Chesapeake County Criminal Records
What Is Chesapeake County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Chesapeake, Virginia are official government documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, from initial law enforcement contact through final court disposition. These records are generated and maintained by multiple agencies across the city and commonwealth, and they encompass a broad range of document types depending on the stage of the legal process involved.
A fundamental distinction exists between arrest records and conviction records. An arrest record documents that law enforcement took an individual into custody based on probable cause; it does not indicate guilt. A conviction record, by contrast, reflects a formal finding of guilt entered by a court of law. Similarly, felony records document offenses punishable by more than one year of incarceration, while misdemeanor records cover lesser offenses carrying shorter sentences. Under Virginia law, juvenile records are generally sealed and not accessible to the general public, whereas adult criminal records are subject to disclosure under applicable open records provisions. Active warrants represent current, unserved court orders authorizing arrest, while historical records document past proceedings that have been resolved.
The principal agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Chesapeake include:
- Chesapeake Sheriff's Office — maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail custody data
- Chesapeake Circuit Court and General District Court — maintain case filings, dispositions, sentencing orders, and court proceedings
- Virginia State Police — maintains the Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE), the statewide repository for criminal history
- Chesapeake Police Department — generates incident and arrest reports at the local level
Records maintained across these agencies typically include charges filed, arraignment dates, pleas entered, trial proceedings, sentencing details, and probation or parole conditions. The Chesapeake Circuit Court serves as the primary repository for felony case records within the city. Criminal records in Virginia are defined and governed under Virginia Code § 19.2-389, which establishes the framework for dissemination of criminal history record information.
Chesapeake Circuit Court 307 Albemarle Drive, Suite 300A, Chesapeake, VA 23322 (757) 382-3000 Chesapeake Circuit Court
Chesapeake Sheriff's Office 100 Oak Grove Road, Chesapeake, VA 23320 (757) 382-6161 Chesapeake Sheriff's Office — Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services
Are Criminal Records Public In Chesapeake County
Criminal records in Chesapeake, Virginia are generally accessible to members of the public under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at Virginia Code § 2.2-3700 et seq. This statute establishes a presumption of openness for all public records held by government bodies, including law enforcement agencies and courts, and affirms that the policy of the Commonwealth is that government records shall be available to citizens.
Under current law, the following categories of criminal records are generally available to the public:
- Adult conviction records, including felony and misdemeanor dispositions
- Court case filings, hearing dates, and final judgments in Circuit and General District Courts
- Booking and custody information for individuals held in the Chesapeake City Jail
- Sex offender registry information maintained by the Virginia State Police
The following categories are restricted from public disclosure:
- Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations, where disclosure would compromise law enforcement operations
- Juvenile delinquency records, which are sealed by statute under Virginia Code § 16.1-305
- Expunged records, which are legally removed from public access upon court order
- Certain mental health and medical records associated with criminal proceedings
- Intelligence and confidential informant information
Members of the public seeking adult conviction histories may submit requests directly to the Virginia State Police or access court records through the Chesapeake Circuit Court clerk's office during regular business hours.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Chesapeake County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain criminal records in Chesapeake through several official channels, depending on the type of record sought and the level of detail required. The following steps outline the primary methods currently available:
Step 1 — Identify the Record Type Needed Determine whether the search involves court case records, arrest and booking records, or a comprehensive criminal history background check. Each record type is maintained by a different agency.
Step 2 — Search Court Records Online or In Person The Virginia Judiciary's online case information system allows members of the public to search civil and criminal case records statewide. For in-person access, the Chesapeake Circuit Court Clerk's Office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:45 PM.
Chesapeake Circuit Court Clerk's Office 307 Albemarle Drive, Suite 300A, Chesapeake, VA 23322 (757) 382-3000 Chesapeake Circuit Court
Step 3 — Request a Criminal History Background Check Comprehensive criminal history records are maintained by the Virginia State Police through the Central Criminal Records Exchange. Individuals may request their own record or, for authorized purposes, submit a third-party request.
Virginia State Police — Records Management Division 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, VA 23235 (804) 674-2000 Virginia State Police
Step 4 — Contact the Chesapeake Sheriff's Office for Jail Records Booking and custody records for individuals held at the Chesapeake City Jail are maintained by the Sheriff's Office. Requests may be submitted in person or by written request.
Step 5 — Submit a FOIA Request if Necessary If records are not available through standard channels, members of the public may submit a formal Virginia FOIA request to the relevant agency. Agencies are required to respond within five business days under current law.
How To Find Criminal Records in Chesapeake County Online?
