Access Colonial Heights Arrest Records

Colonial Heights arrest records are kept by the Colonial Heights Police Department and the city's Circuit Court clerk, as Colonial Heights is a Virginia independent city with its own courts and law enforcement separate from Chesterfield County. Search criminal cases for free through the Virginia Courts Case Information System, or call the Police Department at (804) 520-9300 for local record requests.

Colonial Heights Police Department

The Colonial Heights Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency for this independent city just south of Petersburg on the Appomattox River. The department maintains arrest records, incident reports, and booking records for all law enforcement activity within city limits. For local record requests or questions about a specific incident, the Police Department is the right starting point.

Colonial Heights is surrounded by Chesterfield County but is legally independent of it. Do not look for Colonial Heights cases in Chesterfield County court records. The two jurisdictions are separate. Cases from Colonial Heights are in the Colonial Heights Circuit Court and General District Court. The online case search tool lets you filter by jurisdiction, so make sure you are searching Colonial Heights specifically.

For Freedom of Information Act requests, put your request in writing and address it to the department's records custodian. Describe the records clearly: include the person's name, approximate date of the arrest or incident, and the type of record you are seeking. The department has five working days to respond. Fees may cover actual costs for copying and staff time but cannot exceed those costs.

How to Search Colonial Heights Arrest Records

Start at vacourts.gov for a free online search. Enter a name or case number to pull up records from Colonial Heights Circuit Court and General District Court. The system displays charges, court dates, and outcomes. No fee. No account required.

Colonial Heights has its own Circuit Court and General District Court. The Circuit Court handles felony cases and civil matters above the lower court threshold. The General District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and preliminary felony hearings. Because Colonial Heights is independent, all criminal cases from within city limits run through these city courts only.

For a certified statewide criminal history record, use the Virginia State Police CARE system. Form SP-167 covers personal and authorized third-party checks and requires a notarized signature. The fee is $15. Employers use form SP-230 for conviction-only data at $29. Forms are available at vsp.virginia.gov. Mail with payment to VSP in Richmond. Allow approximately 15 business days for processing.

If someone is in a state correctional facility, search the VADOC Offender Locator. For someone in the local city jail, call the Police Department. VADOC only shows state inmates, not local detainees.

Note: Expunged records, sealed records, juvenile cases, and certain protective order files are not visible in online searches. Contact the court clerk if a specific record is not showing up as expected.

Colonial Heights Court Records

The Colonial Heights Circuit Court is the city's trial court of general jurisdiction. It handles felony criminal cases, higher civil cases, and appeals from the General District Court. The clerk's office keeps official case files and can provide certified copies of court orders for a per-page fee. You can also search at public access terminals in the courthouse during business hours at no charge.

The General District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic cases, and felony preliminary hearings. It processes most criminal cases. Both courts are included in the Virginia Courts Case Information System online. For physical records or certified copies, visit the clerk's office in person with photo ID. Under § 19.2-389 of the Code of Virginia, the Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange is the statewide repository for criminal history information.

FOIA and Public Access

Virginia's FOIA law at § 2.2-3704 gives you the right to request government records. Records are presumed open unless an exemption applies. You do not need to say why you want them. Arrest identities and charges are public. Active investigation files and juvenile records are exempt. If a request is denied, the agency must cite the legal basis. For help, contact the Virginia FOIA Advisory Council at (804) 698-1810.

Expungement of Colonial Heights Arrest Records

Virginia's expungement statute at § 19.2-392.2 lets you petition for sealing of an arrest record in Colonial Heights Circuit Court if you were acquitted, if the charge was dismissed or nolle prosequi, or if you were arrested but never charged and the record causes you concrete harm. Absolute pardon recipients may also be eligible.

Virginia generally bars expungement of convictions. The law is strict on this point, with limited new exceptions taking effect in July 2025 for some misdemeanor and felony convictions after waiting periods pass. To file in Colonial Heights, petition the Circuit Court, submit fingerprints through VSP, and serve the Commonwealth's Attorney. Filing fees apply. The court may schedule a hearing if there is opposition.

Nearby Independent Cities

Colonial Heights is in the Richmond metro area, near Hopewell and Emporia.