Sussex County Criminal History
Sussex County criminal history records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Sussex and the Sheriff's Office. The county is part of the 6th Judicial Circuit of Virginia. Criminal cases -- from felonies handled by the circuit court to misdemeanors in the district court -- all leave records that you can search online or request from the courthouse directly.
Sussex County Overview
Sussex County Circuit Court Criminal Records
Sussex County Circuit Court is part of the 6th Judicial Circuit of Virginia. The Clerk of Court is Hon. Gary M. Williams. The office is at 15088 Courthouse Road, Route 735, Sussex, VA 23884 (mailing: P.O. Box 1337). Phone: (434) 246-1012 or (434) 246-5511 Ext. 1012. Fax: (434) 246-2203. Office hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The circuit court system manages all criminal, civil, and family cases in Sussex County. The court clerk is responsible for maintaining all records within the county.
Criminal records at the Sussex County Circuit Court include felony case files, indictments, criminal orders, sentencing documents, and appeal records from the district court. The circuit court is the principal criminal court for serious offenses in the county. All filings, motions, and court orders related to felony cases are stored in the Clerk's office. To access these records, visit in person or submit a written request by mail. Photo ID is required for in-person requests. Only written applications are accepted for official records requests.
| Clerk | Hon. Gary M. Williams |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 1337, 15088 Courthouse Road Route 735, Sussex, VA 23884 |
| Phone | (434) 246-1012 |
| Fax | (434) 246-2203 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Court Info | vacourts.gov |
The Sussex County Circuit Court page on the Virginia Judicial System website has official contact information for the clerk and court schedule details.
General District Court in Sussex County
The Sussex County General District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic matters, and civil disputes under $25,000. The court is located at the same courthouse address in Sussex. Records from this court are part of the full criminal history picture in the county. Misdemeanor convictions, guilty pleas, and case dispositions from the General District Court are accessible online through the statewide case information system. Appeals from here move up to the Circuit Court.
Search General District Court records at eapps.courts.state.va.us/gdcourts/ by party name, case number, or hearing date. No fee is required to use the online search system. The Virginia Judicial System's Sussex General District Court page has official contact information.
Sussex County Sheriff's Office
The Sussex County Sheriff's Office, led by Sheriff Earnest L. Giles, Sr., is at 20212 Thornton Square, Sussex, Virginia 23884. Phone: (434) 246-5000. Fax: (434) 246-5714. The Sheriff maintains arrest records on all crimes within the county. Sussex County reported 15 violent crimes and 87 property crimes in 2021. Each registered sex offender in Sussex County should be on an up-to-date police list, including those living, working, attending school, or incarcerated in the county. This register is made available to the public.
To request records from the Sheriff's Office, provide a written request with photo identification (state ID or driver's license accepted). Ordinary records can be delivered by mail, email, or fax. Official Sussex County records can only be sent by mail. Office hours for requests are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. All applications for official records must be in writing.
Search Criminal History in Sussex County
Virginia gives you multiple free tools for searching Sussex County criminal history records. Use the Online Case Information System (OCIS) for broad statewide criminal case searches. District court cases are searchable at eapps.courts.state.va.us/gdcourts/. The Virginia Courts Case Information System connects you to both circuit and district court records from around the state.
For in-person requests, go to the Circuit Court Clerk's office at 15088 Courthouse Road during regular hours. Bring 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. For criminal history data compiled at the state level, contact the Virginia State Police.
Sussex County also has an interesting historical note: in 1870, the Virginia General Assembly required every circuit court clerk to maintain a register of persons convicted of felonies or other infamous offenses. An original historical register for Sussex County is archived at the Library of Virginia and accessible at ead.lib.virginia.edu.
State records resources for Sussex County include Sheriff's Office details, crime statistics, and guidance on accessing criminal history records in the county.
Virginia State Police Criminal Record Checks
The Virginia State Police maintains the Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE) with criminal history data for the entire state including Sussex County. To request a record, complete Form SP-167, notarize it, and mail it with a $15.00 fee to: Virginia State Police, Civil and Applicant Records Exchange (CARE), 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, VA 23235. Forms and instructions are at vsp.virginia.gov/criminal-record-check/.
Under Virginia Code ยง 19.2-389, criminal history records are available for lawful public purposes including personal record review. Sex offender registry searches cost $15.00 using Form SP-266, or $20.00 for a combined criminal history and sex offender check. The VSP website at vsp.virginia.gov has details on all available request types.
VADOC Inmate Locator
The Virginia Department of Corrections runs a free public inmate locator at vadoc.virginia.gov/general-public/inmate-locator/. Search by name to find out if someone from Sussex County is currently serving a sentence in a state correctional facility. Basic location and status information is returned. Local jails and federal facilities are not included in this system.
Criminal Records Access in Sussex County
Sussex County court records -- criminal, civil, and family -- are all managed through the circuit court system. The court clerk maintains these records and provides public access to nonconfidential files under Virginia law. Records are presumed open unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Restricted records include juvenile files, sealed cases, adoption records, mental health proceedings, and certain victim-identifying information. Records related to sex offenders are handled separately by law enforcement.
To access records in person, visit the Circuit Court Clerk's office during the 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM business hours. Bring valid photo identification. Written requests must be submitted in writing -- verbal requests are not accepted for official records. Mail requests are processed once payment is received for copy fees. The Clerk reviews each request to determine what may be released under current law.
For mail delivery of standard records, include your contact information, the case details, and payment in the envelope. Official, certified Sussex County records can only be delivered by mail. Non-certified records may be sent by mail, email, or fax depending on the nature of the request and office procedures at the time of your request.
Nearby Counties
Sussex County is in southern Virginia, south of the James River and east of the Nottoway River. These counties border it and each has its own criminal records system.