The Department's Responsibilities in Responding to Your Request The Council may be contacted by e-mail at or by phone at (804) 698-1810 or 1-86. The Freedom of Information Advisory Council is available to answer any questions you may have about FOIA. Where to Send A FOIA Request or Questions Regarding FOIA:įOIA Officer: Lieutenant David L. Making a FOIA request is not an adversarial process, but the Department may need to discuss your request with you to ensure that it understands what records you are seeking.
FOIA does not require that your request be in writing, nor do you need to specifically state that you are requesting records under FOIA. Mail, fax, e-mail, in person, or over the phone. Making a Request for Records from the Department of State Police If you believe that your FOIA rights have been violated, you may file a petition in district or circuit court to compel compliance with FOIA.
You have the right to request that any charges for the requested records be estimated in advance.You have the right to request to inspect or receive copies of public records, or both.In furthering this policy, FOIA requires that the law be interpreted liberally, in favor of access, and that any exemption allowing public records to be withheld must be interpreted narrowly. The policy of FOIA states that the purpose of FOIA is to promote an increased awareness by all persons of governmental activities. All public records are presumed to be open, and may only be withheld if a specific, statutory exemption or other law applies to those records.
CODE OF VA 46.2 379 CODE
of the Code of Virginia, guarantees citizens of the Commonwealth and representatives of the media access to public records held by public bodies, public officials, and public employees.Ī public record is any writing or recording regardless of whether it is a paper record, an electronic file, an audio or video recording, or any other format that is prepared or owned by, or in the possession of a public body or its officers, employees or agents in the transaction of public business. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), located § 2.2-3700 ( ) et. Enter your account email address and tab to the next field (your account information will automatically populate).Upload any documents relating to the request by clicking CHOOSE FILES.Click the MAKE REQUEST button in the top left of the page.Click the SIGN IN link in the upper right of the page.