Fairfax County Public Records /Fairfax County Criminal Records

Fairfax County Criminal Records

What Is Fairfax County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Fairfax County constitute official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records encompass a comprehensive range of information pertaining to arrests, charges, court proceedings, and case dispositions as maintained by various county agencies pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.

Criminal records in Fairfax County are categorized by several important distinctions:

Arrest vs. Conviction Records: Arrest records document when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, while conviction records indicate that a court has found the individual guilty of a criminal offense. Under § 19.2-392.2 of the Virginia Code, arrest records without subsequent convictions may be eligible for expungement under certain circumstances.
Felony vs. Misdemeanor Records: Felonies represent more serious offenses punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year, while misdemeanors are less severe crimes typically punishable by up to twelve months in jail. This classification significantly impacts record accessibility and retention periods.
Adult vs. Juvenile Records: Records for individuals 18 and older are generally public, whereas juvenile records (under 18) are sealed pursuant to § 16.1-301 of the Virginia Code, with limited exceptions for serious offenses.
Active Warrants vs. Historical Records: Active warrants represent current enforcement actions, while historical records document past criminal justice interactions.

Several Fairfax County agencies maintain criminal records:

Fairfax County Sheriff's Office
4110 Chain Bridge Road
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-246-3227
Fairfax County Sheriff's Office

Fairfax County Circuit Court
4110 Chain Bridge Road
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-691-7320
Fairfax County Circuit Court

Fairfax County Police Department
12099 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035
703-246-2272
Fairfax County Police Department

Virginia State Police
Criminal Records Division
P.O. Box 27472
Richmond, VA 23261
804-674-2000
Virginia State Police

Fairfax County criminal records typically include information about charges, arraignments, pleas, trials, sentencing, and probation/parole status. The specific content varies based on the case progression through the criminal justice system and the maintaining agency's documentation protocols.

Are Criminal Records Public In Fairfax County

Criminal records in Fairfax County are generally considered public information under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA), codified in § 2.2-3700 et seq. of the Code of Virginia. This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including criminal records, shall be open to inspection by Virginia citizens and representatives of media outlets, with certain statutory exceptions.

The VFOIA states: "The affairs of government are not intended to be conducted in an atmosphere of secrecy since at all times the public is to be the beneficiary of any action taken at any level of government." This principle underpins public access to criminal records in Fairfax County.

The following categories of criminal records are typically accessible to the public:

Adult conviction records
Court dockets and calendars
Criminal case files after disposition
Sentencing information
Incarceration records
Sex offender registry information

However, several important exceptions limit public access to certain criminal records:

Records pertaining to ongoing investigations, as protected under § 2.2-3706 of the Virginia Code
Juvenile records (with limited exceptions for violent offenses), as sealed under § 16.1-301
Expunged records pursuant to court order
Records sealed by judicial order
Information that would compromise law enforcement techniques
Records that would endanger the safety of any person
Information that would jeopardize ongoing criminal investigations or prosecutions

The Virginia Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access court records while recognizing these statutory limitations. In the case of Daily Press, LLC v. Commonwealth, the court affirmed that "the presumption of openness can be overcome only by an overriding interest based on findings that closure is essential to preserve higher values and is narrowly tailored to serve that interest."

Law enforcement agencies in Fairfax County maintain discretion regarding the release of certain investigative records, even after a case is closed, if disclosure would jeopardize future investigations or reveal confidential sources or techniques.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Fairfax County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in Fairfax County may utilize several established methods to access this information. The county maintains multiple access points for criminal record retrieval, each serving specific purposes and containing different record types.

For in-person requests at the courthouse:

Visit the Fairfax County Circuit Court Clerk's Office during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM).
Complete a records request form, providing the subject's full name and, if possible, date of birth or case number.
Present valid government-issued photo identification.
Pay applicable search and copy fees ($5.00 for record search, $0.50 per page for copies).
Allow staff to conduct the search and provide available records.

Fairfax County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
4110 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 318
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-691-7320
Fairfax County Circuit Court

For mail requests:

Download and complete the Criminal Records Request Form from the county website.
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Enclose a check or money order for applicable fees.
Mail the request to the Circuit Court Clerk's Office.

