Dinwiddie County Arrest Records

Dinwiddie County arrest records are maintained by the Sheriff's Office in Dinwiddie, Virginia, and can be accessed through the Virginia Courts Case Information System, in-person visits to the courthouse, or written requests to the relevant agency. This page explains the main ways to find arrest records in Dinwiddie County, what public records are available, how to submit a formal FOIA request, and what you need to know about expungement under Virginia law.

Dinwiddie County Sheriff's Office

The Dinwiddie County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency in the county. It processes all arrests made within Dinwiddie County and maintains booking records at the county jail. If you need a local arrest record, this office is the right place to start. Staff can check whether someone was arrested, what they were charged with, and when the arrest happened.

Requests can be made in person or by mail. When asking for a specific record, include the full name of the person, the approximate date of the arrest, and any case number you have. The office handles records requests during regular business hours. Some requests may require a formal written request under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. Copying fees may apply.

The Sheriff's Office can confirm whether someone is currently held at the county jail. For a complete statewide criminal history, you will need to contact the Virginia State Police through their CARE system. The local office can direct you to the proper forms and walk you through the process if needed.

How to Search Dinwiddie County Arrest Records

The free option for searching court records is the Virginia Courts Case Information System at vacourts.gov. This statewide tool lets you search by name or case number across Circuit Court and General District Court records. You can see charges, court dates, and dispositions. No account or fee is required.

For official certified criminal history records, use the Virginia State Police CARE system. Complete form SP-167 to request your own record or another person's with notarized consent. The fee is $15 per search. Send the form with payment to the VSP office in Richmond. Processing takes roughly 15 business days. Full details are at vsp.virginia.gov.

Looking for someone in a state correctional facility? Use the VADOC Offender Locator. For someone held at the local Dinwiddie County jail, contact the Sheriff's Office directly by phone or in person.

In-person searches are possible at the county courthouse. Go to the Circuit Court or General District Court in Dinwiddie and ask the clerk to pull records. Public access terminals are usually available during business hours. Bring photo ID and any details you have about the case.

Keep in mind that sealed, expunged, and juvenile records will not appear in online searches. Active investigations may be withheld under FOIA exemptions. The VSP CARE system gives the most complete picture of a person's criminal history in Virginia.

Dinwiddie County Court Records

Dinwiddie County has both a Circuit Court and a General District Court. Both are in Dinwiddie, the county seat. Each handles different types of criminal matters and keeps its own public records.

The Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, trials, and sentencing. It also takes appeals from the General District Court. If someone was charged with a felony in Dinwiddie County, the case record will be at the Circuit Court. You can search these records online through the Virginia Courts Case Information System or visit the clerk's office in person for certified copies.

The General District Court handles misdemeanor charges, traffic offenses, and preliminary hearings on felony cases. This court handles a high volume of cases each day. You can search General District Court records the same way, through the same online tool. Under Virginia Code § 19.2-389, criminal history records are maintained centrally by the Virginia State Police through the Central Criminal Records Exchange. The Virginia Judiciary case search tool covers both court levels statewide.

For certified paper copies of case records, visit the clerk's office in person. Staff can tell you the per-page copy fee and accepted payment methods. Most non-sealed records are open to the public.

FOIA and Public Access in Dinwiddie County

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

Send a written request to the records custodian at the appropriate office. You don't need to explain why you want the records. Describe them clearly enough for staff to find them. Include the person's name, approximate dates, and the type of record. Agencies can charge for actual copy and staff costs but cannot add extra fees beyond that.

Under Virginia law, the identity of arrested persons and charges against them are public records. Active investigations are exempt from release. Juvenile records are confidential. If your request is expected to cost more than $200, the office may ask for a deposit. For questions about the FOIA process, contact the FOIA Advisory Council at (804) 698-1810.

Note: A 2021 amendment expanded access to certain investigative files once an investigation is no longer active. Agencies may take up to 60 additional work days to fulfill those specific requests.

Expungement of Dinwiddie County Arrest Records

Virginia's expungement law at § 19.2-392.2 allows certain arrest records to be sealed from public view. You may qualify if you were acquitted, if the charge was dismissed or nolle prosequi, or if you were arrested but not charged and the record is inaccurate or misleading. An absolute pardon after a wrongful conviction can also qualify.

Virginia generally does not allow expungement of convictions. If you were found guilty, the record stays. New laws effective July 2025 created a separate automatic sealing process for certain misdemeanor and felony convictions after set waiting periods. This is not the same as expungement and applies under different rules.

To file for expungement in Dinwiddie County, petition the Circuit Court. Your petition must describe the arrest and explain the legal basis for sealing the record. You will need to submit fingerprints through the Virginia State Police. The Commonwealth's Attorney receives a copy and can oppose the petition. A hearing will be held if there is opposition. Filing fees apply at the clerk's office. The full statute is at Virginia General Assembly's code search tool.

Cities Near Dinwiddie County

Dinwiddie County sits south of the city of Petersburg in central Virginia. Petersburg is an independent city that borders Dinwiddie County but operates its own court system. Colonial Heights is another nearby independent city. All criminal cases within the county boundaries go through the Dinwiddie County court system in Dinwiddie.

Nearby Counties

Dinwiddie County is in south-central Virginia, adjacent to several other counties. Make sure you are searching in the right county for your case.