Search Stafford County Police Records

Stafford County police records are kept by the Stafford County Sheriff's Office and the Circuit Court Clerk. These files include arrest reports, incident logs, and criminal case data. Stafford has the eighth largest arrest rate in Virginia. The county has a central Citizens Assistance Office for FOIA requests. This page covers how to find Stafford County police records from local and state sources.

Stafford County Sheriff's Office

The Stafford County Sheriff's Office serves a population of 146,649. The agency has an arrest rate of 4,114.6, the eighth largest in Virginia. The mission is dedicated, innovative people working with the community to serve and protect Stafford County. The office uses the best tools and technology available. For emergencies, dial 911.

Under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3700 et seq., public records are open unless an exemption applies. The county uses the Stafford County Citizens Assistance Office as a central FOIA portal. Requests can be filed through the online portal, by mail, email, phone, fax, or in person. Some departments use the NextRequest portal. The office must respond within five working days. An extension of seven more days, twelve total, is allowed. Visit the Stafford County Sheriff's Office website for current details.

The office offers an expedited hiring process for qualifying certified applicants and matches years of service 1:1 up to 10 years or 50%, whichever is more. For hit and run incidents, contact Sergeant M.L. Hume at mhume@staffordcountyva.gov.

How to File a FOIA Request

State the records you need with reasonable specificity. Give the person's full name, date of birth, date of event, and type of record. Arrest records include name, age, physical description, time, location, and reason for arrest. Booking information includes photographs and fingerprints. Mail your request to the Citizens Assistance Office at 1300 Courthouse Road, Stafford, VA 22554.

The county may charge reasonable fees for actual cost. If the estimate exceeds $200, a deposit is required before work begins. Past due bills must be paid before new requests are processed. For tax records, contact the Commissioner of Revenue. For building permits, contact the Department of Planning and Zoning. For complete criminal history, use Virginia State Police Form SP-167.

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

Stafford County Police Records Exemptions

Some records are exempt from public release. Ongoing criminal investigations, juvenile records under § 16.1-301, expunged records under § 19.2-392.2, grand jury proceedings, sealed records, law enforcement techniques, and victim identifying information are common exemptions.

Under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3706, felony criminal incident information must be released. If the office denies your request, it must cite the specific code section and explain why. Appeal denials to the Stafford County Circuit Court or contact the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council at (804) 698-1810.

Stafford County Circuit Court Records

The Stafford County Circuit Court is part of the 15th Judicial Circuit. The Clerk's Office is at 1300 Courthouse Road, Stafford, VA 22554. Phone: 540-658-8750. The Clerk files all felony cases, civil cases over $25,000, and family law matters. Records include charging documents, disposition records, and sentencing information.

You can search court records online for free. The Virginia Circuit Court Case Information System covers Stafford and other circuit courts statewide. Search by name, case number, or hearing date. The General District Court Online Case Information System handles misdemeanors, traffic cases, and preliminary hearings. Stafford County also has its own Land Records Online system and a GIS system for property information.

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

Rappahannock Regional Jail

The Rappahannock Regional Jail serves Stafford County and nearby areas. It is located at 1745 Richmond Highway, Stafford, VA 22554. Mailing: P.O. Box 3300. Phone: (540) 288-5245. Fax: (540) 288-0819. Inmate information is available on the jail website. For statewide offender data, use the Virginia Department of Corrections Offender Locator.

Arrest records are available through FOIA requests to the Sheriff's Office. Must provide: full name and date of birth. For complete criminal history, you need fingerprints and must use the Virginia State Police.

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.

The screenshot below shows the Stafford County Sheriff's Office website, which has details on records, FOIA, and contact info.

The site is the starting point for FOIA requests and law enforcement contact details.

Stafford County FOIA Requests in Practice

Filing a FOIA request with the Stafford County Sheriff's Office is straightforward. Put your request in writing. Email works. So does a letter or a walk-in visit at the front desk. State the records you want with as much detail as you can give. A case number speeds things up. So does a date range or the name of the officer involved. The sheriff has five working days to act under § 2.2-3706. The clerk may grant the request, deny it in part, or ask for more time.

Fees in Stafford County track the actual cost of the work. Staff time, copy costs, and any redaction labor can be billed. Ask for a written cost estimate before the office begins. If the bill will top $200, the agency can ask for a deposit up front. Pay by check or money order made out to the county. Some offices take cash at the counter.

If you live outside Virginia, the agency may decline your FOIA request. The law limits free access to citizens of the Commonwealth and the news media. Out-of-state requesters can still get records through other paths, including direct purchase of court files or a state criminal history check from VSP.

Stafford County Jail and Inmate Records

The Stafford County Sheriff runs the local jail or sends inmates to a regional facility. Booking sheets, mugshots, charge lists, and bond status are public. Call the jail's records desk for current inmate info. Many sheriffs post a daily inmate roster online. The state-wide Virginia DOC Offender Locator covers state prison inmates only, so for jail data you need the local agency.

Past inmate records are also held by the sheriff. Old booking files may be on microfilm. A written FOIA request gets you started. Note that medical, mental health, and classification files are sealed by law and will not be released to the public.

Juvenile and Sealed Records in Stafford County

Juvenile police records get extra protection. Under § 16.1-301, law enforcement files on minors are confidential and may only be released to a small list of people: the child, the parents, the court, and certain agencies. The Stafford County Sheriff's Office cannot share juvenile arrest data with the public. There are narrow exceptions for serious felonies once the case reaches court.

Adults with old, dismissed cases can ask to seal them. The expungement statute, § 19.2-392.2, lets a person petition the Stafford County Circuit Court to wipe an arrest record. The petitioner must have been acquitted, had charges dropped, or received an absolute pardon. A $84 filing fee applies. The State Police runs a fingerprint check and reports back to the court. If the judge signs the order, the police, court, and CCRE files are sealed.

Note: Sealed records still exist. Law enforcement and prosecutors can see them. The public cannot.

OCIS 2.0 and Statewide Court Search

Virginia courts are moving to a single online platform called OCIS 2.0. The system rolls out circuit by circuit. When live in Stafford County, OCIS 2.0 will let you search civil and criminal cases without a separate trip to the courthouse. The current Case Information System still works for most users. Both tools are free.

For appeals to a denied FOIA request, the Virginia FOIA Council gives free advice by phone or email. Call (804) 225-3056 or (866) 448-4100. The council does not enforce the law but helps both sides understand it. You can also file a petition for mandamus in the Stafford County Circuit Court within the time limit set by Va. Code § 2.2-3713.

Cities and Nearby Counties

The independent city of Fredericksburg borders Stafford County. These counties also border Stafford County.