Chesterfield County Public Records /Chesterfield County Criminal Records

Chesterfield County Criminal Records

What Is Chesterfield County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Chesterfield 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 § 19.2-389, which establishes the framework for criminal history record information in the Commonwealth.

Criminal records encompass several distinct categories of documentation:

Arrest Records: Documents created when law enforcement takes a person into custody, including booking information, fingerprints, and photographs
Court Records: Official documentation of criminal proceedings, including charges, hearings, and case dispositions
Incarceration Records: Information regarding an individual's detention in county jail facilities
Probation/Parole Records: Documentation of supervision terms and compliance

The legal classification of offenses significantly impacts how records are maintained and accessed:

Felonies: Serious crimes punishable by imprisonment of more than one year
Misdemeanors: Lesser offenses typically punishable by up to twelve months in jail
Infractions: Minor violations usually resulting in fines rather than incarceration

Several agencies maintain criminal records in Chesterfield County:

Chesterfield County Police Department
10001 Iron Bridge Road
Chesterfield, VA 23832
804-748-1251
Chesterfield County Police Department

Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office
9500 Courthouse Road
Chesterfield, VA 23832
804-748-1261
Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office

Clerk of the Circuit Court
Chesterfield County Courthouse
9500 Courthouse Road
Chesterfield, VA 23832
804-748-1241
Clerk of the Circuit Court

It is important to note that juvenile records (individuals under 18) are generally sealed and subject to stricter confidentiality protections under Virginia Code § 16.1-301, with limited exceptions for certain serious offenses.

Are Criminal Records Public In Chesterfield County

Criminal records in Chesterfield County are generally considered public information in accordance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), specifically § 2.2-3706, which governs access to criminal records and law enforcement files. This statute establishes that adult criminal records are presumptively open to public inspection, with certain important exceptions.

The Virginia FOIA states: "All public records shall be open to inspection and copying by any citizens of the Commonwealth during the regular office hours of the custodian of such records." However, the law provides specific exemptions that restrict access to certain types of criminal records:

Active criminal investigations
Records that would jeopardize ongoing prosecutions
Information that would compromise witness safety
Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
Expunged or sealed records
Victim information in certain sensitive cases

Court records related to criminal proceedings in Chesterfield County are accessible through the county's Circuit Court and General District Court. These records include information about charges, hearings, trial proceedings, and case dispositions. The Virginia judiciary maintains these records in accordance with Virginia Code § 17.1-208, which states that court records shall be open to inspection by any person.

Law enforcement records, including arrest reports and incident documentation, are maintained by the Chesterfield County Police Department and Sheriff's Office. While these agencies must comply with FOIA requests, they may withhold certain information based on statutory exemptions or ongoing investigation status.

Members of the public seeking criminal records should be aware that while many records are publicly accessible, the process for obtaining them varies by record type and maintaining agency. Additionally, certain records may require formal requests and payment of associated fees.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Chesterfield County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in Chesterfield County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county maintains multiple systems for record retrieval, each with specific procedures and limitations.

For in-person requests at the Chesterfield County Police Department:

Visit the Records Unit during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Complete a records request form, providing specific information about the desired records
Present valid government-issued photo identification
Pay applicable fees (currently $10 for accident reports, $5 for incident reports)
Allow processing time as required by law (typically 5 business days)

Chesterfield County Police Department Records Unit
10001 Iron Bridge Road
Chesterfield, VA 23832
804-748-1776
Police Records

For court records, individuals may:

Access the Virginia Judiciary Case Information System online
Enter search criteria (name, case number, or hearing date)
Review basic case information available electronically
Visit the courthouse for complete file access if needed

Chesterfield County Circuit Court
9500 Courthouse Road
Chesterfield, VA 23832
804-748-1241
Circuit Court Criminal Division

For active warrant information:

Visit the Chesterfield County Police Department's active warrants database
Search by name to determine if active warrants exist
Contact the Police Department for verification or additional information

For comprehensive criminal history reports:

Submit a request to the Virginia State Police through their Criminal Records Exchange
Provide fingerprints and required identification
Pay the statutory fee (currently $15 for employment purposes, $8 for personal review)
Allow processing time as required (typically 15 business days)

Requestors should note that pursuant to Virginia Code § 9.1-132, criminal history information obtained through official channels may have restrictions on further dissemination and use.

How To Find Criminal Records in Chesterfield County Online?

Chesterfield County provides several digital platforms for accessing criminal records information online. These resources offer varying levels of detail and accessibility depending on the type of record sought.

