Pittsylvania County Police Records
Pittsylvania County police records come from the Sheriff's Office in Chatham. The agency processes requests for local criminal records through its records staff. The county also runs a NextRequest portal for general FOIA submissions. The FBI's Crime Data Explorer logged 173 arrests by Pittsylvania deputies from October 2023 to October 2024. This page covers contacts and how to file your request.
County Seat: Chatham
FOIA Response Time: 5 working days (12 with extension)
State Background Check: $15 via VSP Form SP-167
Circuit Court: 22nd Judicial Circuit
Sheriff's Office Contact
| Office | Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 21 N Main Street, Chatham, VA 24531 |
| Phone | (434) 432-7800 |
| Records Staff | (434) 432-7997 |
| Hours | 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday |
| County Portal | Pittsylvania County NextRequest |
How to Request Pittsylvania County Police Records
The Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office processes requests for local criminal records. Record seekers can call the Sheriff's Office criminal records staff at (434) 432-7997. You can also visit in person during administrative hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office is at 21 N Main Street, Chatham, VA 24531. Main phone: (434) 432-7800.
For general county records, Pittsylvania County uses a NextRequest online portal. Some records are exempt from FOIA. Under Va. Code § 2.2-3700(B), any exemption from public access to records or meetings shall be narrowly construed. The county follows standard Virginia FOIA timelines.
Put your full name, mailing address, phone, and email at the top of the request. List the records you want with as much detail as you can give. A case number, an incident date, or a road name all help Pittsylvania County staff find the file fast. Keep a copy. If the cost runs over $200, the FOIA officer must give you a written estimate first. You can pay by check, money order, or in person at the records window.
The agency has five working days to respond. They can extend by seven extra days. Criminal investigative files allow up to 65 working days under § 2.2-3706.
Pittsylvania County Arrest Records
An arrest record is public information under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. Public arrest records are typically created and maintained by the Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office. The records contain information about an individual's run-in with the criminal justice system within Pittsylvania County. Common types include arrest and conviction records.
According to the FBI's Crime Data Explorer, the Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office made 173 arrests from October 2023 to October 2024. All Other Offenses saw the most arrests with 109. The office also made 36 arrests for simple assault.
Note: Pittsylvania County uses a NextRequest portal for general FOIA submissions, but criminal records go directly through the Sheriff's Office records staff at (434) 432-7997.
Pittsylvania County Criminal Records Access
Felony incident information must be released under § 2.2-3706. You get the basic facts of a crime: what happened, when and where, who responded, and what was lost or damaged. Adult mugshots are public.
Criminal records checks can also be conducted at the state level through the Virginia State Police. The VSP is Virginia's state custodian of criminal records. The VSP accepts requests submitted in person or by mail. Different forms apply: SP-167, SP-230, and SP-266 are the most common.
Pittsylvania County Court Records
The Pittsylvania County Circuit Court is located in Chatham. It has jurisdiction over felony cases, civil cases with claims over $25,000, and family matters. The General District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic cases, and civil cases with claims up to $25,000. The court is part of the 22nd Judicial Circuit.
Search Virginia court files free online. The Circuit Court Case Information System covers civil and criminal cases statewide. The General District Court system handles traffic, misdemeanors, and felony preliminary hearings.
Clerk's office copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies add $2.00. Court files for older Pittsylvania County cases may sit on paper or microfilm and need a clerk's pull.
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 and notarized signature. 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. Form SP-266 is for full registry searches at $15. Form SP-230 is used for adoption-related background checks.
Police Records Privacy and Expungement
Criminal history sharing is set by Va. Code § 19.2-389. Over 50 types of agencies can get records.
Expungement petitions go to the Pittsylvania Circuit Court under § 19.2-392.2. Only dismissed charges or acquittals qualify. The Commonwealth's Attorney is served and can object.
Pittsylvania County Jail and Inmate Data
The Pittsylvania County Jail in Chatham holds adults arrested by the Sheriff's Office and local police agencies. Booking records, the inmate roster, and bond data are open on request. Call the jail to verify if a person is in custody. The jail is run by the Sheriff and sits next to the courthouse on Main Street.
State prisoners later move on to a Virginia Department of Corrections facility. The VADOC offender locator tracks them by name or DOC number. Pittsylvania County also reports daily booking data to the state. The jail's booking log is one of the most-requested records in the county.
CCRE and OCIS 2.0 Statewide Data
Every Pittsylvania County arrest is reported to the Central Criminal Records Exchange. The CCRE is the master state criminal history file, set up under Va. Code § 9.1-101. The exchange tracks arrests, charges, dispositions, and sentences. Local clerks must send updates within 30 days of a final order.
Virginia is moving its court data system to OCIS 2.0. The new platform will replace older CJIS Web tools and add better filters and case alerts. Pittsylvania County Circuit Court and General District Court records will keep flowing to the same public portal during the change. Most users will not see a break.
Juvenile Records in Pittsylvania County
Juvenile police records are not public. Under Va. Code § 16.1-301, the Pittsylvania County Sheriff keeps juvenile files apart from adult files. Only the youth, the parent, the court, and a few set agencies can see them. Most juvenile cases are destroyed when the youth turns 19 or 21, depending on the type of charge.
There is one big exception. If a juvenile age 14 or older is charged with a felony, the file may become open. Records of juveniles found delinquent of a violent felony stay in the CCRE for life. Most other juvenile cases get sealed at the right age.
Note: Sex offenders living in Pittsylvania County must register with the Virginia State Police, and the registry is free to search online.
Other Pittsylvania 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 can help when a request is denied.
Pittsylvania County criminal records are available through the Sheriff's Office and state systems.
Call the records staff at (434) 432-7997 or visit the office in Chatham.