York County Police Records Search

York County police records are kept by the York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office and the York County/Poquoson Circuit Court Clerk. These files include arrest reports, incident logs, and criminal case data. The agency and the court are combined with the independent city of Poquoson. This page covers how to find York County police records from local and state sources.

York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office

The York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement body for York County and the City of Poquoson. The office is dedicated to protecting life and property, reducing crime, and serving the needs of citizens. The agency provides quality and efficient law enforcement services while maintaining the public trust through professionalism and accountability. The FOIA Officer is Captain Robert Blinco.

The York County General Government FOIA Officer is Kim Hendricks. Email: foia@yorkcounty.gov. P.O. Box 532, Yorktown, VA 23690-0532. Phone: (757) 890-3325. Fax: (757) 890-3315. The York County website at yorkcounty.gov/sheriff has a fillable FOIA Request Form available online.

Under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3700 et seq., public records are open unless an exemption applies. Requests can be made by U.S. Mail, fax, email, in person, or over the phone. The office must respond within five working days from the day after the request is received. An extension of seven more days, twelve total, is allowed if practically impossible to respond in five days.

Records Available and Fees

Records available include Criminal Incident Information, Arrest Records, Criminal Investigations Information, Other Investigations and Records, Personnel records, Contracts, Financial records, and Correspondence. The York County Treasurer is at 120 Alexander Hamilton Blvd., Yorktown, VA 23690. Phone: 757-890-3420. The Commissioner of Revenue is Tonya Isaksen at the same address. Phone: 757-890-3383.

Fees cover actual costs for staff time, copying, and other direct costs. Deposits are required if the estimate exceeds $200. Past due bills over 30 days must be paid before new requests are processed.

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.

York County Police Records Exemptions

York County uses standard Virginia FOIA exemptions. Personnel records under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3705.1(1) are protected. Attorney-client privileged materials are exempt under § 2.2-3705.1(2). Attorney work product is exempt under § 2.2-3705.1(3). Ongoing investigation materials and law enforcement techniques may be withheld.

Under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3706, felony criminal incident information must be released. Appeal denials to the York County Circuit Court or contact the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council at (804) 698-1810.

York County Circuit Court Records

The York County/Poquoson Circuit Court is part of the 9th Judicial Circuit. The Clerk is Kristen N. Nelson. Physical address: 300 Ballard Street, Yorktown, VA 23690. Mailing: P.O. Box 371, Yorktown, VA 23690. Phone: 757-890-3350. Fax: 757-890-3364. Email: knelson@vacourts.gov. The York and Poquoson courts are combined. The Clerk files all felony cases, civil cases over $25,000, and family law matters for both jurisdictions.

You can search court records online for free. The Virginia Circuit Court Case Information System covers York 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.

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.

York County Arrest Records

Arrest records from York County are public under Virginia FOIA. Adult mugshots are public. Felony incident details must be released. Contact Captain Blinco at the Sheriff's Office 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 York 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 York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office website, which has details on FOIA requests, records, and contact information.

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

York County Incident and Arrest Reports

Daily incident logs are kept by the York 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, York County included. To get a York 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. York 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. York 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 York 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 York 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 York 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 York 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. York 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 cities of Poquoson and Williamsburg are near York County. Poquoson shares a combined Sheriff's Office and Circuit Court with York County. These counties also neighbor York County.