Franklin County Police Records
Franklin County police records are managed by the Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 70 E Court St in Rocky Mount. The office handles criminal investigations, patrols, and FOIA requests for law enforcement records. Franklin County also uses an online FOIA portal, making it easier to submit and track records requests. This page covers how to search police records, what is public, and how to access court and state databases that hold related case information.
County Seat: Rocky Mount
FOIA Response Time: 5 business days (up to 12 with extension)
State Background Check: $15 via VSP Form SP-167
Circuit Court: 22nd Judicial Circuit
Franklin County Sheriff Contact
| Office | Franklin County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 70 E Court St, Rocky Mount, VA 24151 |
| Phone | (540) 483-3000 |
| FOIA Contact | County Administrator's Office, 275 S Main St, Suite 203, Rocky Mount, VA 24151, Phone: (540) 483-3005 |
How to Get Franklin County Police Records
Police records in Franklin County are public under Virginia's FOIA, Va. Code § 2.2-3700 et seq. The county has an online FOIA portal through the Franklin County FOIA page, which lets you submit and track requests electronically. You can also write to the Sheriff's Office or the County Administrator's Office at 275 S Main St, Suite 203, Rocky Mount, VA 24151.
The deadline for a response is five working days. Extensions of up to seven days are allowed when needed, for a total of 12 working days. For criminal investigative files, § 2.2-3706 provides up to 65 working days. Copy fees and research time charges may apply. Ask for a cost estimate before the work begins.
Denials must state the specific exemption. You can appeal to the courts or the FOIA Advisory Council at 1-866-448-4100.
What Franklin County Records Are Public
Criminal incident information for felony offenses is always public under § 2.2-3706. This includes a description of the crime, date and location, investigating officer, and any injuries or property damage. Adult arrest photographs are public records. Completed unattended death investigation records must be released when requested.
Active criminal investigative files can be withheld at the sheriff's discretion. That covers complaints, memos, correspondence, evidence, and anything else tied to an ongoing investigation. Confidential informant identities are always protected. Records that could endanger witnesses or harm an active case also stay out of public view.
Note: Once a case closes, you can file a new FOIA request for additional records that may have been withheld during the investigation.
Franklin County Circuit Court Records
The Franklin County Circuit Court is located at 275 S Main St, Rocky Mount, VA 24151. Phone: (540) 483-3065. The court is part of the 22nd Judicial Circuit and handles felony cases, civil matters over $25,000, and family law cases. Court records provide the legal outcome of police investigations, including charging documents, plea agreements, and sentencing orders.
Online case search tools are free. The Circuit Court Case Information System lets you search by name, case number, or hearing date. The General District Court portal handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, and felony preliminary hearings. Copy fees are $0.50 per page, with certified copies running an extra $2.00.
State Criminal History Checks
The Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange holds statewide criminal history data. Submit Form SP-167 with a $15 fee and notarized signature. Processing takes 12 to 15 business days. The report covers all Virginia arrests, pending charges, dismissals, and convictions.
Add a sex offender registry search for a combined cost of $20. Violent offenders can be searched free on the Sex Offender Registry website. Form SP-266 handles full registry checks at $15 per name. For national fingerprint-based searches, Form SP-325 costs $27 for employment and $20 for volunteers.
Fingerprinting is available at VSP offices for $10 per card. Walk-in hours run 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Two forms of identification are needed.
Privacy Rules for Police Records
Virginia Code § 19.2-389 governs who receives criminal history from the Central Criminal Records Exchange. Over 50 categories of recipients are authorized, including law enforcement, schools, hospitals, social services, and individuals checking their own history.
An important safeguard exists for old arrests. If 12 months pass from an arrest date with no disposition and no active prosecution, that arrest record cannot be shared with non-criminal justice agencies. This keeps unresolved arrest data from causing ongoing harm.
Expungement of police and court records is available under § 19.2-392.2. You must petition the Franklin County Circuit Court and show manifest injustice. The Commonwealth's Attorney gets notice and can object. Only dismissed charges and acquittals are eligible.
More Franklin County Resources
Crash reports for incidents in Franklin County are available from the Virginia DMV at $8 per copy. Submit Form CRD 93 by mail or visit any DMV office. The DOC Offender Locator shows inmate information statewide, and VINE sends alerts about custody status changes.
The Department of Criminal Justice Services provides victim support and law enforcement training oversight. Contact them at (804) 786-3414 in Richmond.
Franklin County's FOIA procedures page explains how to submit records requests online.
The county uses an online FOIA portal for submitting and tracking requests.
Franklin County Jail Records
Franklin County inmates are held at the Western Virginia Regional Jail or the local Franklin County Adult Detention Center. The jail tracks intake data, booking photos, charges, and housing details. Booking sheets list name, age, charge, arrest date, and arresting deputy. Mugshots of adults are public records under Virginia FOIA. The state-level VADOC Offender Locator shows people held in state prisons after sentencing.
To find a Franklin County inmate, call the jail records desk during business hours or check the regional jail roster online. The jail does not give out medical info, mental health files, or visitor lists. For older booking files, send a written FOIA request to the Sheriff's Office at 70 E Court St, Rocky Mount, VA 24151.
Franklin County Online Case Search
The state runs a free case search portal called Online Case Information System 2.0, or OCIS 2.0. The system pulls Franklin County data from circuit, general district, and juvenile and domestic relations courts. Search by name, case number, or hearing date. The data updates each day. Sealed cases and juvenile files do not show up. There is no fee.
For a true statewide rap sheet, the Central Criminal Records Exchange, or CCRE, is the only valid source. The Sheriff's Office can run a local check, but it will not show arrests in other counties. Use the SP-167 form with a notary stamp.
Franklin County Juvenile Records
Juvenile police and court records are closed to the public under Va. Code § 16.1-301. Only parents, the courts, and certain agencies may see them. The Franklin County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court handles intake, hearings, and disposition for cases with people under 18. Some serious felony cases for older juveniles may be open by court order, but most stay sealed for life.
The Virginia FOIA Advisory Council writes free advisory opinions and runs FOIA training. Call (804) 698-1810 or toll-free 1-866-448-4100. The council can help if a Franklin County office wrongly denies a records request. Their advice is free and is used by both citizens and public bodies across the state.