Several official online portals currently provide access to criminal and court records for Chesapeake, Virginia. Each portal contains distinct record types and has varying search capabilities.
Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System (OCIS) The Virginia Judiciary's case information system allows members of the public to search criminal case records by name, case number, or hearing date across all Virginia courts, including the Chesapeake Circuit Court and General District Court. The system contains case numbers, charge descriptions, hearing dates, and dispositions. No registration is required for basic searches.
- Access at: courts.state.va.us
Chesapeake Circuit Court Case Records The Chesapeake Circuit Court maintains felony case records accessible through the statewide OCIS portal. Records include felony indictments, pleas, trial outcomes, and sentencing orders.
Virginia Department of Corrections Inmate Locator The Virginia Department of Corrections inmate locator allows members of the public to search for individuals currently incarcerated in state correctional facilities, including those with cases originating in Chesapeake. The tool provides current facility location, projected release date, and offense information.
Virginia Sex Offender Registry The Virginia State Police maintains a publicly searchable sex offender registry at the state level, which includes registrants residing in Chesapeake.
Records available exclusively through in-person requests include sealed case documents, older paper-based court filings, and certain law enforcement incident reports not yet digitized.
Can You Search Chesapeake County Criminal Records for Free?
Members of the public may inspect many categories of criminal records in Chesapeake at no cost. Under Virginia Code § 2.2-3704, public bodies are required to make records available for inspection and copying, and inspection itself is generally provided without charge. Fees may apply for printed copies or certified documents.
The following resources are currently available at no cost:
- Virginia Judiciary OCIS — Free online search of court case records statewide, including Chesapeake Circuit and General District Court cases
- Virginia DOC Inmate Locator — Free search of current state correctional custody records via the Virginia Department of Corrections inmate locator
- In-Person Court Record Inspection — Members of the public may inspect court records at the Chesapeake Circuit Court Clerk's Office at no charge during public counter hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–3:45 PM)
- Virginia Sex Offender Registry — Free public search available through the Virginia State Police website
Fees are typically assessed for the following:
- Certified copies of court documents (fees set by statute)
- Printed copies of records exceeding a threshold number of pages
- Comprehensive criminal history background checks processed through the Virginia State Police CCRE
What's Included in a Chesapeake County Criminal Record?
A complete criminal record in Chesapeake may contain information drawn from multiple agencies and stages of the criminal justice process. The specific contents vary depending on the source of the record.
Identifying Information
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color)
- Photograph (mugshot) taken at booking
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID) and FBI number, where assigned
Arrest and Booking Information
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency (Chesapeake Police Department or Sheriff's Office)
- Booking number and jail facility (Chesapeake City Jail)
- Charges filed at arrest
- Bail or bond amount and conditions
Court Case Information
- Case number and court of jurisdiction (Circuit or General District Court)
- Filing date and scheduled hearing dates
- Charges listed by statute, including felony or misdemeanor classification
- Plea entered (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
- Attorney of record and prosecuting authority
Disposition Information
- Verdict and conviction date, if applicable
- Sentencing details, including incarceration length, fines, restitution, and probation or parole conditions
- Appeals filed and outcomes
- Expungement orders, if granted
Additional Record Elements
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status
- DUI/DWI convictions and traffic-related criminal offenses
- Pending charges not yet adjudicated
How Long Does Chesapeake County Keep Criminal Records?
Virginia law establishes retention schedules for criminal justice records maintained by courts, law enforcement agencies, and correctional facilities. Under the Virginia Public Records Act, Virginia Code § 42.1-76 et seq., all public records must be retained in accordance with schedules approved by the Library of Virginia.
Current retention periods for principal record categories include:
- Felony conviction records — Retained permanently by the Virginia State Police CCRE and by the courts of record
- Misdemeanor conviction records — Retained for a minimum of 10 years; permanent retention applies in many jurisdictions
- Arrest records without conviction — Retained for a minimum of 3 years; subject to expungement upon court order under Virginia Code § 19.2-392.2
- Court case files (Circuit Court) — Permanent retention for felony cases; General District Court records retained for 10 years following final disposition
- Jail booking records — Retained for a minimum of 5 years by the Chesapeake Sheriff's Office
- Juvenile records — Retained until the subject reaches age 19 or 5 years after the last hearing, whichever is later, and are then eligible for destruction under Virginia Code § 16.1-306
The Library of Virginia publishes the official Records Retention and Disposition Schedule for courts and law enforcement agencies, which governs all localities including Chesapeake. Agencies are required to comply with these schedules and may not destroy records prior to the expiration of the applicable retention period.