Lynchburg Criminal History Records
Lynchburg criminal history records are kept by the Lynchburg Circuit Court and the Lynchburg General District Court, both located on Court Street in the 24th Judicial Circuit. Lynchburg is an independent city with its own courts, its own clerk, and a police department that maintains separate arrest records. You can search many Lynchburg criminal cases online through the Virginia Judiciary systems, request copies by mail, or visit the clerk in person. This page explains what each source holds and how to use it.
Lynchburg Overview
Lynchburg Circuit Court Criminal Records
The Lynchburg Circuit Court is at 900 Court Street, Lynchburg, VA 24505 (P.O. Box 4). Hon. Kenneth T. Swisher serves as Clerk of Court. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Reach the general line at (434) 455-2620. The Criminal Division fax is (434) 455-0041. The Lynchburg Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, civil matters over $4,500 concurrent with the General District Court for the $4,500-$25,000 range, divorce proceedings, and all appeals from the lower courts.
Felony criminal records for Lynchburg are filed and maintained by this court's clerk. Case files include indictments, pleas, court orders, verdicts, and sentencing information. These records are part of the public record in Virginia unless the court has sealed them. The clerk also maintains land records, handles probate, and issues marriage licenses. The circuit court website at lynchburgva.gov/circuit-court provides information on online case access, OCRA for attorneys, and land record services.
| Office | Lynchburg Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 900 Court Street, Lynchburg, VA 24505 (P.O. Box 4) |
| Phone | (434) 455-2620 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | vacourts.gov - Lynchburg Circuit Court |
The Lynchburg Circuit Court city page provides online access to case information, land records, and clerk services for Lynchburg criminal history research.
General District Court in Lynchburg
The Lynchburg General District Court is at 905 Court Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504. The Criminal Division can be reached at (434) 455-2630 and the Civil Division at (434) 455-2640. The fax is (434) 847-1779. This court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, civil cases under $25,000, and preliminary hearings for felony cases before they move to the circuit court. No jury trials take place here. All cases are decided by a judge.
Misdemeanor criminal records from this court are public. The clerk maintains these records and can provide copies on request. Online access to Lynchburg General District Court records is available through the Virginia case information system. The Lynchburg Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court is nearby at 909 Court Street, First Level, and can be reached at (434) 455-2670. Juvenile records from that court are confidential.
The Virginia Judiciary page for Lynchburg Circuit Court shows clerk contact information, hours, and links to case search tools for Lynchburg criminal records.
Lynchburg Police Department
The Lynchburg Police Department maintains publicly available arrest records and disseminates them to members of the public on request. Arrest records from the Lynchburg Police are separate from court case records. To get a police arrest record, contact the department's records division. Virginia's Freedom of Information Act governs these requests, and responses are typically required within five working days. Fees may apply depending on the volume and format of records requested.
Keep in mind that an arrest record is not the same as a conviction. For court outcomes, you need to check the General District Court or Circuit Court records. The Lynchburg Police Department's records can also be a starting point for confirming when and why an arrest occurred, which you can then follow up with court records for the case outcome.
Search Criminal History in Lynchburg
Several online tools make it easy to search Lynchburg criminal history records without visiting the courthouse. The statewide OCIS search at eapps.courts.state.va.us/ocis/search covers adult criminal cases across Virginia general district courts and many circuit courts. Search by first and last name. Results show charges, case numbers, hearing dates, and dispositions. This tool is free. It's a good way to check quickly for Lynchburg misdemeanor and felony records in one search.
The General District Court case search lets you pick Lynchburg from the court list and search by name, case number, or hearing date. This covers traffic, criminal, and civil cases at the General District Court level. For circuit court records, the Virginia Courts Case Information system has a Circuit Court Case Information tab where you can select Lynchburg Circuit and search by name or case number. The circuit court search covers criminal and civil cases.
The Lynchburg circuit court website at lynchburgva.gov/circuit-court also links to the Virginia case information tools for Lynchburg. For any records that don't appear online, call the clerk at (434) 455-2620. Staff can look up cases and advise on getting certified copies. A resource at lynchburg.virginia.recordspage.org provides an additional overview of what records are available and where to find them in Lynchburg.
This Lynchburg records resource page explains how to use the Virginia case information tools and where to find criminal history records for the city.
Virginia State Police Criminal Record Checks
The Virginia State Police maintains the Central Criminal Records Exchange, which holds statewide criminal history for Virginia including Lynchburg courts and law enforcement. For a personal record check, submit Form SP-167 with a notarized signature and a $15 fee. Processing typically takes 15 to 20 business days. This is the most complete source for a full Virginia criminal history, covering records from courts and law enforcement agencies across the state.
The CARE program handles record requests from licensed organizations such as daycare centers, assisted living facilities, and foster care agencies. That program uses Form SP-230 and has its own authorization requirements. Individual citizens who want to see their own record use Form SP-167. For Lynchburg residents, this is the right tool to get a comprehensive record that goes beyond what a single court search shows.
Note: Form SP-167 requires a notarized signature. You can get it notarized at many banks and UPS stores in Lynchburg.
VADOC Inmate Locator
The Virginia Department of Corrections provides a free inmate locator at vadoc.virginia.gov/general-public/inmate-locator/. Search by name or VADOC offender number to find someone in state custody. Results show the facility, admission date, and projected release date. This covers state-level incarceration only. People held in the Lynchburg Adult Detention Center or other local facilities are not in the VADOC system.
Criminal Records Access in Lynchburg
Virginia law at Virginia Code ยง 19.2-389 governs who can get criminal history information and how it can be shared. Court records in Lynchburg are public unless sealed. Case filings, charges, verdicts, and sentencing records are open to anyone through the courthouse or the Virginia case information systems. The CCRE database held by the State Police is restricted to authorized agencies, but court-level records are accessible to the general public.
Sealed records, juvenile records, adoption records, and records under protective orders are not available to the public. Expunged records are removed from public view. Expungement is available in Virginia for charges that were dismissed, cases where the person was acquitted, or other limited situations under Virginia law. If expungement is granted, the court notifies the State Police and law enforcement agencies to destroy their copies of the records.
Lynchburg residents who need legal help related to criminal records can contact legal aid organizations serving the region. The Central Virginia Legal Aid Society provides services in the Lynchburg area. The clerk's office at the Lynchburg Circuit Court can explain what records are public, how to get copies, and what fees apply. Call (434) 455-2620 during business hours for assistance.
Nearby Virginia Cities
These Virginia cities are near Lynchburg. Each is an independent city with its own courts and criminal records.