Spotsylvania County Criminal Records

Spotsylvania County criminal history records are on file at the Circuit Court Clerk's office at the Judicial Center in Spotsylvania and through the Virginia State Police. The county is part of the 15th Judicial Circuit. You can search court cases online, visit the courthouse, or request records by mail. The Clerk's office has kept criminal case records since 1722 and serves as the official custodian of all circuit court filings.

Spotsylvania County Circuit Court Criminal Records

The Spotsylvania County Circuit Court Clerk, Hon. Christalyn M. Jett, has served in that role since 2008. She was elected by the voters of Spotsylvania for an eight-year term. The Code of Virginia lists over 800 responsibilities for the Clerk, many of which are legally complex. On the criminal side, the Clerk prepares criminal court orders that determine the outcome of criminal cases, collects fines and costs upon conviction, and maintains all criminal felony case files, misdemeanor appeal cases, and criminal indictments. The Clerk also provides critical information on criminal convictions and terms of incarceration to the Department of Corrections, Probation and Parole, the State Police, and other public safety agencies.

The Circuit Court is at 9107 Judicial Center Lane, Spotsylvania, VA 22553. The Clerk's office is open 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The court has two active judges: Judge Rigual in Courtroom 1 and Judge Glover in Courtroom 2. For weather or emergency closings, call (540) 507-7498 and enter 3960#. You can also review the Clerk's page on the Spotsylvania County website for a full list of services.

The Records and Recordation Services page at spotsylvania.va.us has guidance on searching records prior to January 1996. For those older records, you must use the grantee/grantor index. Civil and criminal cases that are public record and filed in the office can be accessed through the records department. For recorded documents, call the records room at (540) 507-7609.

The Spotsylvania County Circuit Court page on the Virginia Judicial System website has contact details for the clerk and both courtrooms.

General District Court in Spotsylvania County

The Spotsylvania County General District Court is located at 9111 Courthouse Road, Judicial Center, 1st Floor, Spotsylvania, VA 22553. Call (540) 507-7680 for the court, or fax (540) 582-7288. Hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This court handles civil cases up to $25,000, misdemeanors, and traffic violations. The court clerk maintains all records for these cases and can help with record searches at the office. Records may also be viewed online, except those related to protective orders, civil commitment proceedings, temporary detention orders, and medical emergency custody orders.

Online case search requires only a party name, case number, or hearing date. There are no fees to use the online system. Visit eapps.courts.state.va.us/gdcourts/ to start your search. For the official court page with contact information, visit the Virginia Judicial System's Spotsylvania General District Court page.

The Spotsylvania General District Court page shows court address, phone, and hours for records access and in-person requests.

Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office

The Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement for the county and maintains arrest records. For arrest records and incident reports, contact the Sheriff's office directly. The Division of Administrative Services provides access to criminal records. You can submit a written request online through the sheriff's Online Record Request portal. Provide the full name of the subject, your contact information, the name of the investigating deputy, the date and approximate time of the incident, and the local case number if you have it. The office is at 1225 Courthouse Road, Stafford, VA 22554 (shared Judicial Center area) -- call (540) 658-4969 or email dstout@staffordcountyva.gov for records inquiries in the area.

Search Criminal History in Spotsylvania County

Virginia gives you multiple tools to search criminal history records in Spotsylvania County at no cost. The Online Case Information System (OCIS) covers criminal and traffic cases statewide. For district court records, use eapps.courts.state.va.us/gdcourts/. The Virginia Courts Case Information System provides broader access to both circuit and district court cases across the state.

In-person searches at the Clerk's office give you access to the full case file. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $2.00 per document. A 3% convenience fee is added for card payments. Property records from 1722 to the present are on file. For records prior to January 1996, use the grantee/grantor index available at the records room.

Criminal records held by the Virginia State Police are separate from court records. For a statewide criminal history report, individuals must complete Form SP-167 and submit it by mail to the Virginia State Police. The form must be notarized. A $15.00 fee applies per search. This process is governed by Virginia Code § 19.2-389.

Virginia State Police Criminal Record Checks

The Virginia State Police manages the Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE), which holds comprehensive criminal history data including records from Spotsylvania County courts and law enforcement. To request a record, complete Form SP-167, have it notarized, and mail it with a $15.00 fee to the CARE unit at 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, VA 23235. For non-criminal justice entities, Form SP-230 may apply. Details and forms are at vsp.virginia.gov/criminal-record-check/.

Under Virginia Code § 19.2-389, the public may access certain criminal history records for lawful purposes. The VSP also handles sex offender registry searches through Form SP-266 for a separate $15.00 fee, or a combined criminal history and sex offender check for $20.00.

VADOC Inmate Locator

The Virginia Department of Corrections offers a free inmate locator at vadoc.virginia.gov/general-public/inmate-locator/. Search by name to find out if someone from Spotsylvania County is currently housed in a state correctional facility. The tool shows basic location and status information. It does not cover local jails or federal incarceration.

Criminal Records Access in Spotsylvania County

Spotsylvania County court records are official documentation of case proceedings held in the county courts. Under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), court records are generally considered public records. However, exceptions apply. Sealed court records are not accessible. Criminal court records where the defendant was found innocent may be restricted. Identifying information about minors, sensitive financial details, ongoing investigation records, mental health proceedings, adoption records, and adult and juvenile custody files may also be withheld.

To request court records, visit the Clerk's office during business hours or submit a written request by mail. Include the party name, case number or approximate date, and type of document needed. Mail requests should go to P.O. Box 96, 9107 Judicial Center Lane, Spotsylvania, VA 22553. The Clerk will determine what can be released and what is restricted before responding. For records held at the records room, call (540) 507-7609.

Property records from 1722 to the present are on file at the Clerk's office. Copies cost $0.50 per page for plain documents and $2.00 per page for certified copies. Card payments carry a 3% convenience fee. The Clerk's office does not provide legal advice on how to use records once obtained. For attorney referrals, contact the Virginia State Bar's lawyer referral service.

Nearby Counties

Spotsylvania County is in the Northern Neck and Piedmont transition region of Virginia. These neighboring counties each have their own court systems.