Search Augusta County Police Records

Augusta County police records are kept by the Sheriff's Office in Verona and the Circuit Court Clerk in Staunton. The county covers a large area in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. Police records include arrest reports, criminal incident files, booking information, and court case documents. The Sheriff's Office handles FOIA requests for law enforcement files and tries to provide records at no charge whenever possible. This page covers how to find and request police records from Augusta County agencies.

Augusta County Sheriff's Office Records

The Augusta County Sheriff's Office is the primary source for police records in the county. The office handles arrest records, inmate information, and local criminal history searches. Contact the Sheriff's Office directly if you need copies of arrest reports, incident files, or booking data.

To make a FOIA request for Augusta County police records, provide your name and legal address, the name on the arrest record you are looking for, a reasonably clear description of the records you want, and your preferred format (electronic or hard copy). The Sheriff's Office will reply within five working days. Whenever possible, records are provided at no charge. Free arrest records searches are done through the FOIA process.

Arrest records stay on a person's record permanently, regardless of whether the arrest leads to a conviction. The only way to remove an arrest record from public access is to have it sealed or expunged through the court. Expungement petitions are filed in the circuit court where the case was heard.

How to Request Augusta County Police Records

Augusta County follows Virginia's FOIA rules for records access. Under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3704(B), agencies must respond within five working days. The response will either provide the records, deny with a specific exemption, or request more time. If the agency needs more time, it can take up to seven additional working days.

For court records, visit the Circuit Court Clerk's Office or use the Virginia Judicial System's online case information system. The Augusta County Records Access page provides guidance on identifying the right department for your request. Make sure you submit your FOIA request in writing to the correct office for the fastest turnaround.

Note: The five-day response period starts the day after your request is received, not the day you send it.

Augusta County Criminal Court Records

The Augusta County Circuit Court Clerk's Office is at 1 East Johnson Street, Staunton, VA 24401. Phone: (540) 245-5321. The court handles felony cases, civil cases over $25,000, and family law matters. The General District Court deals with misdemeanors, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings.

You can search Augusta County court records online through two free tools. The Circuit Court Case Information System covers felony and major civil cases. The General District Court Online Case Information System covers misdemeanor and traffic cases. Both are maintained by the Virginia Judicial System and require no account. Search by name or case number to find records from Augusta County courts.

Virginia State Police Criminal History

For a statewide criminal history that covers Augusta County and all other jurisdictions, use the Virginia State Police. Submit a completed and notarized Form SP-167 to the Central Criminal Records Exchange (CARE) at 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, VA 23235. The fee is $15 per request.

Processing takes about 15 business days by mail. The results show arrests and convictions from across the state. This is a name-based search. Fingerprint-based checks are more thorough but limited to specific purposes under state law. You can also use the Virginia State Police FOIA portal to request state police incident reports and other records electronically.

Augusta County Arrest Records

Arrest records in Augusta County are public under Virginia FOIA. Criminal incident information for felony offenses must be disclosed under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3706.1. This includes a general description of the crime, date, location, the investigating officer's identity, and a description of any injuries or property damage.

Some records are exempt from disclosure. Pending criminal investigations, juvenile records, informant identities, and internal affairs files can be withheld. If the Sheriff's Office denies your request, they must cite the specific exemption. You can appeal through the circuit court or the Virginia FOIA Council.

The independent cities of Staunton and Waynesboro are within Augusta County's geographic area but have their own police departments and court systems. If an arrest took place in one of those cities, contact that city's police department directly rather than the Augusta County Sheriff's Office.

Below is a screenshot of the Augusta County Records Access page, which provides guidance on submitting public records requests.

Use this resource to identify the correct department for your records request.

Augusta County Crash and Incident Reports

Crash reports for wrecks in Augusta County are filed on Form FR-300 by the Sheriff's Office or by Virginia State Police. The deputy or trooper turns the form in to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles within 24 hours of the crash. To get a copy of the report, file Form CRD-93 with DMV. The fee is $8 per report. Drivers, owners, insurers, and lawyers tied to the crash may ask. Augusta County deputies often keep a local copy with photos and witness statements that you can ask for through FOIA.

For incidents on Interstate 64 and Interstate 81, the State Police usually take the lead. You can ask either agency. The state police have their own FOIA portal that may be quicker than the local route for those cases.

Statewide Tools and CCRE

The Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE) is a fingerprint-based system run by Virginia State Police. CCRE holds Augusta County arrest data along with all other Virginia arrest files. Booking prints from the Middle River Regional Jail flow into CCRE within hours of arrest. The new OCIS 2.0 case system ties Augusta County circuit and district court files into the statewide judicial database.

If a FOIA dispute comes up with the Augusta County Sheriff's Office or another county office, the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council can help. Call (804) 698-1810 or email foiacouncil@dls.virginia.gov. The council gives free advice. It does not have power to force release, but its written opinions carry weight in court. Most disputes get worked out at this stage.

For expungement of an Augusta County arrest, file a petition in the Augusta County Circuit Court under Virginia Code § 19.2-392.2. This applies if you were found not guilty or had charges dropped. The court schedules a hearing. If granted, the order seals the arrest from public view but does not erase it from CCRE.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Augusta County. Each has its own Sheriff's Office and Circuit Court for police records.