Spotsylvania County Criminal Records
What Is Spotsylvania County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Spotsylvania County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Virginia Code § 17.1-208, which establishes the legal framework for court record maintenance and accessibility.
Criminal records encompass several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of apprehensions by law enforcement, which may not necessarily result in charges or convictions
- Conviction Records: Official documentation of guilty verdicts or pleas in criminal cases
- Felony Records: Documentation of serious crimes punishable by imprisonment of more than one year
- Misdemeanor Records: Documentation of less serious offenses typically punishable by fines or imprisonment of less than one year
- Adult Records: Criminal proceedings involving individuals 18 years or older
- Juvenile Records: Records pertaining to offenders under 18, which are generally sealed under Virginia Code § 16.1-301
- Active Warrants: Current orders for arrest issued by judicial authorities
- Historical Records: Documentation of past criminal proceedings and outcomes
Multiple agencies within Spotsylvania County maintain different components of criminal records:
Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office
9119 Dean Ridings Lane
Spotsylvania, VA 22553
(540) 582-7115
Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail records for the county.
Spotsylvania Circuit Court
9107 Judicial Center Lane
Spotsylvania, VA 22553
(540) 507-7600
Spotsylvania Circuit Court
The Circuit Court maintains felony case records, trial proceedings, sentencing information, and final dispositions.
Spotsylvania General District Court
9111 Courthouse Road
Spotsylvania, VA 22553
(540) 507-7680
Spotsylvania General District Court
The General District Court maintains records for misdemeanors, preliminary hearings, and certain civil matters.
Comprehensive criminal records typically include documentation of charges, arraignments, pleas, trial proceedings, verdicts, sentencing, and probation or parole information. These records form an essential component of the county's public safety infrastructure.
Are Criminal Records Public In Spotsylvania County
Criminal records in Spotsylvania County are generally accessible to the public under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Virginia Code § 2.2-3700). This statute establishes that "all public records shall be open to citizens of the Commonwealth, representatives of newspapers and magazines with circulation in the Commonwealth, and representatives of radio and television stations broadcasting in or into the Commonwealth."
The Virginia FOIA specifically 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."
In accordance with this principle, most adult criminal records in Spotsylvania County are available for public inspection. However, certain categories of records remain restricted:
- Ongoing Investigations: Records pertaining to active law enforcement investigations are exempt from disclosure under Virginia Code § 2.2-3706
- Sealed Records: Cases that have been expunged or sealed by court order are not accessible to the public
- Juvenile Records: Records involving minors are generally confidential under Virginia Code § 16.1-301, with limited exceptions for certain violent offenses
- Certain Personal Information: Social security numbers, medical information, and other sensitive personal data may be redacted from public records
- Victim Information: Details that could identify victims of certain crimes may be withheld
The Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office and court system maintain these records and process FOIA records requests in accordance with state law. While the presumption favors disclosure, the county must balance transparency with privacy concerns and investigative integrity.
Members of the public seeking criminal records should be aware that while conviction records are generally public, arrest records that did not result in conviction may have different accessibility standards under Virginia law. Additionally, certain records may be subject to expungement under Virginia Code § 19.2-392.2, removing them from public access.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Spotsylvania County in 2026
Residents and interested parties may access criminal records in Spotsylvania County through several established channels. The county maintains multiple access points for criminal record retrieval, each serving different informational needs.
For in-person requests at the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office:
- Visit the Records Division during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM)
- Complete the standard records request form, available at the counter
- Provide specific information about the record sought (name, date of birth, case number if available)
- Present valid government-issued photo identification
- Pay applicable fees (currently $5-25 depending on record type)
- Allow 5-7 business days for processing
Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office Records Division
9119 Dean Ridings Lane
Spotsylvania, VA 22553
(540) 507-7200
Sheriff's Office
For court records, the process involves:
- Contact the appropriate court (Circuit Court for felonies, General District Court for misdemeanors)
- Submit a records request form specifying the case information
- Pay applicable fees (currently $5 per record)
- Records may be available immediately for simple requests or within 3-5 business days for complex searches
Spotsylvania Circuit Court Clerk's Office
9107 Judicial Center Lane
Spotsylvania, VA 22553
(540) 507-7600
Circuit Court
For electronic FOIA requests:
- Visit the county's FOIA Records Request portal
- Complete the online form with detailed information about the requested records
- Include contact information for response
- Submit payment if applicable (fees may be waived for small requests)
- Receive acknowledgment within 5 working days as required by Virginia FOIA law
For background check requests:
- Submit fingerprints at the Sheriff's Office (Tuesday and Thursday, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM)
- Complete the background check request form
- Pay the required fee ($25 for county residents, $35 for non-residents)
- Allow 10-15 business days for processing
Pursuant to Virginia Code § 19.2-389, certain criminal history information may only be released to authorized agencies and individuals. Members of the public may access court records but comprehensive criminal history reports have restricted access.
How To Find Criminal Records in Spotsylvania County Online?
Spotsylvania County offers several digital platforms for accessing criminal records information. These online resources provide convenient alternatives to in-person requests, though the scope of available information varies by system.
