Search Mathews County Police Records

Mathews County police records are kept by the Sheriff's Office on Buckley Hall Road and the Circuit Court Clerk in Mathews. These records cover arrests, criminal charges, incident reports, and booking data from this small coastal county on the Chesapeake Bay. The Mathews County Sheriff's Office handles FOIA requests for law enforcement files. The Circuit Court maintains felony and misdemeanor case records. You can request records by mail, email, phone, fax, or in person. Virginia law does not require a written request. This page covers where to get Mathews County police records, what fees to expect, and how to use online search tools.

Mathews County Sheriff's Office Records

The Mathews County Sheriff's Office is the main source for police records in the county. All FOIA requests for Sheriff's Office records should be directed to that office specifically. The county government has a separate FOIA process, but law enforcement records go through the Sheriff's Office. Staff handles requests for arrest records, incident reports, and investigation files.

Under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3700 et seq., all public records are presumed open. A public record includes any paper document, electronic file, audio recording, or video held by a public body in the course of public business. Only records that fall under a specific statutory exemption can be withheld. The Sheriff's Office must cite the exact exemption if it denies any part of your request.

Be aware that a Facebook page called "Mathews County FOIA" is not affiliated with any county office. Do not submit records requests through social media. Use the official channels listed above. For general county FOIA requests not related to the Sheriff's Office, you can email jgreen@mathewscountyva.gov or use the Mathews County NextRequest portal.

How to Get Mathews County Police Records

Filing a FOIA request with Mathews County is straightforward. You can use any of these methods: U.S. Mail, fax, email, in person, or phone. The law does not require that your request be in writing. You do not need to say you are making a FOIA request. Just describe the records you want with enough detail so staff can find them.

Your request must identify the records with "reasonable specificity." This means being clear enough that the office can locate what you need. It does not limit the volume of records you can ask for. You must ask for existing records. FOIA does not require the county to create new documents or answer general questions about its operations.

Mathews County must respond within five working days of receiving your request. Day one is the day after the request arrives. Weekends and holidays do not count. The office can provide the records in full, withhold them under a specific exemption, provide some and withhold others, or tell you the records do not exist. For criminal investigative files under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3706.1, the office gets 65 working days total to respond.

Fees are based on actual costs. The county charges for search time using the hourly rate of the employee doing the work, measured in 10-minute increments. Copying runs a few cents per page. If the estimated cost exceeds $200, a deposit may be required before work begins.

Police Records Exemptions in Mathews County

Not all police records in Mathews County are open. Virginia law sets out exemptions that allow agencies to withhold certain files. Common exemptions for law enforcement records include ongoing investigation files, personnel records, attorney-client privileged documents, and juvenile records. Informant identities and internal affairs files are also exempt.

All public records are presumed open, and exemptions must be applied narrowly. If the Sheriff's Office withholds any records, it must tell you which exemption applies and explain why. You can appeal a denial to the local circuit court or contact the Virginia FOIA Council at 1-866-448-4100 for guidance on your rights.

Mathews County Circuit Court Records

The Mathews County Circuit Court handles felony cases, civil cases over $25,000, and family law matters. The Circuit Court Clerk keeps records of all filings. For criminal case records that went through the circuit court, check with the clerk's office. This includes indictments, plea records, sentencing orders, and dispositions.

You can search court records online through the Virginia Circuit Court Case Information System. It is free and covers all Virginia circuit courts, including Mathews County. Search by name, case number, or hearing date. No account is needed to use it.

For misdemeanor cases, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings, use the General District Court Online Case Information System. Both databases are run by the Virginia Judicial System and updated regularly.

Virginia State Police Background Checks

For a statewide criminal history check covering Mathews County and all of Virginia, use the Virginia State Police. Submit Form SP-167 to the Central Criminal Records Exchange. The fee is $15 per search. The form must be notarized. Mail it to Virginia State Police, CARE, 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, VA 23235.

The Virginia State Police FOIA portal handles electronic records requests for state police files. Processing time for SP-167 requests is about 15 business days. Results cover arrests and convictions from across Virginia. This is a name-based search, so accuracy depends on the information you provide.

Search Mathews County Police Records Online

Several free tools let you search for Mathews County police records from home. The Virginia Courts Case Information system covers both circuit and district courts. Search by name to find criminal cases, check hearing dates, and view outcomes. The Virginia Judicial System website links to both search tools.

The Virginia State Police also maintains the Sex Offender Registry, searchable by name or location. For formal criminal history reports, visit the VSP criminal background check page.

Note: Online court records may not include every detail in the full case file. For complete records, visit the courthouse.

Below is a screenshot of the Mathews County government website, which provides information about county services and FOIA procedures.

Use the official county website to find contact details and submit records requests through proper channels.

Nearby Counties

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