New Kent County Police Records

New Kent County police records are kept by the Sheriff's Office near the courthouse complex and the Circuit Court Clerk in New Kent. These records include arrest logs, incident reports, criminal charges, and booking data from this growing county between Richmond and Williamsburg along the I-64 corridor. The New Kent County Sheriff's Office processes FOIA requests for law enforcement files. The Circuit Court maintains felony and misdemeanor case records. You can submit requests by mail, email, phone, fax, or in person. Virginia law does not require written requests or that you cite FOIA. This page explains where to find and how to get New Kent County police records.

New Kent County Sheriff's Office Records

The New Kent County Sheriff's Office is the main source for police records. Sheriff Lee S. Bailey heads the department. FOIA requests for law enforcement records go to the Sheriff's Office. Staff handles arrest records, incident reports, and criminal investigation files. The office reported 748 arrests in 2023 according to Virginia State Police NIBRS data.

Under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3700 et seq., all public records are presumed open. The Sheriff's Office must cite a specific exemption if it withholds any records. Public records include paper files, electronic data, audio recordings, and video held in the course of public business.

New Kent County has a designated FOIA structure with separate officers for different departments. The county FOIA Officer is Rodney A. Hathaway, County Administrator, at 12007 Courthouse Circle, P.O. Box 150, New Kent, VA 23124. Phone: (804) 966-9683. Fax: (804) 966-9370. Email: administration@newkent-va.us. For police records specifically, contact Sheriff Bailey at the address above.

How to Get New Kent County Police Records

Filing a FOIA request with New Kent County is straightforward. Contact the Sheriff's Office by mail, phone, fax, email, or in person. Virginia law does not require written requests. Just describe the records you need with enough detail so staff can find them. Provide names, dates, and the type of record whenever possible.

The office must respond within five working days. If it needs more time, it can invoke a 12-day extension by notifying you in writing. For criminal investigative files, the office gets up to 65 working days total under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3706.1. This extended period covers both active and closed investigation files.

Fees may apply for search time, copying, and redacting. The county charges based on actual costs. You can inspect records in person at no charge during business hours. If costs will be high, the office will provide an estimate before proceeding.

New Kent County Police Records Exemptions

Not all police records are open to the public. Virginia law provides exemptions for active criminal investigation files, personnel records, attorney-client privileged documents, and juvenile records. Informant identities and internal affairs materials are also protected from disclosure.

The Sheriff's Office must cite the specific exemption if it withholds any records. You can appeal a denial to the circuit court. Contact the Virginia FOIA Council at 1-866-448-4100 for help understanding your rights. Exemptions must be applied narrowly under Virginia law.

New Kent County Circuit Court Records

The New Kent County Circuit Court handles felony cases, civil cases over $25,000, and family law matters. Clerk of the Court Amy P. Crump maintains records at 12001 Courthouse Circle, P.O. Box 98, New Kent, VA 23124. Phone: (804) 966-9520. For criminal case records, the clerk's office has indictments, plea records, sentencing orders, and case dispositions.

The Commonwealth's Attorney for New Kent County is R.A. Del Rossi. His office is at 12001 Courthouse Circle, P.O. Box 221, New Kent, VA 23124. Phone: (804) 966-5548. Contact his office for questions about criminal prosecution records or case status.

Search court records online through the Virginia Circuit Court Case Information System. This free tool covers all Virginia circuit courts, including New Kent. For misdemeanor cases and traffic violations, use the General District Court Online Case Information System. Both are free and require no account.

Virginia State Police Background Checks

For a statewide criminal history check covering New Kent County and all of Virginia, use the Virginia State Police. Submit Form SP-167 to the Central Criminal Records Exchange. The fee is $15. 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 requests. Processing takes about 15 business days. Results cover arrests and convictions statewide. The Sex Offender Registry is searchable online by name or location.

Search New Kent County Police Records Online

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

For formal criminal history reports, visit the VSP criminal background check page. Online court records may not include every detail in the full case file. Visit the courthouse in New Kent for complete records.

The screenshot below shows the Virginia State Police homepage, which links to criminal background check services and the FOIA portal.

Use the state police website to submit SP-167 forms and request statewide criminal history reports.

Nearby Counties

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