Giles County Police Records
Giles County police records are held by the Sheriff's Office in Pearisburg. The sheriff provides law enforcement services for the entire county, and public records requests are processed through the office or the County Administrator. Virginia's Freedom of Information Act gives the public a right to access police documentation including incident reports and arrest records. This guide covers the request process, what records are public, and other ways to search for criminal case information in Giles County.
County Seat: Pearisburg
FOIA Response Time: 5 business days (up to 12 with extension)
State Background Check: $15 via VSP Form SP-167
Circuit Court: 27th Judicial Circuit
Giles County Sheriff Contact
| Office | Giles County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 302 Hood Street, Pearisburg, VA 24134 |
| Phone | (540) 921-3842 |
| FOIA Contact | County Administrator, 130 N Main St, Pearisburg, VA 24134, Phone: (540) 921-2525 |
How to Request Giles County Police Records
All police records in Giles County are subject to Va. Code § 2.2-3700 et seq., the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. Submit a written request to the Sheriff's Office at 302 Hood Street, Pearisburg, VA 24134, or contact the County Administrator at 130 N Main St. Include the specific records you need along with names, dates, and case numbers.
Agencies must respond within five working days. A seven-day extension is possible for complex requests, bringing the maximum to 12 working days. Criminal investigative files can take much longer. Under § 2.2-3706, agencies have up to 65 working days for those files. Reasonable fees for copying and staff time may apply, and you can request an estimate first.
If a request is denied, the agency must name the exemption. Challenge a denial through the courts or by calling the FOIA Advisory Council at 1-866-448-4100.
Public Police Records in Giles County
Felony criminal incident information is always public under § 2.2-3706. You can obtain the basic facts of any felony case: what was reported, where and when it happened, who investigated, and what damage resulted. Adult arrest photographs are public too. Records from completed unattended death investigations must be released upon request.
Open investigation files are exempt from disclosure. Evidence, witness statements, internal memos, and anything else tied to an active case can be held back. The identities of confidential informants are always shielded. Records that might endanger someone or compromise an ongoing investigation are also protected.
After a case ends, more records may become available. File a new FOIA request to find out.
Giles County Court Records
The Giles County Circuit Court is part of the 27th Judicial Circuit and handles felony trials, civil cases over $25,000, and family law. Court records include charging documents, hearing transcripts, and final orders that flow from police investigations. The court is located in Pearisburg.
Virginia's free online tools let you search case records. The Circuit Court Case Information System covers criminal and civil cases. The General District Court system handles traffic cases, misdemeanors, and preliminary hearings. Both systems allow name and case number searches.
Copy fees at the clerk's office run $0.50 per page. Certified copies add $2.00.
Virginia State Police Background Checks
The Virginia State Police is the statewide repository for criminal history. A name search through the Central Criminal Records Exchange costs $15 using Form SP-167. The form requires notarization. Results take about 12 to 15 business days and include arrests, charges, dismissals, and convictions from across Virginia.
You can combine a criminal history search with a sex offender registry check for $20. The Sex Offender Registry is searchable online for free when looking up violent offenders. Full registry searches need Form SP-266 at $15. National fingerprint-based checks use Form SP-325 at $27 for employees or $20 for volunteers.
Note: VSP does not offer expedited processing. Send requests to P.O. Box 85076, Richmond, VA 23285.
Criminal Records Law and Expungement
Virginia Code § 19.2-389 controls access to criminal history from the state database. More than 50 recipient categories are authorized, ranging from law enforcement to schools to nursing homes. You can always check your own record.
If an arrest sits for over a year with no disposition and no active prosecution, that arrest cannot be shared with non-criminal justice agencies. This prevents old, unresolved charges from staying in the system indefinitely.
Expungement is available under § 19.2-392.2. Petition the Giles County Circuit Court if your charges were dismissed or resulted in acquittal. The court looks for manifest injustice before sealing the records. The Commonwealth's Attorney has a right to oppose the petition.
More Record Sources
Crash reports for Giles County incidents go through the Virginia DMV at $8 each. Use Form CRD 93 by mail or get copies in person at a DMV office. The DOC Offender Locator tracks inmates statewide. VINE provides victim custody alerts.
The Department of Criminal Justice Services runs victim programs and oversees law enforcement training. Phone: (804) 786-3414. The Giles County government website has general information about county services and departments.
The independent city of Radford is nearby and has its own police department with separate records.
The Virginia Courts case search system covers Giles County circuit and district court records.
Search by name, case number, or hearing date to find case information from Giles County courts.
Giles County Incident and Arrest Reports
Daily incident logs are kept by the Giles County Sheriff's Office. These logs list calls for service, arrest activity, and case numbers. The log is a public record under FOIA. You can ask for a copy by date range or by case number. Some entries get redacted when a case is still open.
Arrest reports show the name, age, charge, and booking date. The arrest record is split from the full case file. To get the case file, you may need to wait for the case to close. Open case files fall under Va. Code § 2.2-3706.1, which sets out the rules for criminal investigative files. The sheriff has 65 working days to respond to those.
The 911 call logs and CAD data also count as public records. Ask the dispatch unit for the call sheet. Audio of the call may be held back if it is part of an open case.
Statewide Police Records Tools
The Central Criminal Records Exchange, or CCRE, is run by the Virginia State Police. It holds all reportable arrests and court outcomes from every county, Giles County included. To get a Giles County criminal history check, file Form SP-167. The fee is $15 and the form must be notarized. Most reports come back in 12 to 15 business days.
The Online Case Information System (OCIS 2.0) is the state court search tool. It covers circuit, general district, and juvenile and domestic relations cases. Search by name, case number, or date. The system is free. Results show the charge, court date, and case status. Giles County cases are part of the same statewide index.
The Virginia Sex Offender Registry is set up under Va. Code § 9.1-902. Search by name, ZIP, or county. Giles County offenders show up with photos, address, and offense type. The registry is free and open to all.
Note: The Virginia FOIA Council at 1-866-448-4100 gives free help if your Giles County request is delayed or denied. They can issue an opinion but cannot force the county to act.
Juvenile and Sealed Records
Juvenile records in Giles County are not open to the public. Access rules are set by Va. Code § 16.1-301. Only the child, the parent, the attorney, and certain agencies can view the file. The clerk of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court holds these records.
Some juvenile felony cases are open if the child was 14 or older at the time of the act. Those files may show up in the court system. Most stay sealed.
Expungement of adult arrests goes through the Giles County Circuit Court. The law is Va. Code § 19.2-392.2. Only dismissed charges, nolle prosequi, or full acquittals qualify. A guilty plea or conviction does not. The petition fee is $84. The Commonwealth's Attorney is served and can object at the hearing.
Tips for Filing a Giles County FOIA Request
Be clear and short. Name the date, the report number if you have it, and the type of file you want. Vague asks slow the search and raise the fee. The sheriff's staff bills by the 10-minute block.
Ask for an estimate up front. If the cost may top $200, the county can ask for a deposit. Get the cost in writing before work starts. You can also ask to inspect files in person at no copy fee. Giles County will set a time and place for the review.
If the request is denied, ask for the legal cite. The denial must point to a section of the code. Common cites are § 2.2-3705.1 for personnel files and § 2.2-3706 for police files. You can then call the FOIA Council or file in circuit court.