For police records:

Visit the Fairfax County Police Department Central Records Section.
Complete a Police Report Request Form.
Provide case number or incident information.
Present identification and pay applicable fees.

Fairfax County Police Department Central Records
12099 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035
703-246-2272
Fairfax County Police Central Records

For comprehensive criminal history information:

Submit fingerprints at an authorized fingerprinting location.
Complete the Criminal History Record Request form SP-167.
Include the required fee ($15 for employment purposes, $20 for personal review).
Submit to the Virginia State Police Criminal Records Division.

Pursuant to § 19.2-389 of the Virginia Code, certain entities may have enhanced access to criminal history information, including government agencies, employers for specific positions, and individuals requesting their own records.

How To Find Criminal Records in Fairfax County Online?

Fairfax County provides several online portals that allow public access to various criminal records. These digital resources offer convenient alternatives to in-person requests, though the scope of information available online may be more limited than records accessible at physical locations.

The primary online resources for criminal records in Fairfax County include:

Virginia Judiciary Case Information System
The Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System provides searchable access to court cases from Circuit, General District, and Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Courts. Users may search by:
- Name (last name, first name)
- Case number
- Hearing date
This system displays case information including charges, hearing dates, and case status. However, it does not provide access to complete case files or documents.
Fairfax County Sheriff's Office Inmate Lookup
The Inmate Lookup tool allows users to search for current inmates in the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center. Information includes:
- Inmate name and booking photo
- Charges
- Bond information
- Scheduled release date (when applicable)
This database only includes current inmates and does not maintain historical incarceration records.
Virginia Sex Offender Registry
The Virginia Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry maintained by the Virginia State Police allows searches for registered sex offenders by:
- Name
- Zip code/geographic area
- Email/electronic identifier
This registry includes offender photos, addresses, conviction information, and registration status.
Virginia Court Case Information
The Virginia Courts Case Information portal provides links to various court record systems, including the Circuit Court Case Management System and the General District Court Online Case Information System.

When using these online systems, users should note several important limitations:

Registration may be required for certain systems
Not all case types are available online
Document images are generally not accessible
Historical records may be limited
Information accuracy should be verified with official court documents
Some sensitive case types (juvenile, sealed cases) are excluded

For comprehensive criminal background checks, the Virginia State Police Criminal History Record Request system allows authorized users to request official criminal history information, though this requires fingerprint submission and applicable fees.

Can You Search Fairfax County Criminal Records for Free?

Fairfax County residents and other interested parties have several options for accessing criminal records without payment, though certain limitations apply to free record searches. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act, codified in § 2.2-3704, establishes that "all public records shall be open to inspection and copying" but permits agencies to charge "reasonable fees" for record retrieval and duplication.

Free in-person inspection options include:

Fairfax County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
4110 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 318
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-691-7320
Fairfax County Circuit Court

Members of the public may inspect court records on public terminals during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM) without charge. However, printing or obtaining certified copies incurs fees ($0.50 per page for copies, $2.00 per page for certified copies).
Fairfax County General District Court
4110 Chain Bridge Road
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-691-7320
Fairfax County General District Court

Public terminals are available for searching misdemeanor cases and traffic violations. No fee is charged for viewing records, though printing fees apply.

Free online resources include:

Virginia Judiciary Case Information System
The Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System provides free access to basic case information for Circuit, General District, and Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Courts. No registration or payment is required for basic searches.
Fairfax County Sheriff's Office Inmate Lookup
The Inmate Lookup tool offers free access to current inmate information at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.
Virginia Sex Offender Registry
The Virginia Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry provides free public access to information about registered sex offenders.
Virginia Court Case Information
The Virginia Courts Case Information portal offers free access to various court record systems.

While these free options provide valuable access to criminal records, users should be aware of certain limitations:

Free searches typically provide basic information only
Document images and complete case files generally require payment
Comprehensive criminal history checks through the Virginia State Police require fees
Records requiring extensive staff time for retrieval may incur charges
Certified copies always require payment of statutory fees

The Virginia FOIA allows agencies to waive fees when doing so serves the public interest, but such waivers are discretionary and uncommon for routine criminal record requests.

What's Included in a Fairfax County Criminal Record?

