Find Radford Arrest Records

Arrest records for the City of Radford are maintained by the Radford Police Department, the primary law enforcement agency for this independent Virginia city. Radford is separate from Montgomery County and operates its own court system. Search court records free at vacourts.gov, or request certified criminal history through the Virginia State Police CARE system.

Radford Police Department

The Radford Police Department handles all law enforcement in the city and maintains local arrest records. Radford is an independent city, so Montgomery County law enforcement does not operate within city limits. The police department is your first stop for local arrest records, incident reports, and booking information.

To request an arrest record, contact the department in person or by mail. Include the full name, approximate arrest date, and a case number if you have it. Some requests need formal FOIA submissions. Staff can explain the process and fees. The department is located in downtown Radford.

Radford shares a judicial circuit with Montgomery County. Records are filed separately for each jurisdiction. For statewide criminal history, use the Virginia State Police CARE system.

Searching Radford Criminal Records

Use the Virginia Courts Case Information System at vacourts.gov to search Radford court records for free. Enter a name or case number to find Circuit Court and General District Court results. Charges, hearing dates, and dispositions are visible without any fee or account.

For certified criminal history, submit form SP-167 to the Virginia State Police with a notarized signature and $15 fee. Processing is about 15 business days. Forms are at vsp.virginia.gov. Employers use form SP-230 for applicant background checks, which costs $27 and covers conviction data only.

For state prison inmates, check the VADOC Offender Locator. For local jail information, contact the Radford Police Department or the New River Valley Regional Jail.

You can also visit the Radford Circuit Court or General District Court in person. Bring photo ID. Public terminals are available during business hours.

Radford City Court Records

Radford has its own Circuit Court and General District Court as an independent city. Criminal cases from the city go through these courts, not the Montgomery County courts, even though the two jurisdictions share a judicial circuit.

The Circuit Court handles felony cases and appeals. Felony records are at the clerk's office and searchable online. Certified copies carry a per-page fee.

The General District Court handles misdemeanor cases, traffic violations, and preliminary felony hearings. Both courts are searchable through the Virginia Judiciary's online portal. Under Virginia Code § 19.2-389, all criminal history records are maintained statewide by the Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange, including all Radford cases.

FOIA Requests in Radford

Under § 2.2-3704, you have the right to request public records from Radford city agencies. Police records, arrest logs, and incident reports are covered. Agencies must respond within five working days. Records are presumed open unless an exemption applies.

Write a FOIA request to the Radford Police Department. Describe the records with the subject's name, dates, and type. No reason is needed. Fees are limited to actual costs. Deposits may apply for fees over $200.

Arrest identities and charges are public. Active investigations and juvenile records are exempt. Call the Virginia FOIA Advisory Council at (804) 698-1810 for free help.

Expungement in Radford

Virginia Code § 19.2-392.2 allows expungement for dismissed charges, acquittals, and arrests without charges. Convictions are generally not eligible, but new laws from July 2025 allow sealing of some convictions after waiting periods.

File your petition at the Radford Circuit Court. Include arrest details and your legal basis. Fingerprints through the Virginia State Police are required. Filing fees apply. The Commonwealth's Attorney receives notice and may oppose. A hearing follows if there is an objection.

Legal aid organizations in the New River Valley area can advise you on eligibility and help with the filing process.

Nearby Independent Cities

Radford is in the New River Valley in southwestern Virginia. Other nearby independent Virginia cities with separate arrest record systems are listed below.