Warrant records are public documents in Manassas, Virginia, pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Code of Virginia § 2.2-3700 et seq. This legislation establishes the presumption that all government records shall be open to inspection by Virginia residents and representatives of media outlets, unless specifically exempted by law or withheld in accordance with the Act.
The Virginia FOIA provides that certain law enforcement records may be exempt from disclosure under § 2.2-3706, particularly if release would jeopardize ongoing investigations or compromise public safety. However, executed warrants generally become public record once they have been served and returned to the court.
In Manassas, warrant records are maintained by multiple agencies including the Manassas City Police Department and the Prince William County Circuit Court. These records typically contain information about arrest warrants, bench warrants, search warrants, and other court-ordered directives. Members of the public seeking warrant information must follow established procedures for records requests as outlined by the custodial agency.
The Commonwealth of Virginia provides several official channels through which members of the public may access warrant information electronically:
Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System: The public may search for case information, including associated warrants, through the Virginia Judicial System's online portal. This resource provides access to General District Court and Circuit Court records.
Prince William County General District Court: The Prince William General District Court maintains records for Manassas cases. The court is located at 9311 Lee Avenue, Manassas, VA 20110 and can be contacted during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM) at (703) 792-6141.
Manassas Police Department Records Division: The Records Division processes requests for warrant information that is not exempt from disclosure. The department is located at 9518 Fairview Avenue, Manassas, VA 20110 and can be reached at (703) 257-8000.
Prince William County Sheriff's Office: The Sheriff's Office maintains a database of active warrants. Their office is located at 9311 Lee Avenue, Manassas, VA 20110 and can be contacted at (703) 792-6070.
Pursuant to Virginia Code § 17.1-293, certain identifying information may be redacted from online court records to protect privacy interests while still maintaining public access to judicial proceedings.
Individuals seeking to determine if they are subject to an active warrant in Manassas may utilize several official channels:
Direct Court Inquiry: Contact the Prince William County General District Court Clerk's Office at 9311 Lee Avenue, Manassas, VA 20110, (703) 792-6141. Court personnel can verify warrant status during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM).
Law Enforcement Verification: The Manassas City Police Department Records Division can provide warrant information to the subject of the warrant upon proper identification. The department is located at 9518 Fairview Avenue, Manassas, VA 20110 and can be reached at (703) 257-8000.
Online Case Information System: The Virginia Judiciary maintains an online case information system that may reflect warrant status for cases that have been filed with the court.
Legal Representation: Licensed attorneys may conduct warrant searches on behalf of clients through specialized access to court information systems.
Individuals should be aware that pursuant to Virginia Code § 19.2-390, law enforcement agencies are required to maintain accurate records of all warrants issued within their jurisdiction. When contacting official agencies, proper identification will be required to verify identity before warrant information is released to the subject of the warrant.
The verification of outstanding warrants in Manassas requires interaction with authorized government entities. The following procedures are established for this purpose:
In-Person Court Records Search: Visit the Prince William County General District Court Clerk's Office at 9311 Lee Avenue, Manassas, VA 20110. Public terminals are available for searching court records during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM).
Sheriff's Office Warrant Division: The Prince William County Sheriff's Office maintains a Warrant Division that can verify active warrants. Their office is located at 9311 Lee Avenue, Manassas, VA 20110 and can be contacted at (703) 792-6070.
FOIA Request: Submit a formal Freedom of Information Act request to the Manassas City Police Department at 9518 Fairview Avenue, Manassas, VA 20110. Requests must comply with Virginia Code § 2.2-3704 regarding format and specificity.
Attorney Services: Legal counsel may conduct warrant searches through professional channels. The Prince William County Bar Association can provide referrals to local attorneys.
Pursuant to Virginia Code § 19.2-76, all warrants must be executed by authorized law enforcement officers. Individuals with knowledge of an outstanding warrant against them are encouraged to address the matter through proper legal channels to avoid potential arrest.
Warrant records maintained by Manassas authorities typically contain the following information as prescribed by Virginia Code § 19.2-72:
Subject Identification: Full legal name of the individual, date of birth, physical description, last known address, and when available, social security number or driver's license number.
Warrant Classification: Designation of warrant type (arrest warrant, bench warrant, capias, search warrant) and the level of offense (felony or misdemeanor).
Case Information: Court case number, issuing court, date of issuance, and name of the issuing judicial officer.
Alleged Offense: Description of the criminal violation, including the Virginia Code section allegedly violated and the date of the offense.
Bond Information: Specification of whether the warrant is bondable and, if so, the amount of bond required for release.
Service Status: Documentation of whether the warrant has been served, the date of service, and the executing officer's information.
Return Information: For search warrants, an inventory of items seized and the date the warrant was returned to the court.
In accordance with Virginia Code § 19.2-54, all search warrants and accompanying affidavits must be filed with the circuit court clerk within seven days after execution. These documents become public record unless sealed by court order for specific statutory reasons.
Individuals seeking warrant information in Manassas may utilize the following official resources:
Manassas City Police Department
9518 Fairview Avenue
Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 257-8000
Manassas Police Department website
Prince William County General District Court
9311 Lee Avenue
Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 792-6141
Prince William General District Court website
Prince William County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
9311 Lee Avenue, Suite 300
Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 792-6015
Circuit Court Clerk's Office website
Prince William County Sheriff's Office
9311 Lee Avenue
Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 792-6070
Pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.2-3704, agencies must respond to records requests within five working days. Requestors may be required to pay reasonable charges for the actual cost of accessing, duplicating, supplying, or searching for requested records. Some records may be exempt from disclosure under Virginia Code § 2.2-3706 if they relate to ongoing investigations or contain sensitive information.