Orange County Police Records
Orange County police records come from the Sheriff's Office under Sheriff Jason Smith. Records requests can be filed by mail, email, fax, in person, online, or by phone. The county has a clear FOIA policy with set time limits and fee rules. This page covers contacts, fees, exemptions, and how to file your request the right way.
County Seat: Orange
FOIA Response Time: 5 working days (12 with extension)
Criminal File Response: Up to 65 working days
Circuit Court: 16th Judicial Circuit
Sheriff's Office Contact
| Office | Orange County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Sheriff | Jason Smith |
| FOIA Officer | Mike LaCasse |
| Address | 11282 Government Center Drive, Orange, VA 22960 |
| Phone | (540) 672-1200 |
| County FOIA | LaToya Smith, PO Box 111, Orange, VA 22960, (540) 672-3313 |
| County In-Person | 112 West Main Street, Orange, VA 22960 |
How to Request Orange County Police Records
Orange County does not require any single method for FOIA requests. You can use U.S. Mail, fax, email, online, in person, or over the phone. FOIA does not require requests in writing, and you do not need to state that you are using FOIA. Identify the records you want with reasonable specificity. This is a common-sense standard. It does not limit how many records you can request.
For sheriff's office records, contact Mike LaCasse, the Sheriff's Office FOIA Officer, at 11282 Government Center Drive, Orange, Virginia 22960. Phone: (540) 672-1200. For other county records, contact LaToya Smith at PO Box 111, Orange, VA 22960. Phone: (540) 672-3313. Fax: (540) 672-6375.
Your request must ask for existing records or documents. FOIA gives you a right to inspect or copy records. It does not apply when you are asking general questions about Orange County's work, and it does not require the county to create a record that does not exist.
Orange County FOIA Response Times
Orange County must respond to your FOIA request within five working days of receiving it. Day One is the day after the request is received. The five-day period does not include weekends, holidays, or other days when Orange County is closed for business. Under Va. Code § 2.2-3700 et seq., the county can extend by seven extra days for a total of 12 working days.
For criminal investigative files requested under § 2.2-3706.1, Orange County is allowed an additional 60 working days to respond. That gives them a total of 65 working days for criminal investigation files.
Note: Orange County may require a deposit, not to exceed the estimate amount, when a FOIA request is estimated to cost more than $200.
Orange County FOIA Fees
Fees to produce FOIA requests in Orange County are charged based on the time spent by the individual or individuals compiling and redacting the records, plus additional charges. The fee for time spent is the employee's hourly rate, which is the total annual salary divided by 2,080 hours. Time is measured in 10-minute increments.
Orange County exemptions follow standard Virginia FOIA categories: personnel records under § 2.2-3705.1(1), attorney-client privilege under § 2.2-3705.1(2), vendor proprietary information under § 2.2-3705.1(6), and criminal records under § 2.2-3706.
Orange County Court Records
The Orange County Circuit Court hears felony cases, civil disputes over $25,000, and family law matters. Clerk Melissa Morris is at P.O. Box 230, Orange, VA 22960, phone (540) 672-4030. The Commonwealth's Attorney is Page Higginbotham at P.O. Box 310, Orange, VA 22960, phone (540) 672-4848.
Search Virginia court files free online. The Circuit Court Case Information System covers civil and criminal cases. The General District Court system handles misdemeanors and traffic cases.
Clerk's office copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies add $2.00.
Virginia State Police Criminal History
The Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange runs the statewide criminal history database. Submit Form SP-167 with a $15 fee. The form must be notarized. Processing takes 12 to 15 business days. The report shows all Virginia arrests, pending charges, dismissals, and convictions.
A combined criminal and sex offender check costs $20. The Sex Offender Registry is free to search online. 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.
Expungement petitions go to the Orange Circuit Court under § 19.2-392.2. Only dismissed charges or acquittals qualify. The Commonwealth's Attorney is served and can object.
Other Orange 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 Virginia FOIA Council at 1-866-448-4100 helps if a request is denied.
Orange County publishes its full FOIA procedures online for the public.
Read the policy before submitting a request to Mike LaCasse or LaToya Smith.
Orange County Incident and Arrest Reports
Daily incident logs are kept by the Orange 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, Orange County included. To get a Orange 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. Orange 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. Orange 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 Orange 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 Orange 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 Orange 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 Orange 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. Orange 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.