Goochland County Criminal History
Criminal history records for Goochland County are maintained at the Circuit Court on River Road West in Goochland. You can search case records online through the Virginia court system or request copies from the clerk's office and the Goochland County Sheriff's Office.
Goochland County Overview
Goochland Circuit Court Criminal Records
The Goochland Circuit Court is part of the 16th Judicial Circuit of Virginia. The Clerk of Court is Hon. Amanda Adams. The clerk's office is open 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The phone number is (804) 556-5353 and the fax is (804) 556-4962. The mailing address is P.O. Box 196, 2938 River Road West, Goochland, VA 23063.
This court handles felony criminal cases for Goochland County. All serious crimes charged in the county, including violent offenses, drug felonies, and property crimes above the misdemeanor threshold, are tried here. The Circuit Court also hears appeals from the General District Court. Criminal case files at the Circuit Court include charging documents, motions, hearing transcripts, and sentencing orders. These records are available to the public through the clerk's office at 2938 River Road West.
| Office | Goochland County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 196 Goochland, VA 23063 |
| Physical Address | 2938 River Road West Goochland, VA 23063 |
| Phone | (804) 556-5353 |
| Fax | (804) 556-4962 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | vacourts.gov - Goochland Circuit Court |
The Goochland Circuit Court at 2938 River Road West is the main venue for felony criminal proceedings in the county. The clerk's office maintains all criminal case records.
General District Court in Goochland County
The Goochland General District Court is also part of the 16th Judicial District. It handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings for felony charges. The General District Court is co-located with the Circuit Court at the main county courthouse complex on River Road West. Records from this court cover misdemeanor convictions and the early stages of felony cases in Goochland County.
For online searches of Goochland General District Court records, use the General District Court Case Information system. Recent cases should appear there. Older records may require a trip to the clerk's office or a written request.
Goochland County Sheriff's Office
The Goochland County Sheriff's Office handles patrol, courthouse security, and the service of court papers across the county. The office is located at 2938 River Road West, Building C, Goochland, VA 23063. The general contact email is gcso@goochlandva.us and the phone number is (804) 556-5349. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM, and Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM. Arrest records from the Sheriff's Office are part of the county's criminal history data and may be accessed through a public records request.
The Sheriff's Office has a formal FOIA process for public records requests. You can submit a request by email to the FOIA Officer Arla Newton, by mail to P.O. Box 29, Goochland, VA 23063, or in person at Building C on River Road West. The office will respond within five business days. Publicly available police reports can be obtained from the public information window at the same address. If estimated costs for a records request exceed $200, a deposit may be required. Visit goochlandsheriff.com/foia for details on how to submit requests and what to expect.
The Goochland County Sheriff's Office at Building C on River Road West is the county's primary law enforcement agency and the starting point for many criminal records requests.
Search Criminal History in Goochland County
Several online tools can help you search criminal records connected to Goochland County. The OCIS statewide search tool covers general district courts and select circuit courts across Virginia. You can look up cases by name or case number. The system shows case status, hearing dates, and basic party information. Results load quickly for recent cases.
The General District Court portal provides case data specific to the general district level, including Goochland's court. The Virginia Courts Case Information hub links all search tools in one place. If you cannot find what you need online, contact the Goochland Circuit Court clerk at (804) 556-5353 or visit in person during office hours.
For accident reports involving Goochland County, the Sheriff's Office uses CARFAX for report access. Requesters need the report number, last name of an involved party, and the date of the accident. Details are available at goochlandsheriff.com.
Virginia State Police Criminal Record Checks
For an official criminal history report covering all of Virginia, including Goochland County cases, the Virginia State Police is the right source. Submit a request through the VSP Criminal Record Check portal. Individuals can use Form SP-167 to request their own records. The VSP's Central Criminal Records Exchange (CARE) holds statewide arrest and conviction data. Access rules are set out in Virginia Code Section 19.2-389, which limits full criminal history reports to authorized users. Public access is primarily to conviction records. Charges that were dismissed or resulted in acquittal may not appear in a standard public records search.
VADOC Inmate Locator
People sentenced from Goochland County cases to state prison can be found through the VADOC Inmate Locator. The search is free and works by name or offender number. It shows the facility, projected release, and sentence information. Local detainees held in the county jail are not in this database. For local custody information, contact the Goochland County Sheriff's Office directly.
Public Criminal Records in Goochland County
Virginia law makes most criminal court records public. The Goochland Circuit Court and General District Court both maintain records that anyone can request. You can ask for case files, court orders, and docket sheets without needing a specific legal reason. The Freedom of Information Act that governs the Sheriff's Office also gives the public the right to access many police records. Virginia Code defines a public record as any writing or recording prepared by a public body in the transaction of public business.
Some records are sealed or restricted. Juvenile cases are not public. Expunged records are removed from public access. Victim information may be redacted from some documents. Full criminal history reports, including arrest data beyond what appears in court records, are governed by Virginia Code Section 19.2-389, which limits that level of access to authorized entities. For most purposes, what you can get through the clerk's office and online tools is the conviction record and the public court docket.
The Goochland Sheriff's FOIA page makes it easy to understand your rights under state law and how to submit a request for records held by the Sheriff's Office. Responses come within five business days. Costs are limited to actual staff time and copying expenses, and the office must waive fees if costs do not exceed a minimal threshold.
The Goochland Sheriff's FOIA page explains how to request public records including police reports and arrest information from the county's law enforcement office.
Cities Near Goochland County
Goochland County is west of Richmond in central Virginia. The nearest independent cities are Richmond to the east and Charlottesville to the west. Both have their own court systems separate from Goochland County's courts.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Goochland. Each has its own Circuit Court and General District Court for criminal proceedings.