The Virginia Judiciary Case Information System serves as the primary online portal for court records:
- Visit the Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System
- Select "Spotsylvania County" from the jurisdiction dropdown
- Choose either Circuit Court or General District Court
- Search by name, case number, or hearing date
- Review case summaries including charges, hearing dates, and disposition information
- Note that complete case files are not available online; documents must be requested in person
The Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate search function:
- Access the Rappahannock Regional Jail Inmate Search
- Enter the individual's name or booking number
- View current custody status, charges, and bond information
- Note that historical jail records are not accessible through this portal
For sex offender registration information:
- Visit the Virginia Sex Offender Registry
- Search by name, zip code, or address
- View registration information for offenders residing in Spotsylvania County
Online users should be aware of several limitations:
- Case information older than 10 years may not appear in online systems
- Document images are generally not available online
- Juvenile records are not accessible through public portals
- Expunged or sealed cases will not appear in search results
- Detailed arrest information requires direct contact with the Sheriff's Office
For comprehensive criminal history information, authorized users may access the Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN) or the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC), though these systems require special credentials and are not available to the general public.
While online access provides convenience, complex searches or requests for certified documents still require direct contact with the Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office or court clerk.
Can You Search Spotsylvania County Criminal Records for Free?
Spotsylvania County provides several no-cost options for accessing criminal records information, in accordance with Virginia's public records laws. Virginia Code § 2.2-3704 establishes that "all public records shall be open to inspection and copying" though reasonable charges for copying, search time, and computer time may apply.
Free in-person inspection options include:
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Court Records: Members of the public may visit the Spotsylvania Circuit Court or General District Court during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM) to review non-confidential case files at public access terminals. While viewing is free, printing or copying documents incurs standard fees ($0.50 per page).
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Sheriff's Office Records: Limited public information may be reviewed at the Sheriff's Office without charge, though comprehensive reports typically require payment of established fees.
Free online resources include:
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Virginia Judiciary Case Information System: This state-maintained database provides free access to basic case information for Spotsylvania County courts, including defendant names, charges, hearing dates, and case status. No registration or payment is required.
-
Rappahannock Regional Jail Inmate Search: Current inmate information is freely accessible through the regional jail's online portal.
-
Virginia Sex Offender Registry: Information about registered sex offenders residing in Spotsylvania County is available at no cost through the Virginia State Police registry.
While basic information is available without charge, fees apply for:
- Certified copies of court documents ($5 per document)
- Complete case files ($25-50 depending on complexity)
- Background checks ($25 for county residents, $35 for non-residents)
- Specialized searches requiring staff research time ($25 per hour after first 30 minutes)
The Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office processes FOIA requests in accordance with state law, which permits charging "actual costs" for record retrieval. However, the Sheriff's Office typically waives fees for simple requests requiring minimal staff time.
What's Included in a Spotsylvania County Criminal Record?
Criminal records maintained by Spotsylvania County contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interactions with the local criminal justice system. These records typically include several categories of information:
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color, distinguishing marks)
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
Arrest Information:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer
- Booking number and facility
- Charges filed at arrest (may differ from formal charges)
- Bail or bond amount and status
- Detention facility information
Court Case Information:
- Case number and court of jurisdiction
- Filing date and prosecutor information
- Formal charges filed and applicable Virginia statutes
- Classification of charges (felony class 1-6 or misdemeanor class 1-4)
- Plea information
- Defense attorney information
- Hearing dates and continuances
- Pre-trial motions and rulings
Disposition Information:
- Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, nolle prosequi)
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration length and facility
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution requirements
- Probation terms and conditions
- Community service obligations
- Appeal information (if applicable)
- Probation/parole status and violations
Additional Information:
- Active warrants or protective orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI history and restrictions
- Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
- Prior criminal history in Spotsylvania County
The Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and investigative reports, while the Circuit and General District Courts maintain case proceedings and dispositions. Certain specialized records, such as massage permit background checks, may contain additional information relevant to specific regulatory requirements.
It should be noted that juvenile records (under age 18) contain similar information but are subject to stricter confidentiality protections under Virginia law, with limited exceptions for violent offenses.
How Long Does Spotsylvania County Keep Criminal Records?
Spotsylvania County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Library of Virginia under the authority of Virginia Code § 42.1-76. These schedules mandate specific timeframes for preserving various categories of criminal justice documents.
Court records retention periods include:
- Felony Case Files: Permanently maintained for Class 1-4 felonies; 20 years after case conclusion for Class 5-6 felonies
- Misdemeanor Case Files: 10 years after case conclusion
- Traffic Case Files: 3 years after case conclusion for standard violations; 10 years for DUI/DWI cases
- Court Orders and Judgments: Permanently maintained
- Grand Jury Records: 10 years after conclusion of proceedings
- Court Dockets: Permanently maintained as historical records
Sheriff's Office records retention periods include:
- Arrest Reports: 75 years from date of creation
- Investigation Reports: 30 years for solved cases; 75 years for unsolved felonies
- Incident Reports: 10 years from date of creation
- Booking Records: 75 years from date of creation
- Fingerprint Cards: 75 years from date of creation
- Photographs/Mugshots: 75 years from date of creation
- Sex Offender Registration: Lifetime of the offender plus 15 years
- Warrants: 3 years after execution or recall
The Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office adheres to the General Schedule No. 17 for law enforcement records and General Schedule No. 19 for court records, as mandated by the Library of Virginia.
Electronic records are subject to the same retention requirements as paper records. The county's records management system maintains digital archives according to these schedules, with appropriate security measures to prevent unauthorized access or alteration.
Records scheduled for destruction are disposed of in accordance with secure destruction protocols established by the Library of Virginia. However, records of historical significance may be transferred to the Library of Virginia's archives for permanent preservation rather than destruction.