Augusta County Criminal Records

Augusta County criminal records are maintained by several local and state agencies depending on the type of case and record you need. The Circuit Court Clerk in Staunton handles felony case files. The General District Court keeps misdemeanor and traffic records. The Augusta County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and incident reports. At the state level, the Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE) serves as the primary repository for all criminal history data in the Commonwealth. This guide explains how to search Augusta County criminal records, what each office holds, and how to request copies of the records you need.

Augusta County Circuit Court Clerk

The Circuit Court Clerk is the primary keeper of felony criminal records in Augusta County. All felony cases charged in Augusta County go through the Circuit Court, which is part of the 25th Judicial Circuit. The Clerk maintains full case files that include indictments, motions, orders, judgments, and sentencing documents. These records are public. You can review them during business hours at the courthouse in Staunton.

Augusta County is somewhat unusual in Virginia because Staunton is an independent city, not part of the county itself. The Augusta County Courthouse is located in Staunton even though Staunton operates as a separate political unit. This can cause confusion when searching for records. If a crime occurred within the city limits of Staunton, those records are held by the Staunton Circuit Court Clerk, not the Augusta County Clerk. Make sure you know where the offense took place before you visit the wrong office.

To access felony criminal records at the Augusta County Circuit Court, you can visit in person or submit a written request. Copy fees apply under Virginia Code Title 17.1, which sets the standard copy rate at $.50 per page for most court documents. The Clerk can search by party name or case number. If you have a case number, bring it with you. It speeds up the search considerably.

General District Court and Online Case Search

The Augusta County General District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases and traffic violations. This is where most lower-level offenses are heard, including Class 1 and Class 2 misdemeanors. The court also conducts preliminary hearings for felony charges before they are referred to the Circuit Court. Case records here include warrants, summonses, court orders, and sentencing information.

Virginia provides free online access to General District Court case information through the Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System (OCIS). You can search by name, case number, or hearing date. The system shows basic case details including charge, case status, hearing dates, and disposition. It does not include the full case file, but it is a good first step for checking whether a case exists or confirming a case number before you request full documents.

The Augusta County General District Court is part of the Twenty-fifth Judicial District. You can find contact details and local court information at the Augusta General District Court page on the Virginia courts website. Misdemeanor records stay at the district court level unless an appeal is filed to the Circuit Court.

Note: Online case information shows recent cases but may not include older records that were not entered into the electronic system. For older records, an in-person visit to the clerk's office is often the better option.

Augusta County Sheriff and Arrest Records

The Augusta County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency serving unincorporated parts of the county. The Sheriff maintains arrest records, incident reports, and jail booking records. These records document who was arrested, when, and on what charges. The Sheriff also operates the Middle River Regional Jail in partnership with Staunton, Waynesboro, and other localities in the region.

You can request records from the Sheriff under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at Virginia Code Title 2.2, Chapter 37. Public records must be provided within five working days of receiving your request. Some records are exempt. Ongoing investigations, confidential informant information, and juvenile records may be withheld in part or in full. Basic incident information is generally available, including the date, time, and location of reported incidents.

All arrests made by the Augusta County Sheriff are reported to the Virginia State Police CCRE within 15 days under Virginia Code § 19.2-390. This means arrest records show up in statewide criminal history searches even if you only contact the CCRE. The Sheriff's website at co.augusta.va.us lists contact information and can direct you to the right office for records requests.

The Middle River Regional Jail houses individuals held pending trial or serving short sentences. Inmate status can be checked directly through the jail or through the VADOC Inmate Locator for those transferred to state custody. Victims can sign up for automated custody notifications through VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday).

The Virginia Judicial System provides an online case search through vacourts.gov, where Augusta County records can be searched by name or case number at no cost.

Felony cases in Augusta County appear in this statewide database, though full case documents must be obtained directly from the Circuit Court Clerk in Staunton.

Expungement of Augusta County Criminal Records

Virginia allows expungement of criminal records in certain situations under Virginia Code § 19.2-392.2. Expungement removes arrest and court records from public view. It is not available for all convictions, but it does apply to a meaningful set of outcomes.

You may be eligible for expungement in Augusta County if you were acquitted at trial, if the charge was dismissed or a nolle prosequi was entered, or if you received an absolute pardon. First-offense deferred dispositions may also qualify in some cases. The process starts with filing a petition in the Circuit Court of the county or city where the case was disposed. For Augusta County cases, that means filing in the Augusta County Circuit Court in Staunton. The petition must include the date of arrest, the name of the arresting agency, the specific charge, the date of final disposition, and your date of birth.

The attorney for the Commonwealth receives a copy of the petition and has 21 days to object or respond. If no objection is filed and you have no prior criminal record and the charge was a misdemeanor or civil offense, you are generally entitled to expungement. The court holds a hearing and decides based on whether continued access to the record causes manifest injustice. If granted, all agencies are ordered to destroy or seal the records.

Note: Expungement in Virginia does not erase conviction records for most felonies. Work with a licensed Virginia attorney to confirm whether your specific situation qualifies before filing.

Legal Resources in Augusta County

Several organizations provide legal help to residents of Augusta County who need assistance with criminal records, expungement, or related matters. Some offer free services to those who qualify based on income. Others can help you find a private attorney at a lower cost.

Blue Ridge Legal Services provides free civil legal aid to qualifying low-income individuals in the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding areas, including Augusta County. Their services include help with expungement petitions and other civil matters related to criminal records. Contact them through their website or local office for eligibility information. LawHelpVirginia at lawhelp.org/va lists legal aid offices by region and provides self-help guides for common legal issues. Virginia Free Legal Answers at va.freelegalanswers.org lets income-qualifying residents submit legal questions and get answers from volunteer attorneys online.

The Virginia State Bar Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with a licensed attorney in Augusta County or the surrounding 25th Circuit region. Call 1-800-552-7977 to get a referral. The first consultation is typically available at a reduced fee. The Virginia State Bar website also maintains a directory of attorneys searchable by practice area and location.

For those seeking their own criminal history record, the Virginia State Police CCRE accepts requests using the SP-167 form. A name search costs $15. A combined search that includes the Sex Offender Registry costs $20. Submit the form by mail with proper ID and payment to the Virginia State Police.

Cities in Augusta County

Augusta County does not contain any incorporated cities within its boundaries. Staunton and Waynesboro are independent cities that border Augusta County but are separate political jurisdictions under Virginia law. Criminal cases originating within those city limits go through the Staunton or Waynesboro courts, not the Augusta County courts. If you are unsure which jurisdiction handled a case, check the address where the offense occurred.

Communities within Augusta County include Verona, Fishersville, Weyers Cave, Waynesboro (county portions), Stuarts Draft, and Churchville. All fall under Augusta County's court jurisdiction.

Nearby Counties

Augusta County borders several other Virginia counties. Each has its own circuit and district courts. If you need records from a neighboring jurisdiction, use the links below.