records) through the FBI Identity History Summary Checks. Interested parties can also access Prince William County’s arrest records through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). This search tool provides access to arrest information of individuals prosecuted under federal criminal laws.

Prince William County Inmate Locator

In Prince William County, the Sheriff’s Office does not operate the local jail facilities. Additionally,  the county does not maintain a searchable inmate roster. 

Individuals seeking access to arrest records in Prince William County should download the Prince William County Adult Arrest Report PDF or contact the agency responsible for the specific arrest.  

To search for Prince William County arrest information through inmate records, contact the Prince William County Adult Detention Center at 

9320 Lee Avenue, 

Manassas, 

VA 20110

Phone: (703) 792-6811 (during office hours)or (703) 792-6420 (after hours). 

Active Warrant Search in Prince William County

Prince William County arrest warrants are legal orders issued by the county's Magistrate Office, General District Court, or Circuit Court, authorizing law enforcement to take specific persons into custody. Arrest warrants are issued when law enforcement and prosecutors establish probable cause that a person committed or is suspected of committing a crime. Judges also issue arrest warrants for criminal contempt, violation of laws, and capias. 

To inquire about active arrest warrants in Prince William County, interested parties should contact the Prince William County Sheriff’s Office at:

9311 Lee Avenue, 

Manassas, 

VA 20110

Phone: (703) 792-6070.

Record seekers can also search for Prince William County’s arrest warrants through the Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System, or contact the Prince William County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office at:

9311 Lee Avenue, Level 3,

Manassas, 

VA 20110

Phone: (703) 792-6015 (main line), (703) 792-6030 (Criminal Division).

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Prince William County

It is possible to access arrest records for free in Prince William County. The Prince William County Police Department's Adult Arrest Logs provide free weekly updates on individuals arrested within the county. Likewise,  the Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System 2.0, the Virginia Circuit Court Case Information portal, and the General District Court Online Case Information System provide free access to court records. Interested individuals can access Prince William County’s arrest records for free through criminal case files. Record seekers can also visit the Prince William County Courthouse and use Public Access Terminals to access arrest information through case records, or request view-only access to criminal case records through court clerk offices. 

Prince William County Arrest Report

Arrest reports are official documents created by arresting officers in the aftermath of arrests. Unlike arrest records, which are summary data entries into custodial or judicial systems, arrest reports are detailed narratives of arrest events. A typical arrest report by a Prince William County law enforcement agency contains:

  • Narration of the events leading to the arrest 
  • The arresting officer’s observations 
  • Witness statements 
  • Evidence collected at the time of the arrest
  • The suspect's statements or behavior 
  • Time and location of the arrest 
  • Circumstances of the arrest incident. 

While arrest records serve as administrative logs, Prince William County arrest reports function as investigative narratives essential to criminal prosecutions. Prince William County arrest reports are public records. Nonetheless, the county restricts access more tightly than it does for basic arrest data. For instance, Prince William County's arrest reports are not accessible online. Individuals must submit formal record requests to access these documents. Additionally,  law enforcement agencies have the right to deny requests if public disclosure will jeopardize public safety or compromise active investigations. 

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Prince William County

Virginia permits both expungement and sealing of records. Expungement of arrest records in Prince William County is governed by Section 19.2-392.2 of the Virginia Code. Individuals can also seal their eligible Prince William County arrest records under the Virginia Clean Slate Act.

A Prince William County arrest record qualifies for expungement if it results from identity theft or is dismissed or acquitted, or if prosecutors did not file charges. These records may be eligible for automatic sealing under the Virginia Clean Slate Act. The Clean Slate Act also permits the sealing of certain misdemeanor and felony convictions.

To expunge or seal a Prince William County arrest record, the subject should:

  • Get a copy of the arrest record and disposition documents from law enforcement and the court.
  • Complete Form CC-1473 (Petition for Expungement).
  • Submit the completed form along with the supporting documents (certified copy of the arrest record and disposition documents) to the Prince William County Clerk of the Circuit Court.
  • Pay the filing fee.
  • Get fingerprinted by a law enforcement agency and submit to the Virginia State Police. 
  • The judge will evaluate the petition and determine whether the record merits expungement or sealing (if a hearing is required, the petitioner should attend).

How Do You Remove Prince William County Arrest Records From the Internet?

Owners of expunged records may need to take additional steps to remove their information from the internet. To remove a William County arrest record from the internet:

  • Expunge or seal the record to remove it from official databases.
  • Obtain certified copies of the expungement order.
  • Identify the third-party online sources of the arrest information and submit removal requests along with copies of the expungement order and the URLs publishing the record.
  • Opt out of data brokers’ websites through the “Do Not Sell My Info” or “Opt-Out” link at the footer of their websites.
  • Notify background check companies to update their database (if they have the record).