Arrest Records in Alleghany County

Alleghany County arrest records are maintained by the Sheriff's Office in Covington, Virginia, and can be searched through the Virginia Courts Case Information System online, by visiting the courthouse in person, or by submitting a written request to the Sheriff's Office. The county sits in the Allegheny Highlands region of western Virginia and handles all criminal arrest records through the same statewide public records framework used across the Commonwealth, giving you access to booking records, court case details, and certified criminal history reports through official state channels.

Alleghany County Sheriff's Office

The Alleghany County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for the county and serves as the first stop for arrest record requests. The office maintains booking records, incident reports, and jail records for individuals who have been detained at the county facility. Deputies handle both patrol duties and detention operations, and staff can help you find a specific arrest record or direct you to the right state agency for a certified criminal history report.

You can submit a records request in person at the office or by mail. When asking for a specific arrest record, include the full name of the person, the approximate date of the arrest, and any case number you have. The office processes requests during normal business hours. Some records require a written request under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. Fees may apply for copies made by staff.

Alleghany County is a consolidated county-city area that works closely with the City of Covington on law enforcement. If you are looking for arrest records tied to incidents inside city limits, contact both the Sheriff's Office and Covington police. For a certified statewide criminal history report, you will need the Virginia State Police CARE system rather than just the local office.

How to Search Alleghany County Arrest Records

The free way to search arrest and court records in Alleghany County is through the Virginia Courts Case Information System at vacourts.gov. This tool lets you look up cases by name or case number across both Circuit Court and General District Court. It shows charges, hearing dates, and case outcomes. No account or fee is required.

For an official, certified criminal history record, you use the Virginia State Police Civil and Applicant Records Exchange (CARE) system. Individuals submit form SP-167, which requires notarized signatures from both the requester and the subject. The fee is $15 per search. Mail the completed form with payment to the Virginia State Police CARE office in Richmond. Processing takes about 15 business days. Full instructions and forms are at vsp.virginia.gov.

If someone is currently in state prison, the VADOC Offender Locator lets you search by name or DOC number. That tool does not cover local jail holds. For someone held at the Alleghany County jail, call the Sheriff's Office directly.

You can also search in person at the courthouse. The Circuit Court clerk's office and General District Court both have public access terminals during business hours. Bring photo ID and any case information you have. Certified copies of court orders cost a small fee per page. The clerks can pull records for you if the terminals are occupied or if the case is older and not yet in the online system.

Note: Online case records may not show sealed or expunged records, juvenile cases, or protective order proceedings. Always confirm sensitive information with the court clerk directly.

Alleghany County Court Records

Alleghany County has a Circuit Court and a General District Court, both located in Covington. The two courts handle different types of criminal cases and maintain separate public records that can be searched online or in person.

The Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, including trials and sentencing. It also handles appeals from the General District Court. If a person was charged with a felony in Alleghany County, that case record lives at the Circuit Court. You can look up these records through the Virginia Courts Case Information System or by visiting the clerk's office in person. The clerk can make certified copies of court orders and judgments for a fee per page.

The General District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings on felony charges. This court sees more cases day to day than the Circuit Court. You can search General District Court records using the same online case search tool. Under Virginia Code § 19.2-389, criminal history record information is maintained at the state level through the Central Criminal Records Exchange run by the Virginia State Police. Local court records are public and open to search, but certified history reports come from the state system.

The Alleghany County courts share facilities with the City of Covington in some cases. If you are searching for a case and cannot find it in the county system, check whether it was filed under the city court jurisdiction as well. The online search tool at vacourts.gov covers all Virginia courts in one place, so searching by name will surface results from either jurisdiction.

FOIA and Public Access in Alleghany County

Virginia's Freedom of Information Act, found at § 2.2-3704 of the Code of Virginia, gives citizens the right to request government records including arrest records. The law presumes all public records are open unless a specific exemption applies. The Alleghany County Sheriff's Office and court clerks must respond to your FOIA request within five working days.

To submit a FOIA request, write to the records custodian at the agency that holds the records you want. You do not need to state a reason. Just describe the records with enough detail for staff to find them. Include the name of the person, approximate dates, and the type of record you are seeking. The agency can charge for staff time and copies, but fees cannot exceed actual cost. If your request is expected to cost more than $200, the agency may ask for a deposit before proceeding.

Arrest identities and charges are public under Virginia law. The law requires that the identity of arrested persons, the charges against them, and the status of those charges be released on request. Active criminal investigations are exempt. Juvenile records are confidential. If you need help with the FOIA process in Alleghany County, the FOIA Advisory Council can answer questions at (804) 698-1810 or foiacouncil@dls.virginia.gov.

Expungement of Alleghany County Arrest Records

Virginia law allows certain arrest records to be expunged, which means they are sealed from public access. Under § 19.2-392.2, you may petition for expungement if you were acquitted of the charges, if the charge was dismissed or nolle prosequi, or if you were arrested but never charged and the record is causing harm. People who received an absolute pardon after conviction may also qualify in certain circumstances.

Virginia generally does not allow expungement of convictions. If you were found guilty, you usually cannot erase that record. This makes the state more restrictive than many others. Starting in July 2025, however, certain misdemeanor and felony convictions may qualify for automatic sealing under new state law after required waiting periods pass.

To file for expungement in Alleghany County, you petition the Circuit Court in Covington. Your petition must include details about the arrest and the legal grounds for your request. You will also need to submit fingerprints through the Virginia State Police to verify your identity. The Commonwealth's Attorney gets a copy of the petition and can oppose it. If there is opposition, the court schedules a hearing. Filing fees apply at the clerk's office. The full text of the expungement statute is available through the Virginia General Assembly's Code search tool.

Cities Near Alleghany County

Alleghany County borders the independent City of Covington, which operates as a separate jurisdiction under Virginia law. Criminal cases originating inside Covington city limits go through the Covington court system rather than the county courts. The nearby City of Clifton Forge was reincorporated as a town within Alleghany County in 2001. All cases from the former city now go through Alleghany County courts.

Nearby Counties

Alleghany County sits in western Virginia near the West Virginia border. Check the adjacent counties below if the arrest you are researching may have occurred just outside Alleghany County lines.