Search Russell County Criminal History
Russell County criminal history records are held by the Circuit Court Clerk in Lebanon, Virginia. The county is part of the 29th Judicial Circuit, located in Southwest Virginia. Criminal records for Russell County cases can be searched online through the Virginia Judiciary's free case portals, or you can contact the clerk's office directly during business hours to request copies of criminal case files, court documents, and other records related to cases filed in Russell County.
Russell County Overview
Russell County Circuit Court
The Russell County Circuit Court is the main trial court for felony criminal matters in the county. Hon. M. Katie C Patton serves as Clerk of Court. The court is located at 83 East Main Street in Lebanon, with a mailing address of P.O. Box 435, Lebanon, VA 24266. Office hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. You can reach the clerk's office at (276) 889-8023 or by fax at (276) 889-8003. The clerk's office keeps records of all criminal cases filed in the Circuit Court, including felony charges, guilty pleas, trial verdicts, and sentences.
The Russell Circuit Court is part of the 29th Judicial Circuit of Virginia, which serves the far Southwest corner of the state. The court has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil matters over $25,000, family law, and probate. It also hears appeals from the General District Court. When the General District Court conducts a preliminary hearing on a felony charge and finds probable cause, the case is certified to the Circuit Court and the Clerk here takes over custody of the file from that point forward.
Certified copies of criminal case documents are available from the clerk's office for a fee. Call (276) 889-8023 to ask about the current fee schedule and what to bring or send when requesting copies. The Russell Circuit Court page on the Virginia Judiciary site has current information about the clerk and court resources.
| Office | Russell County Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Hon. M. Katie C Patton |
| Address | 83 East Main Street, P.O. Box 435, Lebanon, VA 24266 |
| Phone | (276) 889-8023 |
| Fax | (276) 889-8003 |
| Hours | 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Judicial Circuit | 29th Judicial Circuit of Virginia |
| Website | vacourts.gov - Russell Circuit Court |
The screenshot below was taken from the Virginia Judiciary website and shows the Russell Circuit Court's official contact page.
The Virginia Judiciary maintains this page with the clerk's contact details and court information for Russell County.
General District Court in Russell County
The Russell County General District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings for felony matters. It is the entry point for most criminal cases in the county before they move to the Circuit Court if needed. Misdemeanor convictions stay at the General District Court level unless appealed. The court's direct URL has at times returned errors in online searches, but case information from this court is accessible through the statewide Virginia Judiciary online systems described in the search section below.
For questions about specific misdemeanor cases or traffic records in Russell County, contact the circuit court clerk's office at (276) 889-8023 and ask to be directed to the General District Court clerk. In many smaller Virginia counties, the court staff can help route your inquiry to the right office. Case information from the General District Court is also searchable through the statewide online tools at no charge.
Russell County Sheriff's Office
The Russell County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement across the county and maintains arrest records for the area. An arrest record created by the Sheriff's Office captures the arrestee's name, charges, booking date, and related details. Under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, most arrest records are accessible to the public. Contact the Russell County Sheriff's Office directly to request arrest records or to ask about someone currently in the county jail.
Arrest records and court case records are two different things. An arrest record shows that a person was taken into custody. A court record shows what happened after charges were filed. You may need to check both sources to get the full history of a criminal matter in Russell County. Once a charge goes to the clerk, court case records are created. Those live at the Circuit Court or General District Court depending on the type of case.
Search Criminal History in Russell County
The Virginia Judiciary Case Information portal is the best free tool for finding Russell County criminal records online. You can search by name, case number, or hearing date. The system shows case status, upcoming hearings, and final dispositions. It covers both Circuit Court and General District Court data statewide. Russell County cases appear in this system alongside records from other Virginia jurisdictions.
Misdemeanor and traffic cases in Russell County can be searched through the General District Court Online Case Information System. Accept the terms and conditions, then search by name or case number. Cookies and JavaScript need to be enabled in your browser. Results show charge details, court dates, and outcomes. This system covers all Virginia General District Courts, so Russell County cases pull up alongside results from other counties.
For felony cases at the Circuit Court level, use the Online Case Information System (OCIS). Search by defendant name or case number to find Russell County felony records. The system shows charge information, case status, and disposition data. OCIS also lets you sign up for the Case Alert Subscription System (CASS), a free service that texts or emails you when a tracked case has activity. That can be useful if you are following a Russell County case through the court process over several months.
Note: These online systems are for looking up case information only. You cannot pay fines or court costs through them. Contact the Russell County Circuit Court clerk at (276) 889-8023 to handle payments or get certified copies.
Virginia State Police Criminal Record Checks
The Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange is the statewide repository for criminal history data. A formal record check through this system provides arrest and conviction history from all Virginia agencies combined. This is a broader view than what you get from a single court search. The process requires fingerprints and payment of fees. To request a check, complete Form SP-167 and submit it to the CARE office at 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, North Richmond, Virginia.
Access to formal criminal history records through the State Police is controlled by Virginia Code section 19.2-389. That statute defines which categories of persons and organizations may receive this information and for what purposes. For most members of the public, the free court record searches through the Virginia Judiciary portals provide the most accessible route to Russell County criminal case information.
VADOC Inmate Locator
For people convicted of felonies who are serving time in a Virginia state prison, the Virginia Department of Corrections offers an online lookup. The VADOC Inmate Locator lets you search by name to find the offender's current facility, sentence length, and projected release date. This system covers state correctional facilities only. Individuals held in the Russell County jail or a regional facility are not listed here. For those, contact the Russell County Sheriff's Office.
Russell County Criminal Records and Public Access
Court records in Russell County are open to the public under Virginia law. You can visit the Circuit Court Clerk's office at 83 East Main Street in Lebanon during the 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM business hours. Bring the name of the defendant or the case number if you have it. The clerk can search the records and give you copies for a fee. Typical fees in Virginia include a per-page charge for copies and an additional fee if you need them certified. The clerk's office can tell you the current fee schedule when you call or visit.
Virginia's Freedom of Information Act gives the public a right to access most government records, including records held by the Russell County Sheriff's Office and other county agencies. If you submit a FOIA request and it is denied, the agency must cite the specific legal exemption they are relying on. You can appeal that decision. Written FOIA requests to Russell County offices should be specific about what records you want and should cover a defined time period to make it easier for the agency to locate the material.
Under Virginia Code section 19.2-389, criminal history record information maintained in law enforcement databases is in a different category than court case files. The statute restricts who can request compiled criminal history data from the State Police system. Court filings, by contrast, are open to the public at the clerk's counter. If a case was expunged by court order, it is removed from public access. Expunged records do not appear in the online case search tools and cannot be accessed at the clerk's office in Russell County.
Cities in Russell County
Russell County does not contain any independent cities that meet the qualifying population threshold for a dedicated page. Lebanon serves as the county seat. All criminal cases from communities across Russell County are handled by the courts at 83 East Main Street in Lebanon.
Nearby Counties
Russell County is surrounded by other Southwest Virginia counties. Each has its own circuit court and district court for criminal matters. Check the location of the incident when deciding which county's records to search.