Goochland County Police Records
Goochland County police records are accessible through the Sheriff's Office, which provides law enforcement for this county west of Richmond. The public can file FOIA requests for incident reports, arrest data, and other law enforcement documentation. The County Administrator's Office serves as the main FOIA contact for county government records. Whether you need a single report or a statewide criminal background check, this page walks you through the process and available resources.
County Seat: Goochland
FOIA Response Time: 5 business days (up to 12 with extension)
State Background Check: $15 via VSP Form SP-167
Circuit Court: 16th Judicial Circuit
Sheriff's Office Contact Details
| Office | Goochland County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 2938 River Road West, Goochland, VA 23063 |
| Phone | (804) 556-5349 |
| FOIA Contact | County Administrator's Office, 1800 Sandy Hook Road, Goochland, VA 23063, Phone: (804) 556-5800 |
Getting Goochland County Police Records
Police records in Goochland County are governed by Va. Code § 2.2-3700 et seq., the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. Send your request in writing to the Sheriff's Office at 2938 River Road West, Goochland, VA 23063. For other county records, contact the County Administrator at 1800 Sandy Hook Road, Goochland, VA 23063, or call (804) 556-5800.
Be specific. Include names, dates, case numbers, and the type of document you want. Clear requests get processed faster. The sheriff's office has five working days to respond. An extension of seven more days is possible, maxing out at 12. Criminal investigative files can take up to 65 working days under § 2.2-3706.
Copy and research fees are allowed under FOIA. Ask for an estimate in advance so there are no surprises.
Public Access to Goochland County Records
Criminal incident information for felony offenses must be released under § 2.2-3706. This includes the nature of the crime, the date and general location, the investigating officer's name, and any injuries or property damage. Adult mugshots are always public. Completed unattended death investigation records are public as well.
Files from ongoing investigations can be withheld. The sheriff's office has discretion to hold back evidence, memos, witness statements, and correspondence tied to active cases. Informant identities are never disclosed, regardless of case status. Any records that could endanger someone or compromise an investigation stay sealed until that risk passes.
There is no automatic release when a case closes. You must submit a new FOIA request for any records that were previously withheld.
Goochland County Court Records
The Goochland County Circuit Court is located at 2938 River Road W, Goochland, VA 23063. Phone: (804) 556-5306. The court sits in the 16th Judicial Circuit and hears felony criminal cases, civil disputes over $25,000, and family law matters. Court filings show what happened after a police report was filed, including charges, pleas, and sentences.
Online searches are free through Virginia's court system. Use the Circuit Court Case Information System for criminal and civil cases. The General District Court system covers traffic, misdemeanor, and preliminary hearing information. Clerk copies cost $0.50 per page, plus $2.00 for certification.
State Criminal History Searches
For a statewide check, the Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange is the only option. File Form SP-167 with a $15 fee and a notarized signature. Results come in 12 to 15 business days and include all Virginia arrests, charges, dismissals, and convictions.
A combined criminal history and sex offender search costs $20. The Sex Offender Registry is free to search online for violent offenders. Form SP-266 is used for full registry searches at $15. National fingerprint checks through Form SP-325 run $27 for employment or $20 for volunteers.
Note: The CARE division at Virginia State Police handles over 560,000 requests annually. No rush processing is available. Mail to P.O. Box 85076, Richmond, VA 23285.
Police Records Law in Goochland County
Virginia Code § 19.2-389 lists who can access criminal history from the state repository. Over 50 recipient categories are authorized, from law enforcement to school boards, health facilities, and individuals checking their own records.
The one-year arrest rule prevents dissemination of arrest records to non-criminal justice agencies when a year has passed without a disposition or active prosecution. This protects people from being burdened by unresolved arrest data.
Expungement of police and court records can be requested by petitioning the Goochland County Circuit Court under § 19.2-392.2. You must show that keeping the records causes manifest injustice. Only dismissed charges and acquittals qualify. The Commonwealth's Attorney gets notice and may file an objection.
Other Resources
The Goochland County government website has general information about departments and services. For crash reports, the Virginia DMV charges $8 per copy. Submit Form CRD 93 by mail or visit any DMV office in person.
The Virginia DOC Offender Locator shows current inmates statewide. VINE provides victim notification of custody changes. The Department of Criminal Justice Services at (804) 786-3414 handles victim assistance and law enforcement standards.
The independent city of Richmond borders Goochland County and has its own police department and records system.
The Goochland County Sheriff's Office website is the primary source for police record requests.
Direct FOIA requests to the sheriff for law enforcement records or the County Administrator for other county records.
Goochland County Jail and Inmate Lookup
Goochland County inmates are held in the local jail or moved to a state prison after a felony conviction. The county is also home to two state prisons run by the Department of Corrections. The local jail keeps booking sheets, arrest photos, charges, and intake dates. Mugshots of adults are public records under Virginia FOIA. The state-level VADOC Offender Locator shows people held in state prisons after sentencing.
Booking sheets list the name, age, charge, arrest date, and arresting agency. The jail does not give out medical info, mental health files, or visitor logs. Send written FOIA requests for booking files to the Sheriff's Office at 2938 River Road West, Goochland, VA 23063. Bring a photo ID if you visit in person.
Goochland County Online Search Tools
The state runs a free case search portal called Online Case Information System 2.0, or OCIS 2.0. The system pulls Goochland 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 and no need to set up an account.
For a full state criminal history, the Central Criminal Records Exchange, or CCRE, is the only source. The CCRE is run by the Virginia State Police. A local Sheriff's Office check will not show out-of-county arrests. Always specify which one you need.
Goochland County Juvenile Records
Juvenile police and court records are closed under Va. Code § 16.1-301. Only parents, the courts, and certain agencies may see them. The Goochland County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court hears cases for 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 Goochland County office wrongly denies a records request.