Portsmouth Police Records

Portsmouth police records encompass arrest reports, incident files, crash data, and criminal court documents held by the Portsmouth Police Department and the city's Circuit Court. Located along the Elizabeth River across from Norfolk, Portsmouth is an independent city that runs its own law enforcement and judicial system. Requesting police records here means going through the city's FOIA process, the police department records division, or the JustFOIA online portal. This page explains how to find and request police records in Portsmouth, what to expect in terms of fees and response times, and where to search for court cases online.

Portsmouth Police Department Records

The Portsmouth Police Department provides law enforcement services for the city and handles records requests through its Records Division. The department maintains a FOIA portal and accepts email and fax requests for police records. If you need a copy of a police report, an accident file, or arrest information, the Records Division is your first stop. They process requests on regular business days during normal office hours.

You can email FOIA requests directly to ppdpio@portsmouthva.gov or fax them to the Records Division. For all other questions about police records, call the main number. The city also runs a JustFOIA portal where you can submit and track FOIA requests online. This portal is used for both police records and general city records.

Note: For police-related and non-emergency issues in Portsmouth, the general contact number is (757) 393-8814.

Portsmouth Police Records FOIA Process

Under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Virginia Code Section 2.2-3700 et seq., all public records in Portsmouth are presumed open. You can request records by mail, email, fax, in person, or through the online portal. FOIA does not require a written request, but it helps to put your request in writing so both sides are clear about what you need. The city must respond within five working days of getting your request.

The city's FOIA portal at portsmouthva.gov provides general information about submitting records requests. Each city department can serve as its own FOIA officer. For police records, go through the police department directly. For court records, contact the Clerk of Court. The city charges reasonable fees for copies and search time, not to exceed actual costs incurred under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3704.

If the estimated cost of fulfilling your request is more than $200, the city may ask for a deposit before beginning the work. Exemptions that commonly apply to police records include criminal investigative files, identities of victims and witnesses, and records related to ongoing investigations. Under Section 2.2-3706, the release of certain law enforcement records is discretionary.

Crash Reports in Portsmouth

Crash reports are among the most frequently requested police records in Portsmouth. If you were involved in a car accident in the city, you can request a copy of the police crash report through the Records Division. Send an email to ppdpio@portsmouthva.gov or fax your request to (757) 393-8073. Include the date of the accident, the location, and your name as it appears on the report.

Crash reports from Virginia State Police investigations are handled differently. Those go through the Virginia DMV. Send a written request or Form CRD 93 to the DMV Custom Records Work Center, Room 514, P.O. Box 27412, Richmond, VA 23269. The cost is $8 per report. Under Virginia Code Section 46.2-379, crash reports are confidential for accident prevention purposes, but the DMV can release basic details like date, time, location, and the names of drivers and witnesses.

Portsmouth Circuit Court Records

The Portsmouth Circuit Court sits in the 6th Judicial Circuit. It handles felony criminal cases, civil cases over $25,000, and family law matters. Court records are available in person at the clerk's office and through the state's online search systems. The Virginia Circuit Court Case Information System is a free tool for searching Portsmouth circuit court cases by name, case number, or hearing date.

Misdemeanor cases, traffic violations, and preliminary felony hearings go through the Portsmouth General District Court. Those records are on the General District Court search system. Both systems are maintained by the Virginia Judicial System and are updated regularly. Copies of court records cost $0.50 per page, with an extra $2.00 for certified copies, as set by Virginia Code Section 17.1-208.

Virginia State Police Background Checks

A search limited to Portsmouth police records only shows local data. For a statewide check, use the Virginia State Police. Submit Form SP-167 to the Central Criminal Records Exchange. The fee is $15. The form must be notarized before you mail it to Virginia State Police, CARE, 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, VA 23235. Processing takes about 15 business days.

Under Virginia Code Section 19.2-389, criminal history records go only to authorized recipients. You can request your own record, or an attorney can request it with a notarized release. The general public cannot pull someone else's criminal history through this system. For state police incident reports, the Virginia State Police FOIA portal handles those requests separately.

Portsmouth Police Records and Expungement

If you were acquitted or had charges dismissed in Portsmouth, you can petition to have those records expunged. The process is set out in Virginia Code Section 19.2-392.2. You file a petition with the circuit court, and a judge determines whether keeping the record creates manifest injustice. Virginia also runs automatic sealing of certain records under Section 19.2-392.6. Eligible offenses include some misdemeanors and deferred dismissals.

The Virginia State Police runs a monthly check for records that qualify for automatic sealing. Lists go to circuit court clerks for processing. You do not need to file anything for this to happen. The Virginia FOIA Council is available if you have questions about accessing sealed or expunged records.

Other Search Tools for Portsmouth

The Virginia Sex Offender Registry is searchable by name or location and covers all of Virginia. The Department of Corrections offender locator shows inmate locations, charges, and projected release dates. VINELink lets victims track custody status changes. These are all free tools that add to a local police records search in Portsmouth.

The Virginia State Bar runs a Lawyer Referral Service at 1-800-552-7977. If you need legal help with a records request or expungement petition in Portsmouth, that is a good place to start. The Virginia Legal Aid Society also provides free assistance to qualifying residents.

The screenshot below shows the Virginia Courts online case search portal, which covers Portsmouth Circuit Court criminal and civil cases.

This free tool lets you look up felony cases, hearing dates, and case dispositions for Portsmouth.

Nearby Cities

These independent cities are near Portsmouth. Each has its own police force and courts handling police records.