Criminal records in Chesterfield County, Virginia, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. ChesterfieldCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. The Virginia Court System's case information portal offers statewide lookups, while the Clerk of the Circuit Court and the Chesterfield County Police Records unit handle additional requests directly.
How to Search Criminal Records in Chesterfield
Several methods are available depending on the type of record you need and how quickly you need it.
Online Search Options
- ChesterfieldCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information, including criminal case details from Chesterfield County.
- Virginia Judiciary Case Information System — The statewide portal provides online access to adult criminal and traffic case information across Circuit Courts, General District Courts, and Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Courts. Search by name or case number.
- Chesterfield County Active Warrants — The Chesterfield County Police Department publishes an active warrants list drawn from its Records Management System. Note that information can change quickly and may not always reflect real-time status.
- Virginia Department of Corrections Inmate Locator — Search for individuals currently incarcerated under VADOC custody, including those housed at the Chesterfield County Jail or Chesterfield Diversion Center.
In Person
- Visit the Chesterfield County Courthouse, which houses the Circuit Court Clerk's office, the General District Court, and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. Public access terminals may be available for case lookups.
- The Circuit Court Clerk's criminal records section handles criminal record checks and can assist with case file reviews.
By Mail or Written Request
- Submit a written request to the Clerk of the Circuit Court for copies of criminal case records. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number.
- For a formal criminal history record check, requests can be directed to the Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE), which maintains the statewide criminal history repository. Fingerprint-based checks require submission through an authorized agency.
- Requests for police incident reports or arrest records can be submitted through the Chesterfield County Police information request page. Virginia law restricts who may obtain certain police records.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name of the individual
- Date of birth (recommended)
- Case number (if available)
- Court type (Circuit, General District, or J&DR)
Search Chesterfield Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is faster and more precise. Virginia uses a standardized case number format across its courts.
A typical Virginia case number includes these components:
- Court FIPS code — A numeric code identifying the locality. Chesterfield County's FIPS code is 020.
- Court type designator — Indicates whether the case is in Circuit Court (CRxxxx format for criminal), General District Court, or J&DR Court.
- Year — The two-digit year the case was filed.
- Sequential number — A unique number assigned within that year and court.
For example, a Chesterfield Circuit Court criminal case number might appear as CR20-1234, where "CR" designates a criminal case, "20" is the filing year, and "1234" is the sequential identifier.
Enter the full case number into the Virginia Judiciary's online case information system to pull up charges, hearing dates, and disposition details. At the courthouse, the clerk's office can also retrieve case files using this number.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Chesterfield
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | Virginia Code section the defendant is charged under (e.g., § 18.2-95 for grand larceny) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction — determines which court has jurisdiction |
| Amended charges | Original charges may be reduced or modified through plea agreements or prosecutorial discretion |
| Multiple counts | Each count is listed separately with its own statute code and severity level |
Case Status
- Pending — Case has been filed but not yet resolved
- Active — Proceedings are ongoing; hearings or trial dates may be scheduled
- Disposed — A final outcome has been entered (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.)
- Closed — All obligations fulfilled, including any sentencing requirements
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — Defendant is formally advised of charges and enters a plea
- Preliminary hearing — In felony cases, a General District Court judge determines whether probable cause exists to certify the case to Circuit Court
- Pre-trial — Motions, discovery disputes, and plea negotiations are addressed
- Trial — Bench or jury trial where evidence is presented
- Sentencing — Court imposes penalties after a guilty finding or plea
- Review hearing — Follow-up on compliance with probation, community service, or other conditions
Court Results
- Guilty — Defendant convicted by plea or trial
- Not guilty — Acquitted after trial
- Nolle prosequi — Prosecution declines to pursue the charge (common in Virginia courts)
- Dismissed — Court terminates the case without a conviction
- Deferred disposition — Judgment withheld pending completion of conditions (e.g., first offender programs under § 18.2-251 for drug charges or § 19.2-303.2)
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Chesterfield
Clerk of the Circuit Court
The Chesterfield Circuit Court Clerk's criminal division handles certified copies of criminal case records and criminal record checks.
How to Submit a Request
- In person: Visit the Clerk's office at the Chesterfield County Courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail: Send a written request to the address above. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth, case number (if known), a description of the records needed, and a return address. Include payment by check or money order payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
- FOIA requests: Records may also be requested under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. The county must respond within five business days.
Virginia State Police (Statewide Criminal History)
For a comprehensive Virginia criminal history report, contact the Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange. Name-based checks are available to the public; fingerprint-based checks are required for certain employment and licensing purposes. Forms and instructions are available through the Virginia State Police website.
Required Identification
- Valid government-issued photo ID for in-person requests
- Notarized authorization if requesting records on behalf of another person (for certain record types)
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Chesterfield
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Court record copies (non-certified) | $0.50 per page | Per Virginia Code § 17.1-275 |
| Certified copies of court records | $2.00 for certification + $0.50 per page | Per Virginia Code § 17.1-275 |
| Criminal history record check (name-based, VSP) | $15.00 | Submitted to Virginia State Police CCRE |
| Criminal history record check (fingerprint-based, VSP) | $15.00 state + additional FBI fee if national check requested | Required for certain employment screenings |
| Police records / incident reports | Varies | Fees set by Chesterfield County Police; charges waived for crime victims |
Processing Times
- In-person court record copies: Often available the same day, depending on volume and record availability
- Mail requests to Clerk's office: Typically 5–10 business days
- FOIA requests: Response required within 5 business days under Virginia Code § 2.2-3704; records may take longer to compile
- Virginia State Police name-based checks: Results usually returned within 5–10 business days when submitted by mail; electronic submissions may be faster
- Older or archived records: May require additional time to retrieve from storage
Payment methods accepted at the Clerk's office typically include cash, check, and money order. Contact the office directly to confirm whether credit or debit cards are accepted for your specific request type.