Find Criminal History Records in Smyth County
Smyth County criminal history records are available through the Circuit Court Clerk in Marion, the Smyth County Sheriff's Office, and the Virginia State Police. The county's courts are part of the 27th Judicial Circuit of Virginia. You can search case records online through state-run portals, visit the courthouse, or submit a FOIA request to the Sheriff's Office for arrest and incident records.
Smyth County Overview
Smyth County Circuit Court Criminal Records
The Smyth County Circuit Court is part of the 27th Judicial Circuit of Virginia. The Clerk of Circuit Court maintains all court records for criminal and civil cases in the county. Criminal records from the Circuit Court include felony case files, indictments, sentencing orders, and related court documents. The court is located at the Smyth County Courthouse in Marion. Contact information is available through the Virginia Judicial System's Smyth County Circuit Court page.
To request records from the Circuit Court, visit the Clerk's office at the courthouse during business hours or send a written request. The Clerk is responsible for maintaining all court files and ensuring proper recordkeeping. Constitutional officers -- including the Circuit Court Clerk, Commonwealth's Attorney, and Sheriff -- each handle records requests for their own offices separately. If you need criminal records from the Clerk's office, contact them directly. For arrest records, the Sheriff's Office is the right place.
| Office | Smyth County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Location | Smyth County Courthouse, Marion, VA 24354 |
| Judicial Circuit | 27th Judicial Circuit of Virginia |
| Court Info | vacourts.gov/courts/circuit/Smyth |
The Smyth County Circuit Court page on the Virginia Judicial System website provides clerk contact details and scheduling information for criminal cases.
General District Court in Smyth County
The Smyth County General District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and civil matters under $25,000. The court sits in Marion and is accessible online through the statewide case system. Misdemeanor records from this court -- including convictions, guilty pleas, and sentencing -- are part of the overall Smyth County criminal history picture. Cases appealed from the General District Court move to the Circuit Court level.
The Smyth County General District Court page lists contact details and covers the court's jurisdiction over misdemeanor criminal matters.
Smyth County Sheriff's Office
The Smyth County Sheriff's Office is a full-service law enforcement agency covering approximately 452 square miles and serving a population of about 30,000. The office employs about 59 full-time and 34 part-time staff assigned to Field, Investigations, Court Security, Civil Process, Warrant Service, Crime Prevention, Communications, and Administrative divisions. The FOIA Officer for the Sheriff's Office is Carly Greer.
To request offense reports or arrest records, you can visit the office in person or send a written request by mail. Office reports may be released to the individuals involved and their insurance companies. No juvenile information is released. The FOIA cost structure is $25.00 per hour for research and duplication, $0.50 per page, and $1.00 per CD. Contact the Sheriff's Office at 626 S. Main St., Marion, VA 24354, phone (276) 781-2349, or email crgreer@smythcounty.org. The office also offers fingerprinting by appointment at the Smyth County Courthouse -- call (276) 781-2349 to schedule. Smyth County residents are fingerprinted free of charge.
The Smyth County Sheriff's Office website at smythcounty.org has more information on services and how to submit records requests. For FOIA requests to the county administrator's office, contact Alicia Richardson at 121 Bagley Circle, Suite 100, Marion, VA 24354. Visit smythcounty.org/how_do_i/submit/foia.php for the online FOIA request form.
Search Criminal History in Smyth County
Virginia's statewide court portals give free access to Smyth County criminal case information. Use the Online Case Information System (OCIS) for a broad statewide search. The General District Court online system at eapps.courts.state.va.us/gdcourts/ covers misdemeanor cases. The Virginia Courts Case Information System gives access to both circuit and district court records through one portal.
For in-person access, visit the Circuit Court Clerk's office at the Smyth County Courthouse in Marion during regular business hours. Bring valid photo ID. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $2.00 per document. Mail requests are accepted with written identification of the case and payment.
Online guides for Smyth County explain the types of criminal records available and the ways to request them from county offices.
Virginia State Police Criminal Record Checks
The Virginia State Police maintains criminal history data for all of Virginia, including Smyth County, through the Central Criminal Records Exchange. Members of the public request records using Form SP-167, which must be notarized and mailed with a $15.00 fee. Mail requests to: Virginia State Police, Civil and Applicant Records Exchange (CARE), 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, VA 23235. Full instructions are at vsp.virginia.gov/criminal-record-check/.
Under Virginia Code § 19.2-389, criminal history records from the CCRE serve lawful public purposes including personal record review. Official arrest records can also be requested directly from the Smyth County Sheriff's Office Records Department for incidents in the county.
VADOC Inmate Locator
Use the Virginia Department of Corrections inmate locator at vadoc.virginia.gov/general-public/inmate-locator/ to search for individuals from Smyth County who may be incarcerated in a Virginia state facility. Search by name to get basic location and status details. This tool covers state prisons and correctional centers, not local jails or federal facilities.
Criminal Records Access in Smyth County
Virginia's Freedom of Information Act, located at Code of Virginia § 2.2-3700 et seq., guarantees public access to public records held by government bodies. Under FOIA, all public records are presumed open and may only be withheld under a specific statutory exemption. A public record includes any writing or recording prepared or owned by a public body in the transaction of public business. Smyth County must respond to FOIA requests within five working days. If more time is needed, the county must notify you in writing and has seven additional days to respond.
Court records at the Circuit Court Clerk's office are separately governed by Virginia court records statutes under Titles 16.1 and 17.1 of the Virginia Code. Nonconfidential court records are open for inspection and copying. Restricted records include juvenile files, sealed cases, adoption records, mental health proceedings, and records protected by attorney-client privilege. The same basic FOIA principles of presumed openness apply.
For records at the Sheriff's Office, FOIA requests should be directed to the FOIA officer Carly Greer at the address above. The Sheriff's Office maintains law enforcement records, 911 records, and personnel records. Research and duplication fees apply as described above. Written requests are required for official records.
Nearby Counties
Smyth County is in the southwestern corner of Virginia and borders these counties. Each has its own court system and criminal records office.