Alleghany County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Alleghany County are held by the Circuit Court Clerk, the General District Court, and the Sheriff's Office, all located in and around Covington, Virginia. Whether you need to look up a felony case, find misdemeanor records, or get arrest information, each agency handles a different part of the criminal records system. This page explains what each office keeps and how to get the records you need.

Circuit Court Criminal Records in Alleghany County

The Alleghany County Circuit Court Clerk is the official keeper of all felony criminal records in the county. The office is in the Alleghany County Courthouse in Covington, Virginia. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, not including state holidays. All felony indictments, motions, orders, judgments, and sentencing records are kept here. These are public records unless a judge has issued a sealing order.

The circuit court page at co.alleghany.va.us/circuit-court-clerk.aspx provides office contact information and general guidance on how the clerk handles records requests. Copy fees are charged per page under Virginia Code section 17.1-275. Certified copies cost more than uncertified ones. The Clerk's Office maintains current files as well as archived records. Older files may be stored off-site and could take additional time to pull.

The image below links to the Alleghany County Circuit Court Clerk page, which is the primary source for felony criminal records in the county.

The Circuit Court Clerk office in Covington handles all official felony case records for Alleghany County and is your first stop when looking for Circuit Court criminal case documents.

The Alleghany County Circuit Court is part of the Twenty-fifth Judicial Circuit. It hears felony criminal cases, civil matters over $25,000, and appeals from lower courts. The Clerk is an elected constitutional officer serving an eight-year term. The same office also handles land records, marriage licenses, and probate matters.

General District Court Records

The Alleghany County General District Court handles misdemeanor cases, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings for felony charges. It is part of Virginia's Twenty-fifth Judicial District. All cases are heard by a judge without a jury. Records kept by this court include warrants, summonses, case continuances, judgments, and sentencing orders for misdemeanor offenses. These records are public information.

The Twenty-fifth Judicial District General District Court page has contact information and court hours. The Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System may provide electronic access to case records. Not every court in the district is fully connected to the online system, so you may need to call ahead to confirm what is available online for Alleghany County specifically. Court hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

For certified copies or a full file review, contact the General District Court Clerk directly. Copy fees apply for all document reproduction. If you only need case status or hearing dates, the online portal is often the fastest option.

Alleghany County Sheriff's Office Records

The Alleghany County Sheriff's Office provides primary law enforcement for the county. The Sheriff's Office keeps arrest records, incident reports, and operates the Alleghany County Jail for pretrial detainees and those serving short sentences. Their records are a key source for arrest information in the county.

The Records Division at the Alleghany County Sheriff's Office processes requests for incident reports, accident reports, and related law enforcement records. Requests should be made in writing. Include the date, time, and location of the incident along with the names of people involved. Response times vary depending on how many requests are pending. Under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, basic arrest information is public. Records tied to active investigations, juvenile matters, or confidential sources may be withheld.

The image below links to the Alleghany County Sheriff's Office page, which is the primary source for arrest records and law enforcement reports in Alleghany County.

The Sheriff's Office in Covington handles records requests for arrest information and incident reports for crimes that occurred within Alleghany County's jurisdiction.

The Sheriff's Office reports all arrests to the Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange as required by Virginia Code section 19.2-390. This ensures Alleghany County arrest records are part of the statewide criminal history database. The jail also maintains inmate records. Some inmate information is available to the public under FOIA.

Requesting Criminal Records in Alleghany County

Alleghany County gives the public several ways to get criminal records. Court records come from the Circuit Court Clerk or the General District Court Clerk. Law enforcement records come from the Sheriff's Office. For a full statewide criminal history, you go through the Virginia State Police.

The county government website at co.alleghany.va.us has department contact information, office hours, and directions to county buildings. This is the best starting point if you are not sure which office to contact. The image below shows the county government portal, which links to all major county departments including the clerk and sheriff.

The Alleghany County government portal is your central resource for finding contact information, hours, and record request procedures for every county department that handles criminal records.

When requesting court records, give the case name, case number, and list the specific documents you need. Pay by cash, check, or money order. For large copy requests, ask for a fee estimate first. The county participates in regional information sharing with the Virginia State Police and Department of Corrections, so state agencies can cross-reference Alleghany County records as well.

Virginia Criminal History Records

The Virginia State Police maintain the Central Criminal Records Exchange for the whole state. Alleghany County arrests and dispositions are included in this database. The Virginia State Police Criminal History Records page explains how to request a statewide criminal history check. A state-level check covers all Virginia jurisdictions, not just Alleghany County.

Individuals can request their own criminal history record through the State Police. Authorized agencies can request records for others under specific legal conditions. The state record is the most complete Virginia criminal history available because it draws from every reporting jurisdiction in the commonwealth. This includes all arrests and dispositions reported by Alleghany County agencies.

Virginia's criminal history statutes are found in Virginia Code Title 19.2, Chapter 23. These rules cover how records are collected, stored, and shared across the state. Alleghany County agencies must follow these rules when reporting and sharing criminal records data.

Public Access and Expungement

Under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, most criminal records held by Alleghany County agencies are open to the public. You can request records without giving a reason. The county must respond within five working days of getting your request. Fees may apply for searching, reviewing, and copying records.

Some criminal records are exempt from FOIA disclosure. Active investigation files are typically withheld. Records about juveniles are generally sealed. Informant identities are protected. When you submit a request, county staff review it and tell you what can be released and what cannot. Alleghany County participates in regional information sharing with other criminal justice agencies, which means some records may be held at the state level rather than the county level.

Expungement in Virginia is available for people who meet specific criteria. The rules are in Virginia Code Title 19.2, Chapter 23.1. If your charge was dismissed, you were found not guilty, or you received an absolute pardon, you may be able to petition for expungement. You file in the Circuit Court where the original case was handled. In Alleghany County, that is the Alleghany County Circuit Court in Covington.

An expungement removes your record from public access databases. It will not appear in most criminal record searches after it is granted. Law enforcement agencies may still retain access in limited circumstances. Virginia expanded who qualifies for expungement in recent years, so it is worth checking the current statute or talking with a lawyer if you were not sure you qualified before.

Note: Legal aid organizations in Virginia can help people with limited income understand whether they qualify for expungement and how to file the petition.

Cities Near Alleghany County

Alleghany County is closely tied to the City of Covington, which operates as an independent city under Virginia law. Covington has its own separate court system for crimes committed within city limits. The City of Buena Vista is also nearby. Criminal cases from within unincorporated Alleghany County are filed through the county court system.

Nearby Counties

Alleghany County borders several other counties in western Virginia. Check which county a crime occurred in before searching for records, since Virginia files cases in the jurisdiction where the offense took place.