Albemarle County Criminal Records
What Is Albemarle County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Albemarle County constitute official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Virginia Code § 19.2-389, which establishes the framework for criminal history record information in the Commonwealth.
Criminal records encompass several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of apprehensions by law enforcement agencies, including the Albemarle County Police Department, which may not necessarily result in charges or convictions
- Conviction Records: Official documentation of guilty verdicts or pleas in criminal proceedings
- Felony Records: Documentation of serious offenses punishable by imprisonment of more than one year
- Misdemeanor Records: Documentation of less serious offenses typically punishable by fines or imprisonment of less than one year
- Adult Records: Criminal proceedings involving individuals 18 years or older, which are generally accessible to the public
- Juvenile Records: Proceedings involving minors under 18, which are typically sealed and confidential under Virginia Code § 16.1-301
- Active Warrants: Current orders for arrest issued by judicial authorities
- Historical Records: Documentation of past criminal proceedings, including dispositions
Multiple agencies maintain these records within Albemarle County:
Albemarle County Sheriff's Office
411 E. High Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
434-972-4001
Albemarle County Sheriff's Office
Albemarle Circuit Court
501 E. Jefferson Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
434-972-4083
Albemarle Circuit Court
Virginia State Police
Criminal Records Division
P.O. Box 27472
Richmond, VA 23261
804-674-2000
Virginia State Police Criminal Records
Comprehensive criminal records typically include documentation of charges, arraignments, plea agreements, trial proceedings, sentencing information, and probation or parole status. The maintenance and accessibility of these records are governed by both state statutes and local regulations.
Are Criminal Records Public In Albemarle County
Criminal records in Albemarle County are generally considered public information in accordance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), specifically § 2.2-3706, which addresses access to criminal records. This statute establishes that "Criminal incident information, including the date, time, location, and general description of the crime, shall be open to the public."
However, public accessibility varies by record type:
- Adult Conviction Records: Fully accessible to the public through the courts
- Court Proceedings: Open to public observation and documentation unless specifically sealed by judicial order
- Ongoing Investigations: May be exempt from disclosure under § 2.2-3706(B)(1), which protects "Information relating to the identity of any individual, other than a juvenile, who is arrested and charged, and the status of the charge or arrest"
- Sealed Cases: Not accessible to the public pursuant to court orders
- Juvenile Records: Protected under Virginia Code § 16.1-301, which states "The court shall require all law-enforcement agencies to take special precautions to ensure that law-enforcement records concerning a juvenile are protected against disclosure to any unauthorized person"
- Expunged Records: Removed from public access pursuant to Virginia Code § 19.2-392.2
The Virginia FOIA further stipulates that certain criminal record information may be withheld if disclosure would "jeopardize the safety or privacy of any person" or interfere with ongoing law enforcement proceedings. Additionally, records related to victims of certain crimes, particularly those of a sensitive nature, may have restricted access to protect victim privacy.
Members of the public seeking access to criminal records in Albemarle County must follow established procedures for record requests, which may include formal applications, identification verification, and payment of applicable fees as permitted under state law.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Albemarle County in 2026
Members of the public may access criminal records in Albemarle County through several established channels. The following procedures are currently in effect for obtaining criminal record information:
In-Person Requests at the Circuit Court:
- Visit the Albemarle Circuit Court Clerk's Office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM).
- Complete a records request form, providing the subject's full name and, if possible, date of birth.
- Present valid government-issued photo identification.
- Pay applicable search fees ($8.00 per name search).
- Court staff will conduct the search and provide available public records.
Albemarle Circuit Court
501 E. Jefferson Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
434-972-4083
Albemarle Circuit Court
Written Requests by Mail:
- Submit a written request to the Albemarle Circuit Court Clerk's Office.
- Include the subject's full name, date of birth (if known), and the specific time period to be searched.
- Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for response.
- Include a check or money order for applicable fees payable to "Clerk of Circuit Court."
