Is There a Public Record of a Police Encounter With No Arrests or Charges
My question involves criminal law for the state of: VA
Hello,
This may be a bit lengthy but I am in panic mode (friends say I shouldnt).
Here is what happened
My gf and I are above age, we were in a public parking garage in my black on black tinted window car. We had not seen eachother in about a month and naturally we got very physical. We did not have intercourse, nor were my clothes off at any time, only her shirt was off and we were merely kissing aggressively. In any case, after a few moments a City Police cruiser shot his lights on our car and came to my window.
He said they received a call and asked my gf if "she was decent". My gf did put her shirt on and he asked for ID's and asked us to come out. We complied respectfully. I began to explain I am very nervous and I dont want to get arressted, he said relax, dont worry your not going to be arressted we just need to scan your IDs and we'll get this taken care of. I was a bit paniced as Ive never been in trouble with the law and the officer got a little impatient with me and said, just sit your butt on the car, and we'll get you out of here in 2 minutes. My gf sort of yelled and said just relax, let them do their job, and rightly so I kept quiet.
In all of this, the other cop interviewed my gf, asking her if she felt safe, etc, and she was consenting to all this. She said yes, and said we were about to go have food. The cops were very nice in fact, he asked my gf how we were related, my gf confused, said "related?, like cousin?", the cop joked and said "jesus I hope your not related". He came back and gave me back our IDs, and said just go somewhere else and try to stay out of view. I asked him, is there going to be a citation or any charge and apologized stating I hadnt seen my gf for weeks, he said "No", and the other cop joked and said, "Yeh man, Id try the 6th floor area next time man". And laughed it off. They left.
In essensce, I got no ticket, charge or anything. They just took my number down, ran plates, and checked IDs and explained we just wanted to make sure there was no sexual assault, etc.
At this point is this encounter done and dusted with? Meaning, this doesnt go on any public record right? Will I be charged later? Will I get any citation of any kind?
Please let me know
Re: Is There a Public Record of a Police Encounter With No Arrests or Charges
I think you are safe. While there will likely be no public record of anything (since you were not arrested or charged or convicted of anything), there will be a police report with your name on it. The police are required to document every call that they respond to, and since they were called to investigate you and your girlfriendf, your names are in the police report. And by police report I am simply referring to the paperwork the officers will complete as a result of their interactions during this particular shift. I would not be worried at all about this situation.
Re: Is There a Public Record of a Police Encounter With No Arrests or Charges
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PADriver13
I think you are safe. While there will likely be no public record of anything (since you were not arrested or charged or convicted of anything), there will be a police report with your name on it. The police are required to document every call that they respond to, and since they were called to investigate you and your girlfriendf, your names are in the police report. And by police report I am simply referring to the paperwork the officers will complete as a result of their interactions during this particular shift. I would not be worried at all about this situation.
Thanks for your reply. Now if only my gf calms down a bit, things can return back to some normalcy. Sorry not good with the law, as never been in trouble, and being in a professional school makes you more paranoid since that is a big no no in my field.
Re: Is There a Public Record of a Police Encounter With No Arrests or Charges
In circumstances like this where nothing really happened, most agencies simply complete what is called a Field Interview Card for each of you. It documents your identity along with the date, time, location and circumstances of the contact. As jondoe said, it's nothing to worry about.
Re: Is There a Public Record of a Police Encounter With No Arrests or Charges
As L-1 and jondoe stated, this should amount to nothing. A check of local agency records may come up with the FI or contact with you, but no allegations of any criminal activity - just that you were contacted.
Re: Is There a Public Record of a Police Encounter With No Arrests or Charges
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L-1
In circumstances like this where nothing really happened, most agencies simply complete what is called a Field Interview Card for each of you. It documents your identity along with the date, time, location and circumstances of the contact. As jondoe said, it's nothing to worry about.
Thanks for replying everyone. Is it suffice to say I got away with a warning? I shouldn't expect anything in the mail, not me, but the gf is worried about something coming in the mail?
Re: Is There a Public Record of a Police Encounter With No Arrests or Charges
Based on what you described, you didn't do anything wrong to "get away with."
You were simply contacted under what initially appeared to be suspicious circumstances. That contact determined nothing was amiss, and a record of the contact was made to protect both you and the officer.
Re: Is There a Public Record of a Police Encounter With No Arrests or Charges
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Quoting
L-1
Based on what you described, you didn't do anything wrong to "get away with."
You were simply contacted under what initially appeared to be suspicious circumstances. That contact determined nothing was amiss, and a record of the contact was made to protect both you and the officer.
Thanks again. Never ran into the law.
But thanks to all law enforcement for keeping us safe.
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Quoting
L-1
Based on what you described, you didn't do anything wrong to "get away with."
You were simply contacted under what initially appeared to be suspicious circumstances. That contact determined nothing was amiss, and a record of the contact was made to protect both you and the officer.
Also I should mention they did take our phone numbers? I guess that's SOP
Re: Is There a Public Record of a Police Encounter With No Arrests or Charges
Yes - phone number, name, address, birthdate, vehicle info, etc. is all SOP for an FI.
Re: Is There a Public Record of a Police Encounter With No Arrests or Charges
Quote:
Quoting
L-1
Based on what you described, you didn't do anything wrong to "get away with."
You were simply contacted under what initially appeared to be suspicious circumstances. That contact determined nothing was amiss, and a record of the contact was made to protect both you and the officer.
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cdwjava
Yes - phone number, name, address, birthdate, vehicle info, etc. is all SOP for an FI.
Thank you Sheriff. Makes sense.