Spotsylvania County Police Records

Spotsylvania County police records are kept by the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office and the Circuit Court Clerk. These files include arrest reports, incident verifications, accident reports, and criminal case data. The Sheriff's Office has its own designated Freedom of Information Officer. This page covers how to find Spotsylvania County police records from local and state sources.

Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office

The Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement body for the county. Sheriff Roger L. Harris leads the agency. The office provides efficient, quality law enforcement to all residents through a public partnership focused on mutual trust, integrity, fairness, and professionalism. The records section handles requests for police files and accident reports.

Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm (Except holidays). The FOIA Officer is Bernita Jeter. Submit requests by phone, mail, email, or in person. Under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3700 et seq., public records are open unless an exemption applies. The office must respond within five working days, with a seven day extension allowed. Visit the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office website for current contact details and forms.

Records and Fees

The Sheriff's Office offers several records services. Accident Reports cost $5.00 and are available online at crashdocs.org within 5-7 business days after a crash. Incident Verifications cost $5.00. Fingerprints cost $15.00 and are offered Wednesdays and Fridays from 1:00pm to 3:30pm. Court records may include arrest information through the Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System.

For school board records, contact Dr. Dennis Martin, the Spotsylvania County Public Schools FOIA Officer, at 8020 River Stone Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22407. Phone: 540.834.2500, ext. 1019. Email: dwmartin@spotsylvania.k12.va.us. School records are maintained under FERPA compliance and student scholastic records are protected.

Note: Crash reports also go through the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. Form FR-300 is filed by law enforcement within 24 hours. DMV charges $8 per copy.

Spotsylvania County Police Records Exemptions

Some records are exempt from public release. Personnel records, tests and examinations, records relating to security, attorney-client privilege, attorney work product, closed session materials, criminal investigative records, and ongoing investigation information are common exemptions. Student scholastic records are protected under FERPA.

Under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3706, felony criminal incident information must be released. Criminal incident information is available for adult cases. If your request is denied, the office must cite the specific code section. Appeal denials to the Spotsylvania County Circuit Court or contact the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council at (804) 698-1810.

Spotsylvania County Circuit Court Records

The Spotsylvania County Circuit Court is part of the 15th Judicial Circuit. The Clerk's Office files all felony cases, civil cases over $25,000, and family law matters. Records include indictments, plea deals, sentencing orders, and case dispositions. The General District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic, and preliminary hearings.

You can search court records online for free. The Virginia Circuit Court Case Information System covers Spotsylvania and other circuit courts statewide. Search by name, case number, or hearing date. The General District Court Online Case Information System handles misdemeanors and traffic cases. The Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System 2.0 is the current search portal.

Court copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies add $2.00.

State Police Criminal History

For a statewide check, submit Form SP-167 to the Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange. The fee is $15 per name search. The form must be notarized. Mail it to Virginia State Police, CARE, P.O. Box 85076, Richmond, VA 23285. Processing takes 12 to 15 business days.

Form SP-266 is for the Sex Offender Registry at $15. A combined check is $20. The free Sex Offender Registry lets the public search violent offenders. Under Virginia Code Section 19.2-389, criminal history sharing is limited to certain users.

Spotsylvania County Arrest Records

Arrest records from Spotsylvania County are public under Virginia FOIA. Adult mugshots are public. Felony incident details must be released. Contact the FOIA Officer with the person's name and any case number. The Virginia Department of Corrections Offender Locator shows current inmate data statewide.

For expungement, petition the Spotsylvania County Circuit Court under Virginia Code Section 19.2-392.2. This applies if you were acquitted or had charges dropped. The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services provides victim services and law enforcement training info.

The screenshot below shows the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office website, which provides details on records services, fees, and FOIA contacts.

The site lists records services, hours, and FOIA Officer Bernita Jeter's contact details.

Spotsylvania County Incident and Arrest Reports

Daily incident logs are kept by the Spotsylvania 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, Spotsylvania County included. To get a Spotsylvania 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. Spotsylvania 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. Spotsylvania 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 Spotsylvania 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 Spotsylvania 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 Spotsylvania 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 Spotsylvania 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. Spotsylvania 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.

Cities and Nearby Counties

The independent city of Fredericksburg borders Spotsylvania County to the north. These counties also border Spotsylvania County.