- Allow 7-10 business days for processing.
Virginia State Police Criminal History:
For comprehensive criminal history reports:
- Submit a Criminal History Record Request form SP-167 to the Virginia State Police.
- Include fingerprints on form FD-258 if requesting your own record.
- Provide required identification documentation.
- Include the statutory fee of $15 per search (subject to change).
- Submit to:
Virginia State Police
Central Criminal Records Exchange
P.O. Box 85076
Richmond, VA 23261-5076
804-674-2000
Virginia State Police Criminal Records
For Law Enforcement Records:
- Submit a FOIA request to the Albemarle County Police Department.
- Specify the incident number, date, location, or name of individuals involved.
- Allow up to five business days for a response as required by Virginia Code § 2.2-3704.
Albemarle County Police Department
1600 5th Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
434-296-5807
Albemarle County Police Department
Requestors should note that certain records may require court orders for access, particularly those involving juveniles, sealed cases, or expunged records.
How To Find Criminal Records in Albemarle County Online?
Albemarle County offers several digital platforms for accessing criminal records information. These online resources provide varying levels of detail and accessibility:
Virginia Judiciary Case Information System:
The primary online portal for court records in Albemarle County is the Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System. This system provides:
- Access to Circuit Court criminal case information
- Search capabilities by name, case number, or hearing date
- Case status, charges, hearing dates, and disposition information
- Document filing dates and types (actual documents not viewable online)
To use this system:
- Select "Albemarle Circuit Court" from the dropdown menu
- Enter search criteria (last name, first name)
- No registration is required for basic searches
- No fees apply for basic case information
Albemarle County Sheriff's Inmate Search:
The Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail maintains an online inmate lookup system that provides:
- Current inmate roster information
- Booking photos
- Charges
- Bond information
- Scheduled release dates (when available)
This system updates daily and requires no registration or fees.
Virginia Department of Corrections Inmate Locator:
For individuals sentenced to state prison, the Virginia Department of Corrections Inmate Locator provides:
- Current location of inmates in state custody
- Basic demographic information
- Scheduled release dates
- Security level
Virginia Sex Offender Registry:
The Virginia Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry maintained by the Virginia State Police allows searches for:
- Registered sex offenders residing in Albemarle County
- Photographs and physical descriptions
- Registered addresses
- Conviction information
Limitations of Online Access:
Users should be aware of several important limitations:
- Complete criminal history reports are not available online
- Juvenile records are not accessible through public online portals
- Sealed or expunged records do not appear in online searches
- Some case details may only be available through in-person requests
- Older records (generally pre-2000) may have limited online availability
- Document images (such as arrest warrants, indictments, and court orders) typically require in-person requests
For comprehensive criminal history information, individuals may need to submit formal requests through the methods outlined in the previous section.
Can You Search Albemarle County Criminal Records for Free?
Pursuant to Virginia law, certain criminal record information in Albemarle County is available for free public inspection. Virginia Code § 2.2-3704(F) states that "A public body may make reasonable charges not to exceed its actual cost incurred in accessing, duplicating, supplying, or searching for the requested records." This provision allows for free inspection of records while permitting charges for copies or extensive searches.
Free In-Person Inspection Locations:
Albemarle Circuit Court Clerk's Office
501 E. Jefferson Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
434-972-4083
Albemarle Circuit Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Members of the public may visit the clerk's office to inspect public court records at no charge using public access terminals. While inspection is free, printing fees apply ($0.50 per page).
Albemarle General District Court
501 E. Jefferson Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
434-972-4007
Albemarle General District Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Free Online Resources:
Several online portals provide free access to criminal record information:
-
Virginia Judiciary Case Information System - Provides free access to basic case information for Albemarle Circuit Court cases.
-
Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail Inmate Search - Offers free access to current inmate information.
-
Virginia Sex Offender Registry - Provides free public access to registered sex offender information.
