Craig County Arrest Records

Craig County arrest records are maintained by the Sheriff's Office in New Castle, Virginia. You can search criminal case records free of charge through the Virginia Courts Case Information System, request certified criminal history through the Virginia State Police, or contact the Craig County Sheriff's Office directly for local arrest and booking records. Craig County is one of Virginia's smallest counties by population, but its records system follows the same public access rules that apply statewide under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and Virginia Code.

Craig County Sheriff's Office

The Craig County Sheriff's Office in New Castle is the primary law enforcement agency for the county and the first contact point for arrest record requests. The office keeps booking records, incident reports, and jail records for anyone detained at the county level. Staff can help you find a specific arrest record or direct you to the right resource for a broader background check.

You can submit records requests in person or by mail. Give as much detail as you can when requesting a record: the full name of the person, the approximate date of arrest, and a case number if you have one. Some requests may need to be submitted under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, and fees may apply for copies. The office handles these requests during regular business hours.

For a full statewide criminal history report, the Virginia State Police CARE system is the official source. The Sheriff's Office can point you to the right forms if you need a statewide check rather than a local record only. Craig County is a small, rural county and some searches will require going through state-level systems rather than county databases.

How to Search Craig County Arrest Records

The free starting point for any search is the Virginia Courts Case Information System at vacourts.gov. You can search by name or case number and view charges, hearing dates, and case outcomes for both Circuit Court and General District Court records. No account or fee is required.

For certified criminal history records, the Virginia State Police runs the Civil and Applicant Records Exchange, known as CARE. Individuals use form SP-167 to request their own records or those of another person with proper notarized consent. The fee is $15 per name search. Mail your completed form with payment to the VSP office in Richmond. Processing takes around 15 business days. Forms and instructions are at vsp.virginia.gov.

To find someone held at a state prison, use the VADOC Offender Locator. For a person held locally, contact the Craig County Sheriff's Office directly. The county is small and staff can usually assist quickly with local custody inquiries.

In-person searches are available at the Craig County courthouse in New Castle. You can visit the Circuit Court or General District Court clerk and ask to pull a record. Public access terminals are often available during business hours. Bring a photo ID and any details you have about the case.

Note that sealed records, expunged cases, juvenile proceedings, and certain protective orders will not appear in online court searches. The online system covers public records only.

Craig County Court Records

Craig County has a Circuit Court and a General District Court, both located in New Castle. These courts handle different types of criminal cases, and both maintain public records that can be searched online or in person.

The Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, including jury trials and sentencing. It also handles appeals from the General District Court. Felony charges filed in Craig County go through the Circuit Court. You can look up Circuit Court records online through the Virginia Courts Case Information System or visit the clerk in New Castle. The clerk provides certified copies for a per-page fee.

The General District Court handles misdemeanor cases, traffic offenses, and preliminary hearings on felony charges. This court handles the most day-to-day criminal matters. Both courts are searchable through the same online system. Under Virginia law at § 19.2-389, criminal history records are centralized through the Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange. That statewide database is the authoritative source for background checks.

Craig County is part of the 25th Judicial Circuit, which also serves Roanoke County, Roanoke City, Salem, and other surrounding localities. The Circuit Court clerk is located at the courthouse in New Castle.

FOIA and Public Access in Craig County

Virginia's Freedom of Information Act, at § 2.2-3704 of the Code of Virginia, gives the public the right to request government records including arrest records. The law presumes all records are open unless a specific exemption applies. Craig County agencies must respond to FOIA requests within five working days.

To request records, send a written request to the agency that holds them. Describe the records clearly enough for staff to locate them. Include the name of the subject, approximate dates, and the type of record you need. You do not have to explain why you want the records. The agency can grant the request, deny it with a legal reason, or ask for more time if the request is large.

Under Virginia FOIA, the identity of an arrested person, the charge filed, and the current status of that charge are public information. Active criminal investigations may be withheld. Juvenile records are kept confidential. If your request is expected to cost more than $200, the agency may ask for a deposit. For help with the FOIA process, contact the FOIA Advisory Council at (804) 698-1810.

Expungement of Craig County Arrest Records

Virginia allows certain arrest records to be expunged. Under § 19.2-392.2, you may petition for expungement if you were acquitted, if the charge was dismissed or nolle prosequi, if you were arrested but never charged and the record is causing harm, or if you received an absolute pardon after a conviction.

Virginia generally does not allow expungement of convictions. If you were found guilty, the conviction stays on your record in most cases. New state legislation effective July 2025 may allow certain misdemeanor and felony convictions to be automatically sealed after applicable waiting periods, but those rules are still being applied statewide.

To file for expungement in Craig County, petition the Circuit Court in New Castle. Your petition must describe the arrest and state the legal basis for your request. You will need to submit fingerprints through the Virginia State Police to verify your identity and pull the relevant record. The Commonwealth's Attorney gets a copy and can oppose the petition. If opposed, the court schedules a hearing. Filing fees apply at the clerk's office. The full expungement statute is at the Virginia General Assembly's Code search tool.

Cities and Towns in Craig County

Craig County is a rural mountain county in southwest Virginia. New Castle serves as the county seat and hub for court filings and government services. There are no independent cities within Craig County. All criminal cases arising in the county go through the Craig County court system in New Castle.

Nearby Counties

Craig County sits in the Allegheny Mountains in southwest Virginia. Use the links below to find records in neighboring counties if you are unsure where an arrest took place.