Botetourt County Arrest Records Search

Botetourt County arrest records are maintained by the Sheriff's Office in Fincastle, Virginia, and can be searched through the Virginia Courts Case Information System online, by visiting the county courthouse, or by submitting a written request to the Sheriff's Office. This county north of Roanoke uses the same statewide public records framework as all Virginia counties, giving access to booking records, court case information, and certified criminal history reports through the Virginia State Police CARE system.

Botetourt County Sheriff's Office

The Botetourt County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement and detention services for the county. The office maintains arrest records and jail booking information for all individuals detained in Botetourt County. If you need a specific arrest record, staff can help you locate it or tell you which state agency to contact for a certified criminal history report.

Records requests can be submitted in person at the office or by mail. 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 formal written FOIA request. Fees may apply for copies.

Botetourt County is adjacent to the independent cities of Roanoke and Salem to the south. Cases that occur within those city limits go through those city court systems. If you are not finding a record in Botetourt County, check whether the incident may have taken place in Roanoke or Salem. The state case search tool at vacourts.gov lets you search all Virginia jurisdictions at once by name.

How to Search Botetourt County Arrest Records

The free way to search is the Virginia Courts Case Information System at vacourts.gov. Search by name or case number across Circuit Court and General District Court records. The system shows charge details, hearing dates, and case dispositions. No account or fee is needed.

For a certified official criminal history, use the Virginia State Police CARE system. File form SP-167 with notarized signatures from both the requester and the subject. The fee is $15. Mail the completed form and payment to the VSP CARE office in Richmond. Processing takes about 15 business days. Forms and instructions are at vsp.virginia.gov.

For state prison inmates, 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 Botetourt County jail, call the Sheriff's Office directly.

In-person searches at the courthouse in Fincastle are available. Both the Circuit Court clerk's office and the General District Court have public terminals during business hours. Bring a photo ID and any case information. Certified copies cost a per-page fee. Staff can pull older records not yet in the online system.

Note: Online case records may not reflect sealed or expunged records, juvenile cases, or certain protective orders. For precise information on a specific case, contact the court clerk directly.

Botetourt County Court Records

Botetourt County has a Circuit Court and a General District Court in Fincastle. The two courts handle different types of criminal cases and keep separate public records searchable online or at the courthouse.

The Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, including trials and sentencing, and reviews appeals from the General District Court. Felony records for Botetourt County are at the Circuit Court. Search online via vacourts.gov or visit the clerk's office. Certified copies of orders carry a per-page fee.

The General District Court handles misdemeanor cases, traffic violations, and preliminary felony hearings. Both courts' records can be searched through the state online tool. Under Virginia Code § 19.2-389, the Central Criminal Records Exchange at the Virginia State Police is the official statewide repository for criminal history records. Local court records are public, but certified history reports require the VSP CARE process.

Botetourt County also has a growing population along its southern end near Roanoke. If you are searching for a record and are not sure whether it was filed in Botetourt or in Roanoke city, use the name search at vacourts.gov. That tool will surface the case from whichever jurisdiction filed it.

FOIA and Public Access in Botetourt County

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

Write to the records custodian at the agency that holds the records you want. You do not need to explain your reason for the request. Describe the records with enough detail that staff can find them. Include the person's name, approximate dates, and the type of record. Fees must reflect actual cost for copies and staff time. If the expected cost exceeds $200, the agency may ask for a deposit first.

Virginia law requires that the identity of arrested persons, the charges filed, and the status of those charges be released on request. Active investigations and juvenile records are exempt. If you need FOIA help, the FOIA Advisory Council offers free guidance at (804) 698-1810 or foiacouncil@dls.virginia.gov.

Expungement of Botetourt County Arrest Records

Virginia allows certain arrest records to be expunged under § 19.2-392.2. You may petition if you were acquitted, if the charge was dismissed or nolle prosequi, or if you were arrested but never charged and the record is inaccurate or harmful. Those who received an absolute pardon after conviction may also qualify in some cases.

Virginia does not generally allow expungement of convictions. If found guilty, the record stays public in most cases. Starting in July 2025, certain misdemeanor and some felony convictions may qualify for automatic sealing under new state law after required waiting periods.

To petition in Botetourt County, file with the Circuit Court in Fincastle. Include arrest details and the legal grounds for your request. You must submit fingerprints through the Virginia State Police. The Commonwealth's Attorney receives a copy and may oppose the petition. If opposed, the court holds a hearing. Clerk filing fees apply. Read the full statute at the Virginia General Assembly's Code search tool.

Cities Near Botetourt County

Botetourt County borders the independent cities of Roanoke and Salem to the south. Both are separate jurisdictions with their own police departments, courts, and jails. Cases originating inside Roanoke or Salem city limits go through those cities' court systems. All county cases go through the Botetourt County courts in Fincastle.

Nearby Counties

Botetourt County is located in western central Virginia. If the arrest or incident may have occurred just outside Botetourt County, check these surrounding counties.