The Virginia Judiciary's Case Information system serves as the primary online portal for court records:

Navigate to the Virginia Judiciary Case Information portal
Select "Chesterfield County" from the jurisdiction dropdown
Choose either Circuit Court or General District Court search
Enter search parameters (name, case number, or hearing date)
Review available case information including charges, hearing dates, and disposition

For information regarding current inmates in Chesterfield County detention facilities:

Access the Virginia Department of Corrections Inmate Locator
Enter the individual's name or identification number
Review custody status, facility location, and projected release date if applicable

The Chesterfield County Police Department maintains an online database of active warrants:

Visit the Active Warrants database
Search by name to identify individuals with outstanding warrants
Note that this system is updated regularly but may not reflect real-time information

For police incident reports and non-emergency reporting:

Access the Police Information Request portal
Select the appropriate form based on information needed
Complete required fields and submit request electronically
Pay applicable fees through the online payment system

Users should be aware that online systems have certain limitations:

Some detailed case information requires in-person courthouse access
Certain sensitive records may be excluded from online portals
Historical records may not be fully digitized
Registration may be required for certain database access

All online criminal record searches are subject to the same legal restrictions as in-person requests, with certain information protected from disclosure under Virginia law.

Can You Search Chesterfield County Criminal Records for Free?

Chesterfield County provides several no-cost options for accessing criminal records information, though certain limitations apply to free searches. Under Virginia law, specifically Code § 2.2-3704, public agencies may charge reasonable fees to cover actual costs associated with record production, but basic inspection of records is generally available without charge.

Free criminal record resources in Chesterfield County include:

In-person court record inspection: Members of the public may visit the Chesterfield County Courthouse during regular business hours to review non-sealed criminal case files at no cost. While copying fees apply, viewing records is free.

Chesterfield County Circuit Court
9500 Courthouse Road
Chesterfield, VA 23832
804-748-1241
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Circuit Court

Virginia Judiciary Case Information System: This online portal provides basic case information at no charge, including defendant name, charges, hearing dates, and case status.
Active Warrants Database: The Chesterfield County Police Department maintains a free searchable database of active warrants that can be accessed without registration or fees.
Jail Inmate Search: Basic custody information about current inmates is available through the Virginia Department of Corrections inmate locator at no cost.

While these resources provide free access to basic criminal record information, certain limitations apply:

Detailed reports, certified copies, and extensive searches typically require payment of statutory fees
Background checks for employment or licensing purposes generally incur charges
Requests requiring significant staff time for research or redaction may result in labor charges
Specialized searches or expedited processing typically involve fees

Individuals seeking comprehensive criminal history information may need to utilize fee-based services, particularly for official documentation purposes or when requesting records from multiple agencies.

What's Included in a Chesterfield County Criminal Record?

Criminal records maintained by Chesterfield County agencies typically contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The specific content varies based on the record type and maintaining agency, but generally includes several key categories of information.

Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth and age
Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color)
Fingerprints and, in some cases, photographs
Last known address
State Identification (SID) number
FBI number (if applicable)

Arrest Information:

Date, time, and location of arrest
Arresting agency and officer information
Booking number and processing details
Initial charges filed
Bail or bond information
Detention facility assignment

Court Case Information:

Court case number and jurisdiction
Filing date and court division
Formal charges and applicable statutes
Classification of offenses (felony/misdemeanor)
Attorney information (prosecution and defense)
Hearing dates and proceedings
Plea information

Disposition and Sentencing:

Case outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
Conviction date (if applicable)
Sentencing details:
- Incarceration terms
- Probation conditions
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution requirements
- Community service obligations
Post-conviction proceedings
Appeal information

Additional Elements:

Protective orders or restraining orders
Sex offender registration requirements
Specialized court program participation
Probation/parole status and violations
Warrant information

The Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office maintains custody records that include booking information, visitation logs, and release details for individuals processed through county detention facilities.

Court records maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court contain the official documentation of criminal proceedings, including charging documents, motions, orders, and final dispositions.

Law enforcement records from the Chesterfield County Police Department include incident reports, investigation documentation, and arrest information.

How Long Does Chesterfield County Keep Criminal Records?

Chesterfield County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Library of Virginia under the authority of Virginia Code § 42.1-76 through § 42.1-91. These schedules specify minimum retention periods for various types of criminal records, though many records are maintained permanently.

Court records retention periods include:

Felony Case Files: Permanently maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk
Misdemeanor Case Files: Maintained for 10 years after final disposition
Traffic Case Files: Retained for 3 years after final disposition
Court Orders and Judgments: Permanently maintained
Grand Jury Records: Permanently maintained

Law enforcement records retention includes:

Arrest Records: Maintained for 75 years from date of creation
Investigation Reports (Felonies): Retained for 30 years after case closure
Investigation Reports (Misdemeanors): Kept for 10 years after case closure
Incident Reports: Maintained for 3 years after creation
Sex Offender Registration Information: Maintained according to statutory requirements, often for the lifetime of the offender

Detention facility records retention includes:

Inmate Files: Maintained for 3 years after release
Booking Records: Retained for 75 years from creation
Jail Visitor Logs: Kept for 3 years after creation

It is important to note that while records may be maintained for these minimum periods, many criminal records in Chesterfield County are preserved for longer periods or permanently, particularly those related to serious offenses. Additionally, electronic records systems have expanded the county's capacity for long-term record retention.

Expungement of criminal records may occur under limited circumstances as provided by Virginia Code § 19.2-392.2, which allows for removal of records in cases of acquittal, nolle prosequi, or dismissal. When records are expunged, they are removed from public access but may be retained under seal for certain official purposes.