Find Lee County Police Records
Lee County police records are kept by the Sheriff's Office in Jonesville and the Circuit Court Clerk's office. Sheriff Gary Parsons has run the agency since 1996. Records covered include arrest logs, incident reports, court filings, and criminal case files. This page lays out how to file a FOIA request and what to expect.
County Seat: Jonesville
FOIA Response Time: 5 working days (12 with extension)
State Background Check: $15 via VSP Form SP-167
Circuit Court: 30th Judicial Circuit
Sheriff's Office Contact
| Office | Lee County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Sheriff | Gary Parsons (since 1996) |
| Address | 33640 Main Street, Jonesville, VA 24263 |
| Phone | (276) 346-7753 |
| Circuit Court Clerk | Rene Lamey, (276) 346-7763 |
| County Admin | P.O. Box 968, Jonesville, VA 24263, (276) 346-7710 |
How to Request Lee County Police Records
To get arrest reports, incident logs, or criminal investigation files, contact the Lee County Sheriff's Office at 33640 Main Street, Jonesville, VA 24263. Phone: (276) 346-7753. Be specific about what you need. Names, dates, and case numbers help. You can ask in person, by phone, by mail, or by email.
The Circuit Court Clerk's office at the Lee County Courthouse handles court records. Rene Lamey serves as the FOIA Officer there. Phone: (276) 346-7763. Fax: (276) 346-3440. The clerk's office maintains criminal and civil court records, judgments, and probate files.
Under Va. Code § 2.2-3700 et seq., the agency has five working days to respond. They can extend by seven days. Criminal investigative files allow up to 65 working days under § 2.2-3706. Fees apply for staff time and copies.
Lee County Criminal Records Access
Felony incident information must be released under FOIA. You get the basic facts: what happened, when and where, who responded, and what was lost or damaged. Adult mugshots are public. Closed unattended death files are public on request.
What stays sealed? Active investigative files, witness statements, and informant identities tied to open cases can all be withheld. Juveniles are protected under separate state law. The sheriff has the right to hold a record back if release would put anyone at risk.
Note: Lee County is in Virginia's far southwest corner, served by the 30th Judicial Circuit alongside Wise and Scott counties.
Lee County Court Records
The Lee County Circuit Court hears felony cases, civil disputes over $25,000, and family law matters. The court is part of the 30th Judicial Circuit. Court files often link to police investigations through charging documents and trial records.
Search Virginia court files free online. The Circuit Court Case Information System covers civil and criminal cases statewide. The General District Court system handles misdemeanors, traffic, and felony preliminary hearings. Both pull live data from clerks across the state.
Clerk's office copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies add $2.00 each.
Virginia State Police Criminal History
The Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange runs the statewide criminal history database. A name-based check costs $15 with Form SP-167. The form must be notarized. The report shows all Virginia arrests, pending charges, dismissals, and convictions. Processing takes about 12 to 15 business days.
A combined criminal and sex offender check costs $20. The Sex Offender Registry is free to search online for violent offenders. National checks for paid jobs use Form SP-325 at $27. Volunteer checks cost $20.
Police Records Privacy and Expungement
Criminal history sharing is set by Va. Code § 19.2-389. Over 50 types of agencies and groups can get records. People can always request their own records.
Expungement petitions go to the Lee County Circuit Court under § 19.2-392.2. You must show that keeping the record would cause manifest injustice. Only dismissed charges or acquittals qualify. The Commonwealth's Attorney must be served and can object.
Other Lee County Police Record Sources
Crash reports come from the Virginia DMV at $8 per copy. Use Form CRD 93. The Department of Corrections Offender Locator shows current state inmates. The Department of Criminal Justice Services handles statewide law enforcement training and victim help. The Virginia FOIA Council can help if your request is denied.
Virginia's online court tools cover Lee County cases for free.
Search by name or case number to find criminal and civil filings.
Lee County Daily Incident Logs
The Lee County Sheriff's Office keeps a daily log of calls and arrests. The log lists case numbers, time of call, type of call, and the unit that took it. This is a public record under Virginia FOIA. Ask the records clerk for a copy by date range. Most agencies will email it for free if it is already in digital form.
Arrest reports name the person, age, charge, booking date, and bond. The full case file may stay closed while the case is open. Police investigative files are set out in Va. Code § 2.2-3706.1. The sheriff has up to 65 working days to act on a request for a closed criminal investigative file. Active files can be held back in full.
The 911 dispatch logs and CAD records are also public. Audio tapes from open cases may be withheld. Once the case ends, the audio is open. Fees for 911 audio run by the minute of recording, plus media cost.
Statewide Lee County Records Tools
The Central Criminal Records Exchange, run by the Virginia State Police, is the state's main rap sheet. Lee County feeds every fingerprintable arrest into the CCRE within days. To pull a state level criminal history, file Form SP-167. The fee is $15 and the form must be notarized. Most reports come back in 12 to 15 working days.
The Online Case Information System, OCIS 2.0, is the state court search portal. It is free. Search by name, case number, or date. The tool covers circuit, general district, and juvenile and domestic relations cases for Lee County and the rest of the state. Results show charge, court date, and case status.
The Virginia Sex Offender Registry runs under Va. Code § 9.1-902. Search by name, ZIP, or county. Lee County offenders show up with photos, address, and offense type. The registry is free and open to all members of the public.
Juvenile and Expungement Rules
Juvenile records in Lee County are not open to the general public. Access rules sit in Va. Code § 16.1-301. The child, the parent, the attorney, and certain state agencies can view the file. The clerk of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court holds these records and will not give them out without a court order.
Some juvenile felony cases are open if the child was 14 or older at the time of the act. The court file in those cases may show up in the public system. Most other juvenile files stay sealed.
Adult expungement runs through the Lee County Circuit Court. The law is Va. Code § 19.2-392.2. Only dismissed charges, nolle prosequi outcomes, or full acquittals qualify. A guilty plea does not. The petition fee is $84. The Commonwealth's Attorney is served and can object at the hearing.
Tips for Lee County FOIA Filings
Keep your ask short and clear. Name the date, the report number if you have it, and the kind of file you want. Vague asks slow the search and raise the fee. Most Lee County offices bill staff time by the 15-minute block at the rate of the lowest paid clerk who can do the work.
Ask for a cost estimate up front. If the work may top $200, the county can ask for a deposit before they start. Get the cost in writing. You can also ask to inspect files in person at no copy fee. The county will set a time and place for the review at the courthouse or sheriff's office.
If your request is denied, ask for the legal cite. The denial letter must name 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 Virginia FOIA Council at 1-866-448-4100 for free help, or file a petition in the Lee County Circuit Court.
Note: Always keep a copy of your request and the reply. Dates matter if the matter ends up in court.