Find Criminal History in Westmoreland County
Westmoreland County criminal history records are on file at the Circuit Court Clerk's office at 175 Polk Street in Montross and through the Virginia State Police's statewide criminal records database. The county sits within the 15th Judicial Circuit of Virginia. You can search criminal case records online through the state's free judicial portals, visit the clerk's office in person, or submit a written request to Clerk Hon. Anne B. Garner for copies of specific case files.
Westmoreland County Overview
Westmoreland County Circuit Court
The Westmoreland County Circuit Court is part of the 15th Judicial Circuit of Virginia. Clerk of Court Hon. Anne B. Garner manages the office at 175 Polk Street, P.O. Box 307, Montross, VA 22520. Phone: (804) 493-0108. Fax: (804) 493-0393. Email: agarner@vacourts.gov. Office hours run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, though recording of documents closes at 4:30 PM. The Circuit Court is the primary handler of felony criminal cases, major civil matters, family law, and probate in Westmoreland County.
The Clerk's office records deeds, issues and records marriage licenses, serves as probate judge, maintains court files, prepares jury lists, and issues summons and court processes. All civil, family, and criminal cases in Westmoreland County come through the circuit court system. The circuit court clerk is the custodian of all case files and criminal records for the county. Land records kept by this office date back to 1653, making it one of the older record repositories in the state.
| Office | Westmoreland County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Hon. Anne B. Garner |
| Address | 175 Polk Street, P.O. Box 307 Montross, VA 22520 |
| Phone | (804) 493-0108 |
| Fax | (804) 493-0393 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | vacourts.gov |
The Westmoreland County Circuit Court page on the Virginia Judicial System website lists clerk contact details and information on the 15th Judicial Circuit.
General District Court in Westmoreland County
The Westmoreland County General District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and civil disputes. Misdemeanor convictions and traffic offense records from this court contribute to the overall criminal history picture in Westmoreland County. Cases that are appealed from the General District Court move to the Circuit Court for a full hearing. For case information, visit the court's page at vacourts.gov.
The General District Court page on vacourts.gov provides contact information and describes how misdemeanor criminal matters are handled in Westmoreland County.
General District Court records for Westmoreland County are searchable online at no cost. Use the General District Courts case portal and enter a party name, case number, or hearing date. This tool covers traffic and misdemeanor records across Virginia's district court system.
Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office
The Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office is at 175 Polk Street, P.O. Box 305, Montross VA 22520. Phone: (804) 493-8066. Fax: (804) 493-8715. Sheriff C.O. Balderson leads the office. The Sheriff maintains arrest records for all criminal incidents in the county and holds the public sex offender registry. All sex offenders in Virginia -- including those living, working, attending school, or held in facilities within Westmoreland County -- must be listed on this register, which is available to the public. To request arrest records, contact the Sheriff's Office in writing with a valid photo ID.
Search Criminal History Records in Westmoreland County
Virginia's online court systems give free access to Westmoreland County criminal case records. The Online Case Information System (OCIS) lets you search criminal and traffic cases statewide. The General District Court portal handles misdemeanor and traffic records specifically. The Virginia Courts Case Information System covers both district and circuit court records and allows you to narrow by county.
For in-person access, go to the Clerk's office at 175 Polk Street in Montross during business hours (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM). Photo ID is required. All requests for records must be put in writing. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies carry an additional fee. Records can also be sent by mail, email, or fax once payment is received -- though official Westmoreland County records may only be delivered by mail. Bring your case identification details to speed the process.
This Westmoreland County state records overview covers sheriff contact details, crime statistics, and information on accessing public records in the county.
Westmoreland County criminal case records include arrest warrants, indictments, trial transcripts, sentencing orders, and case dispositions. The circuit court maintains these files going back through the county's long history. Civil records, probate documents, and land records are also stored at the clerk's office on Polk Street. Note that in-person searches during business hours are the most direct way to see the full contents of a case file.
Virginia State Police Criminal Record Checks
The Virginia State Police holds criminal history records from across the state, including Westmoreland County, through the Central Criminal Records Exchange. To request a check, complete Form SP-167, have it notarized, 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. Instructions and forms are at vsp.virginia.gov/criminal-record-check/. Visit vsp.virginia.gov for more on the VSP's criminal records services.
Under Virginia Code section 19.2-389, CCRE criminal history records are accessible for lawful public purposes. A combined check covering both criminal history and the sex offender registry costs $20.00. Sex offender registry searches using Form SP-266 cost $15.00.
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 Westmoreland County is currently serving time in a Virginia state correctional facility. The tool returns basic location and status information. Local jails and federal facilities are not covered by this search tool.
Criminal Records Access in Westmoreland County
Under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, the general public in Westmoreland County can access all public records that are not specifically exempted by law. Office hours for records requests are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Photo identification is required -- driver's licenses and state IDs are both accepted. All requests for records must be submitted in writing. The circuit court clerk is the primary custodian of Westmoreland County court records including criminal case files.
Certain types of records are not publicly available. Juvenile records are sealed by default. Grand jury proceedings remain confidential. Medical, mental health, and adoption records carry specific legal protections. Sealed or expunged criminal records are not accessible without a court order. Records containing personally identifiable financial information may be partially redacted before release.
Westmoreland County land records at the Circuit Court Clerk's office at 175 Polk Street date back to 1653. You may view and copy these records during business hours. The county's land records site at westmoreland-county.org/resources/records provides background on these historical records and how to access them. While land records are separate from criminal records, the same clerk's office maintains both.
Nearby Counties
Westmoreland County is on the Northern Neck peninsula in eastern Virginia. These bordering counties each have their own court records systems and clerk offices.