Charlottesville Criminal Records Search
Charlottesville criminal records are held by the Charlottesville Circuit Court Clerk, the Charlottesville General District Court, and the Charlottesville Police Department. Charlottesville is an independent city surrounded by Albemarle County, but its courts are separate from Albemarle County courts. Felony cases in Charlottesville are filed in the Charlottesville Circuit Court at 315 High Street. Misdemeanor and traffic matters are handled by the Charlottesville General District Court. This guide covers how to access, search, and request criminal records from each office that serves the city.
Charlottesville Overview
Charlottesville Circuit Court Criminal Records
The Charlottesville Circuit Court Clerk maintains all felony criminal records for the City of Charlottesville. The Clerk's Office is the official holder of indictments, motions, trial orders, judgments, and sentencing documents for every felony case tried in Charlottesville. These records are public and open to anyone who requests them during business hours.
The courthouse is at 315 High Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The Clerk processes in-person and mail requests for copies. Copy fees are set under Virginia Code section 17.1-275. Plain copies are less expensive; certified copies carry the court's official seal and are needed when documents must be submitted in other legal proceedings.
The Charlottesville Circuit Court also handles civil matters over $25,000, family law matters, and appeals from the General District Court. The Clerk maintains land records and marriage licenses as well. When requesting criminal records specifically, ask for the criminal case file or the criminal docket. The Clerk can search by name or case number.
Case information is also available online through Virginia's judiciary case information system. Online searches show party names, case status, and court dates. Full document copies require an in-person visit or a mailed request to the Clerk's Office.
Charlottesville Police Department and Arrest Records
The Charlottesville Police Department provides law enforcement for the city. The Department maintains arrest records, incident reports, and investigative files. Records requests go through the Department's Records Section. You can submit a request in person, by mail, or online through the city's FOIA portal at charlottesville.gov.
Arrest records from the Charlottesville Police Department are public under Virginia's Freedom of Information Act, subject to exemptions for active investigations and sensitive victim information. Standard records requests receive a response within five business days. The Department charges for staff time on complex research requests and for actual copying costs.
Charlottesville Police reports all arrests to the Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange. The CCRE is the statewide database of criminal history. Police records and court records both feed into this system. If you need a complete Virginia criminal history check for someone who has had contacts with Charlottesville law enforcement, the CCRE at vsp.virginia.gov is your most complete source.
The Virginia State Police CCRE portal shown above at vsp.virginia.gov compiles all Charlottesville arrests and convictions into a single statewide criminal history database.
General District Court Records in Charlottesville
The Charlottesville General District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases and traffic violations for the city. The court is part of the Sixteenth Judicial District. Records here cover all misdemeanor charges, including warrants, summonses, pleas, and final dispositions.
Misdemeanor records in Charlottesville are public. You can search them online through the Virginia Judiciary's case information portal or visit the court in person. Online searches show basic case information. Copies of actual court filings require an in-person visit or a mailed request to the court's Clerk.
The General District Court handles initial appearances and preliminary hearings for felony charges before they move to Circuit Court. Records of those hearings are in the General District Court file. If a person was charged in Charlottesville and the case went to Circuit Court, there will be records in both courts. The Circuit Court holds the final felony record.
Note: Traffic convictions entered in Charlottesville General District Court are also reported to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, which affects driving records separately from criminal records.Requesting Criminal Records in Charlottesville
Most criminal record requests in Charlottesville fall into one of three categories. Court records come from the Circuit Court or General District Court Clerk. Arrest records and incident reports come from the Police Department. Statewide history comes from the Virginia State Police CCRE. Each office has its own process.
To get court records, go to the courthouse at 315 High Street during business hours. Bring the full name of the person and any known case details. Or mail a written request with the same information and a check for the estimated copy fee. The Clerk will search the index, pull the file, and provide copies. Allow additional time for mailed requests.
For police records, submit a FOIA request to the Charlottesville Police Department. The city's website at charlottesville.gov has a FOIA submission form. Include the date of the incident, the names involved, and the type of record you want. Be specific. Vague requests take longer and may result in higher staff research fees.
Charlottesville's Circuit Court Clerk website has additional information about records access, hours, and contact details. Use it to confirm current procedures before submitting a request.
The Virginia Judiciary's online case system at vacourts.gov shown above lets you search Charlottesville criminal cases by name or case number before contacting the Clerk's Office for copies.
Virginia CCRE and Charlottesville Criminal History
The Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange is the statewide repository for all criminal history in Virginia. Charlottesville Police arrests and Charlottesville court convictions are both submitted to this database. The CCRE gives the most complete picture of a person's Virginia criminal history, covering activity in Charlottesville and every other Virginia jurisdiction.
Individuals can request their own CCRE record through the Virginia State Police. The process requires submitting a personal record review application with fingerprints and the required fee. The Virginia State Police processes the request and sends back a report showing all Virginia arrests and dispositions. This is a separate process from requesting court records directly from a court.
If you are reviewing someone else's Virginia criminal history, access through the CCRE requires proper authorization under Virginia law. Certain employer categories and licensing agencies can request third-party records through approved channels. The general public can search court records at the courthouse or through the Virginia Judiciary's online system.
Public Access and Expungement in Charlottesville
Charlottesville criminal records are public. Court files at both the Circuit Court and General District Court are open for inspection by anyone. The city's Police Department holds arrest records that are also public under FOIA, subject to standard exemptions. There is no general restriction on who can view criminal court records in Charlottesville.
Virginia's expungement statute at Virginia Code Title 19.2, Chapter 23.1 allows certain individuals to petition for sealing of criminal records. If you were found not guilty, had a charge dismissed, or had a conviction set aside under specific conditions, you may qualify. The petition is filed in the Circuit Court of the city where the original charge was brought. For Charlottesville cases, that is the Charlottesville Circuit Court at 315 High Street.
Virginia expanded expungement rights in recent years to include more categories of offenses. Some misdemeanor convictions that were previously ineligible may now qualify for sealing. The rules are nuanced. A Virginia attorney familiar with Charlottesville criminal law can review your specific situation and advise whether your record qualifies. Local legal aid offices can also help if you cannot afford private counsel.
Virginia's expungement law at law.lis.virginia.gov shown above outlines the full criteria for petitioning the Charlottesville Circuit Court to have a criminal record sealed.
Albemarle County Criminal Records
Charlottesville is an independent city surrounded by Albemarle County. Cases filed within Charlottesville city limits are in the city's own court system. Cases filed in the surrounding county are in Albemarle County courts. If you are not sure which jurisdiction handled a case, check both.
Nearby Cities
These independent Virginia cities near Charlottesville each maintain their own criminal records systems.