Criminal records maintained by Fairfax County agencies contain standardized categories of information that document an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The specific content varies based on the case progression and the maintaining agency, but typically includes the following elements:

Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth and age
Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
Mugshot/booking photograph
Last known address
State Identification Number (SID)
FBI number (if applicable)
Fingerprint classification

Arrest Information:

Date and time of arrest
Arresting agency and officer
Booking number and facility
Charges filed at arrest (may differ from formal charges)
Bail or bond information
Detention facility and status
Arresting agency case number

Court Case Information:

Court case number and jurisdiction
Court of record (Circuit Court, General District Court)
Filing date and arraignment information
Formal charges filed by prosecutor
Virginia Code statutes cited and offense classification (felony class 1-6 or misdemeanor class 1-4)
Defense attorney information
Plea entered
Trial information (date, type, proceedings)
Witness and evidence information

Disposition Information:

Verdict or case outcome
Conviction date (if applicable)
Sentencing details:
- Incarceration length and facility
- Probation terms and conditions
- Fines, court costs, and restitution
- Community service requirements
- Treatment program mandates
Appeal information (if applicable)
Probation/parole status and violations
Completion of sentence information

Additional Information:

Active warrants or protective orders
Sex offender registration requirements
Habitual offender status
DUI/DWI information and restrictions
Related traffic violations
Pending charges in other jurisdictions
Prior criminal history references

Pursuant to § 19.2-389.1 of the Virginia Code, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly accessible criminal records, including:

Social Security numbers
Financial account numbers
Victim contact information
Medical and mental health information
Information about confidential informants
Juvenile co-defendant information

The comprehensiveness of criminal records depends on the requesting party's authorization level. Law enforcement agencies, courts, and certain government entities have access to complete criminal history information, while public access may be more limited in accordance with privacy protections established by Virginia law.

How Long Does Fairfax County Keep Criminal Records?

Fairfax County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Library of Virginia pursuant to the Virginia Public Records Act, § 42.1-76 et seq. These schedules vary by record type and maintaining agency, with certain records preserved permanently while others are retained for prescribed periods before destruction or archiving.

The primary retention periods for criminal records in Fairfax County include:

Circuit Court Records:

Felony case files: Permanently maintained
Capital murder cases: Permanently maintained
Other criminal case files: 20 years after final disposition
Grand jury records: 10 years
Criminal trial exhibits: Until all appeals are exhausted plus 1 year

General District Court Records:

Misdemeanor and traffic case records: 10 years after final disposition
Preliminary felony hearing records: 10 years
Arrest warrants: 10 years after execution or recall

Fairfax County Police Department:

Homicide investigation files: Permanently maintained
Felony investigation files: 30 years after case closure
Misdemeanor investigation files: 5 years after case closure
Incident reports: 3 years
Arrest records: 75 years from date of arrest

Fairfax County Sheriff's Office:

Inmate records: 3 years after release
Booking records: 75 years
Jail visitor logs: 3 years

Commonwealth's Attorney's Office:

Felony prosecution files: 20 years after case closure
Misdemeanor prosecution files: 5 years after case closure
Death penalty case files: Permanently maintained

The Fairfax County General District Court maintains criminal records according to the following schedule:

Class 1 misdemeanors: 10 years
Class 2-4 misdemeanors: 10 years
Traffic infractions: 10 years
Parking violations: 3 years

Certain events may alter these standard retention periods:

Expungement orders pursuant to § 19.2-392.2 require the removal and destruction of records
Court sealing orders may restrict access while maintaining the records
Records related to ongoing investigations may be retained longer than standard periods
Records with historical significance may be transferred to archives rather than destroyed

Digital records are subject to the same retention requirements as physical records, though the format of preservation may differ. The Library of Virginia provides comprehensive guidance on electronic records management for county agencies.

It is important to note that while records may be destroyed after their retention period expires, many criminal records—particularly those related to serious offenses—are maintained for extended periods or permanently, ensuring long-term availability for legitimate public safety, research, and historical purposes.

Lookup Criminal Records in Fairfax County

Fairfax County Sheriff's Office

Fairfax County Circuit Court

Criminal Records Retention

Fairfax County Police Central Records