Tazewell County Police Records

Tazewell County police records are held by the Sheriff's Office in the town of Tazewell and the Circuit Court Clerk's office. These files cover arrests, criminal charges, incident reports, and case records from across this southwest Virginia county. You can get copies through a FOIA request sent by mail, email, phone, or in person. The Sheriff's Office and court each maintain their own set of records, so you may need to contact both depending on what you are looking for. This page walks through the steps for searching and requesting Tazewell County police records from local and state sources.

Tazewell County Sheriff's Office Records

The Tazewell County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency in the county. It maintains arrest records, incident reports, booking data, and other police files. To get copies of these records, you file a FOIA request with the office. Requests can go by mail, email, in person, or phone. Virginia law does not require that you put the request in writing, though doing so helps create a clear record of what you asked for.

Under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3700 et seq., all public records are presumed open unless a specific exemption applies. The Sheriff's Office must respond to your request within five working days. Day one starts the day after the office gets the request. Weekends and state holidays do not count. If the office cannot respond in five days, it may take up to seven more days, for a total of twelve working days.

The office charges fees based on the actual cost of finding and copying records. Staff time is billed at the hourly rate of the lowest paid employee who can do the search. If costs will go past $200, the office can ask for a deposit before it starts work.

How to Request Police Records in Tazewell County

Start by describing the records you want with enough detail so staff can locate them. Give the full name of the person, the date or date range, and the type of record. The more precise your request, the faster the process goes and the lower the cost will be. A vague request may take more staff time and result in higher charges.

You can submit your FOIA request using any of these methods. Mail it to the Sheriff's Office at 108 West Main Street, Tazewell, VA 24651. Call the office at (276) 988-0704. Or visit in person during regular business hours. You may also use a standardized FOIA form if one is available from the county, though the law does not require a specific form. Just ask for the records and be specific about what you need.

Note: If the records you need relate to a traffic crash, you may need to contact the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles instead. Law enforcement forwards crash reports (Form FR-300) to DMV within 24 hours. You can request copies from DMV for $8 per report.

Tazewell County Police Records Exemptions

Virginia FOIA lets agencies withhold certain records. The Tazewell County Sheriff's Office may deny access to files that fall under a statutory exemption. Common exemptions that apply to police records in Tazewell County include personnel records, documents covered by attorney-client privilege, and attorney work product. Records tied to ongoing criminal investigations can also be withheld at the discretion of the agency.

Under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3706, criminal incident information for felony offenses is public. This includes a general description of the crime, the date and location, the investigating officer, and a description of injuries or property damage. But criminal investigative files, informant identities, internal affairs records, and juvenile records are exempt. If the office denies your request, it must cite the specific code section and explain why the exemption applies. You have the right to appeal the denial in circuit court.

Security-related records and contract negotiation documents before an award are also exempt. Records that would endanger a witness or compromise an active investigation fall under separate protections. The office has discretion over many of these categories, so results can vary based on the nature of your request.

Tazewell County Circuit Court Records

The Tazewell County Circuit Court handles felony cases, civil cases over $25,000, and family law matters. The Circuit Court Clerk keeps records of all filings, including indictments, sentencing orders, plea agreements, and case dispositions. If you need records from a criminal case that went through the circuit court, this is where to look. The court is part of the 29th Judicial Circuit.

You can search Tazewell County court records online through the Virginia Circuit Court Case Information System. This free tool lets you look up cases by name, case number, or hearing date. It covers criminal and civil cases from all Virginia circuit courts. No account is needed. For misdemeanor charges, traffic cases, and preliminary hearings on felony charges, use the General District Court Online Case Information System. Both tools are run by the Virginia Judicial System.

Court records copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies run $2.00 extra. Triple-seal copies cost $2.50 above the base rate. You can request these from the Clerk's office in person or by mail.

State Police Criminal History Checks

For a statewide check that covers Tazewell County and all of Virginia, use the Virginia State Police criminal background check service. Submit Form SP-167 to the 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 about 12 to 15 business days.

The results include all arrests, pending charges, dismissals, and convictions on file with the state. This is a name-based search. For a more thorough check, a fingerprint-based search is available but is typically reserved for licensing and employment purposes. Form SP-266 covers Sex Offender Registry searches at $15 per search. A combined criminal history and sex offender search costs $20.

You can also reach the Virginia State Police FOIA office for other records. The Virginia State Police website provides details on how to file requests for state-level incident reports and other law enforcement files. The Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council can answer questions about your rights under FOIA. Call them at (804) 698-1810 or toll-free at 1-866-448-4100.

Tazewell County Arrest Records

Arrest records from Tazewell County are generally public under Virginia FOIA. Criminal incident information for felony offenses must be released. This covers the nature of the charge, date, location, and investigating officer. Adult mugshots are also public records under state law. To request arrest records, contact the Sheriff's Office with the person's full name and any other details you have, like date of birth or approximate arrest date.

Some arrest records may be withheld if they relate to an active investigation. Under Virginia Code Section 19.2-389, criminal history record information from the Central Criminal Records Exchange is restricted. Arrest information cannot be released to noncriminal justice agencies if more than one year has passed since the arrest with no disposition recorded and no active prosecution pending. This rule applies to state-level records, not necessarily to local files held by the Sheriff's Office.

Search Tazewell County Police Records Online

Several free tools let you search for Tazewell County police records from home. The Virginia Courts Case Information portal covers both circuit and district courts statewide. You can search by name to find criminal cases, check hearing dates, and see case outcomes. The Online Case Information System 2.0 (OCIS 2.0) provides statewide search with text and email alerts for case events.

The Virginia State Police Sex Offender Registry is searchable by name or location. Violent sex offender searches are free on the website. The Virginia Department of Corrections Offender Locator shows current inmate information, including charges, facility, and projected release dates. VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) provides alerts on custody status changes for victims.

Note: Online court records may not have every detail found in the full case file at the clerk's office. For complete records, contact the Tazewell County Circuit Court Clerk directly.

Expungement of Tazewell County Police Records

If you were acquitted or had charges dismissed in Tazewell County, you may be able to get those police and court records expunged. Under Virginia Code Section 19.2-392.2, you can file a petition in the circuit court where the case was resolved. A copy of the petition must be served on the Commonwealth's Attorney, who can file an objection.

The court will hold a hearing. It may order expungement if it finds that keeping the records on file would cause manifest injustice. This standard is not easy to meet. You typically need to show that the records cause real harm, such as blocking you from getting a job or housing. An attorney can help you put together the petition and present your case at the hearing.

The screenshot below shows the Virginia Courts Case Information portal, which you can use to look up Tazewell County criminal and civil court records online.

This free tool covers all Virginia circuit courts and is updated with new filings regularly.

Nearby Counties

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