Highland County Criminal History Records

Highland County criminal history records are kept at the Circuit Court in Monterey, Virginia. The court handles all felony criminal cases for this small rural mountain county. You can search case records online through the Virginia courts system or contact the clerk's office to request copies of criminal case files and records.

Highland County Circuit Court Criminal Records

The Highland Circuit Court is part of the 25th Judicial Circuit of Virginia. The Clerk of Court is Hon. Judy W. Hupman, reachable at jhupman@vacourts.gov. Office hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Passport issuance times are more limited, from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. The phone number is (540) 468-2447 and the fax is (540) 468-2047. The mailing address is P.O. Box 190, Monterey, VA 24465. The physical address is 165 W. Main Street, Monterey, VA 24465.

This court handles all felony criminal cases in Highland County. Highland is one of Virginia's smallest counties by population, located in the Allegheny Highlands along the West Virginia border. The court also handles civil matters and appeals from the General District Court. Because the county is small, the Circuit Court sees fewer criminal cases than courts in more populous jurisdictions. That said, all felony criminal proceedings that do occur in Highland County go through this court, and the clerk's office maintains complete records of those cases. The Circuit Court also serves as a passport acceptance facility during the limited passport issuance hours.

The Highland Circuit Court at 165 W. Main Street in Monterey handles all felony criminal proceedings in the county. The clerk's office maintains criminal case records available to the public.

General District Court in Highland County

The Highland General District Court is part of the 25th Judicial District. It handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings for felony charges. As with other small Virginia counties, the General District Court in Highland County sees a lower volume of cases than urban courts, but it is the first point of entry for most criminal proceedings in the county. Misdemeanor convictions from this court are part of a person's criminal record and are reported to the Virginia State Police.

Online case searches for the Highland General District Court can be done through the General District Court Case Information portal. For records not available online, contact the clerk's office at (540) 468-2447 or visit in person at 165 W. Main Street in Monterey during office hours.

Highland County Sheriff's Office

The Highland County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the county. It handles patrol throughout this largely rural, mountainous county and is responsible for criminal investigations. Arrests made by the Sheriff's Office are reported to the Virginia State Police and added to the Central Criminal Records Exchange. For public records requests, contact the Sheriff's Office in Monterey. The county's small size means the Sheriff's Office is the main, and often only, law enforcement presence for most of the county's territory.

Highland County borders West Virginia and has extensive national forest land within its boundaries. The Virginia State Police provides additional law enforcement support in the area and handles many incidents on state highways. If you need law enforcement records from incidents on state roads in Highland County, you may need to contact the VSP as well as the Sheriff's Office.

Search Criminal History in Highland County

The Virginia Online Case Information System (OCIS) is the main online tool for searching Highland County criminal records. Search by defendant name, case number, or hearing date. The system covers general district courts and select circuit courts statewide. For Highland County, this gives you access to both circuit and general district case data. Because Highland has a small population and lower case volume, results tend to come up quickly when searching by name.

The Virginia Courts Case Information hub links OCIS and all other search tools in one place. For records that are not in the online systems, including older filings, contact the clerk's office directly at (540) 468-2447 or email jhupman@vacourts.gov. The clerk is accessible by email, which can be convenient for rural residents who live far from the Monterey courthouse.

Note: Highland County is one of Virginia's most rural and remote counties. If you plan to visit the courthouse in Monterey in person, confirm hours by phone before making the trip, especially in winter months when mountain road conditions can affect accessibility.

Virginia State Police Criminal Record Checks

An official criminal history check covering Highland County arrests and convictions can be requested through the Virginia State Police Criminal Record Check portal. Use Form SP-167 for personal record requests. The VSP Central Criminal Records Exchange (CARE) holds data from all Virginia courts and law enforcement agencies, including those in Highland County. Access to this data is governed by Virginia Code Section 19.2-389. The general public can access conviction records. Full arrest histories, including cases that did not result in conviction, are restricted to authorized parties.

VADOC Inmate Locator

If someone convicted in a Highland County case is serving time in a Virginia state prison, you can find their location through the VADOC Inmate Locator. Search by name or offender number. Results show the current facility, sentence details, and projected release date. The locator covers state correctional facilities only. For information about persons held locally in the Highland County area, contact the Sheriff's Office in Monterey directly.

Public Criminal Records in Highland County

Criminal court records in Highland County are public under Virginia law. The Circuit Court and General District Court both maintain files that any person can ask to view or copy. You do not need to be a party to the case or have a special legal reason to request access. The clerk's office at 165 W. Main Street in Monterey handles all records requests during regular business hours. Fees apply for copies, with certified documents costing more. Both types are available for most criminal proceedings.

Some records are sealed or restricted. Juvenile cases are never public in Virginia. Cases that have been expunged are removed from public access. Certain victim information may be redacted. Full criminal history reports with all arrest data are restricted to authorized parties under Virginia Code Section 19.2-389. What the public can access includes felony and misdemeanor conviction records, open case dockets, and court orders from completed proceedings.

For Highland County, the clerk's office is reachable directly by email at jhupman@vacourts.gov, which is useful for rural residents or those who cannot easily travel to Monterey. When emailing for records, include the full name of the party you are searching for, the approximate year of the case, and the type of record you need. The clerk can confirm whether a record exists and explain the process for getting copies.

Highland County government services, including the Circuit Court and Sheriff's Office, are centered in Monterey, the county seat. The clerk's office handles records requests for all criminal proceedings in the county.

Cities Near Highland County

Highland County is one of Virginia's most remote counties. The nearest independent cities with their own court systems are Staunton and Waynesboro to the east. No qualifying cities are located within Highland County itself. Criminal cases for county residents go through the Monterey courthouse.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Highland. Each has its own Circuit Court and General District Court for criminal cases.