Southampton County Criminal History

Southampton County criminal history records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Courtland and the Sheriff's Office. The county is part of the 5th Judicial Circuit of Virginia. You can search case records through Virginia's online court portal, visit the courthouse in person, or contact the Sheriff's Office for arrest records related to criminal incidents in Southampton County.

Southampton County Circuit Court Criminal Records

The Southampton County Circuit Court oversees all criminal, family, and civil cases in the county. Clerk of Court Hon. Richard L. Francis maintains all records at the 22350 Main Street address in Courtland. The office is open 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. The circuit court clerk is in charge of maintaining all records within the county, including felony case files, criminal orders, and sentencing documents. For email inquiries, reach the clerk at rfrancis@vacourts.gov.

Southampton County is part of the 5th Judicial Circuit of Virginia. The circuit court handles the most serious criminal matters in the county, including felony trials and appeals from lower courts. Case records at this level include the full criminal file -- charging documents, motions, court orders, and the final disposition. Copies of case records can be obtained in person or by mail from the Clerk's office.

The Southampton County Circuit Court page lists clerk contact information and court schedule details for criminal case filings.

General District Court in Southampton County

The Southampton County General District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and civil matters under $25,000. It is part of the same court system in Courtland and is accessible online through Virginia's statewide court information portal. Misdemeanor criminal records from this court are searchable at eapps.courts.state.va.us/gdcourts/ by name, case number, or hearing date. No fee is required to use the online search tool.

For the General District Court's official contact information and schedule, visit the Virginia Judicial System's Southampton General District Court page. Criminal cases heard here that are appealed move to the Circuit Court for a full trial.

Southampton County Sheriff's Office

The Southampton County Sheriff's Office, led by Sheriff Josh Wyche Sr., maintains arrest records for all crimes within the county. The office is located at P.O. Box 400, Courtland, VA 23837. Call (757) 653-3015 to reach the main line. Fax is (757) 653-0227. The Sheriff's Office keeps an up-to-date list of all registered sex offenders in Southampton County, including those living, working, going to school, or imprisoned in the area. This register is accessible to the public.

To request records, you must provide written requests with photo identification. State IDs and driver's licenses are accepted. Office hours for records requests are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Standard records can usually be delivered by mail, email, or fax once payment is received. Official Southampton County records can only be sent by mail.

Search Criminal History in Southampton County

Virginia provides free online access to court cases in Southampton County. The Online Case Information System (OCIS) covers criminal and traffic cases statewide. Use eapps.courts.state.va.us/gdcourts/ for General District Court records and vacourts.gov/caseinfo/home for the full case information system covering both circuit and district courts.

In-person searches at the Circuit Court Clerk's office at 22350 Main Street in Courtland let you inspect full case files. Bring photo ID. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $2.00 per document. Mail requests are also accepted. Provide the party name, case number, and approximate date in your written request along with payment.

State records resources for Southampton County provide details on the Sheriff's Office, court contacts, and how to access criminal history data.

Virginia State Police Criminal Record Checks

For a full criminal history record on any person tied to Southampton County, the Virginia State Police is the central source. The CCRE holds statewide criminal history data from courts and law enforcement. Members of the public request records using Form SP-167, which must be notarized. The fee is $15.00 per name-based search. Mail your completed form to: Virginia State Police, Civil and Applicant Records Exchange (CARE), 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, VA 23235. More information is at vsp.virginia.gov/criminal-record-check/.

Access to CCRE records is governed by Virginia Code § 19.2-389. The public can request criminal history for lawful purposes including personal record review. The VSP website at vsp.virginia.gov has the full list of forms and eligible requestors.

VADOC Inmate Locator

The Virginia Department of Corrections provides a free public inmate locator at vadoc.virginia.gov/general-public/inmate-locator/. Search by name to find out if someone from Southampton County is currently incarcerated in a state correctional facility. The tool returns basic location and status data. It does not cover local jails or federal facilities.

Criminal Records Access in Southampton County

Most criminal court records in Southampton County are public. Court records are governed by Virginia's court records statutes, while other government records fall under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. Under Virginia Code § 19.2-389, criminal history records held by the State Police have specific access rules. Court records at the Circuit and District Court levels are separately governed by Titles 16.1 and 17.1 of the Virginia Code, which presume public access to nonconfidential records.

Restricted records include juvenile case files, expunged records, adoption records, mental health proceedings, and sealed matters. The Clerk's office reviews requests and withholds only what is protected by law. Photo ID is required for in-person requests. Only applications put in writing are accepted for official records. All written requests should include the subject's name, approximate date of the case, and what type of record is needed.

For vital records tied to court matters, Southampton County charges $12 per certificate for birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. These go through the Virginia Department of Health, not the court clerk. Criminal records are a separate category and must be requested from the Clerk or the Sheriff depending on the type of record needed.

Nearby Counties

Southampton County is in the south-central part of Virginia's coastal plain. These counties border it and each has its own court system.