-
Virginia Department of Corrections Inmate Locator - Offers free searches for individuals in state custody.
Fee-Based Services:
While inspection of many records is free, certain services do incur fees:
- Certified copies of court records: $3.00 per document
- Criminal history reports from Virginia State Police: $15.00 per name
- Extensive record searches requiring staff time: Fees vary based on time required
- Copies of police reports: $5.00-$25.00 depending on report type
These fees are established pursuant to Virginia Code § 17.1-275, which authorizes clerks to assess fees for various court services.
What's Included in a Albemarle County Criminal Record?
Criminal records in Albemarle County typically contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The content of these records is standardized in accordance with Virginia Code § 19.2-389, which governs criminal history record information. Standard components include:
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Mugshot/booking photograph
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency (e.g., Albemarle County Police Department)
- Booking number
- Charges filed at arrest
- Bail or bond information
- Detention facility
Court Case Information:
- Case number
- Court of jurisdiction (Circuit, General District, or Juvenile & Domestic Relations)
- Filing date
- Statutory charges (Virginia Code sections)
- Classification of offenses (felony class or misdemeanor class)
- Plea information
- Defense attorney information
- Prosecutor information
Disposition Information:
- Verdict (guilty, not guilty, nolle prosequi, dismissed)
- Conviction date
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration period
- Probation terms
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Special conditions (treatment programs, community service)
- Appeal information
- Probation/parole status
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Protective orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI offenses
- Traffic violations (if criminal in nature)
- Pending charges
- Probation violations
- Post-conviction relief petitions
The comprehensiveness of records may vary based on the age of the case, the maintaining agency, and the disposition of the charges. Records maintained by the Albemarle County Police Department may contain investigative details not included in court records, while court records maintained by the Albemarle Circuit Court contain official judicial proceedings and outcomes.
Certain information may be redacted from public versions of criminal records, including Social Security numbers, victim information in sensitive cases, and information protected by specific privacy statutes.
How Long Does Albemarle County Keep Criminal Records?
Albemarle County maintains criminal records in accordance with the Library of Virginia Records Retention and Disposition Schedule, which establishes mandatory retention periods for various document types. These schedules are authorized under Virginia Code § 42.1-86, which requires the systematic retention and disposition of public records.
Court Records Retention:
- Felony Case Files: Permanently maintained for Class 1-4 felonies; 20 years after final disposition for Class 5-6 felonies
- Misdemeanor Case Files: 10 years after final disposition
- Traffic Case Files: 3 years after final disposition for criminal traffic; 1 year for non-criminal infractions
- Court Order Books: Permanently maintained
- Indexes to Court Cases: Permanently maintained
- Grand Jury Records: 10 years after final report
Law Enforcement Records Retention:
- Arrest Reports: 75 years from date of arrest
- Criminal Investigation Files:
- Felonies: 75 years from date of final disposition
- Misdemeanors: 5 years from date of final disposition
- Unsolved cases: Permanently maintained
- Incident Reports: 3 years after date of incident
- Fingerprint Cards: 75 years
- Photographs/Mugshots: 75 years
- Sex Offender Registration Information: Permanently maintained
Corrections Records Retention:
- Inmate Files: 3 years after release from local custody
- Jail Registers: Permanently maintained
- Commitment Records: 3 years after release
Special Circumstances:
- Expunged Records: Removed from public access and destroyed or sealed pursuant to court order under Virginia Code § 19.2-392.2
- Juvenile Records: May be destroyed when individual reaches 19 years of age if five years have elapsed since last hearing, except for serious offenses which are retained longer
- Death Penalty Cases: All records permanently maintained
It is important to note that while physical records may be destroyed after their retention period expires, electronic indices or summary information may be maintained for longer periods. Additionally, records that have been microfilmed or digitized may be maintained in those formats after the destruction of original paper documents.
The Library of Virginia serves as the final repository for many permanent court records after their active use period at the local level has concluded.