Search Lee County Arrest Records

Lee County arrest records are maintained by the Sheriff's Office in Jonesville, Virginia, and are accessible through the Virginia Courts Case Information System online, by visiting the county courthouse in person, or by submitting a written records request. Virginia's public records laws apply uniformly across all counties, so court case information is free to search online while certified criminal history reports cost $15 through the Virginia State Police.

Lee County Sheriff's Office

The Lee County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the county, located in Jonesville in far southwestern Virginia. The office maintains arrest records, booking records, and jail records for the county detention facility. For questions about a specific arrest or to check local custody status, the Sheriff's Office is the right place to contact.

Records requests can be made in person or by mail. When requesting records, include the full name of the individual, the approximate arrest date, and any case number you have. The office processes requests during regular business hours Monday through Friday. Some requests may require a written FOIA request, and fees may apply for document copies. Staff can also help direct you to the Virginia State Police system for a statewide criminal history check.

Local criminal history checks are available for arrests made within Lee County. For a statewide criminal history record covering all Virginia agencies, use the VSP CARE system. The $15 fee applies per search, and fingerprint-based searches are also available. The Sheriff's Office can direct you to the proper forms and process.

How to Search Lee County Arrest Records

The best free option is the Virginia Courts Case Information System at vacourts.gov. Search by name or case number across Circuit Court and General District Court records statewide. You can see charges, hearing dates, and dispositions. There is no fee and no account required to use the tool.

For an official certified criminal history record, use the Virginia State Police CARE system. Complete form SP-167, have it notarized, and mail it with a $15 fee to VSP in Richmond. Standard processing is about 15 business days. Get forms and full instructions at vsp.virginia.gov. Employers and other authorized entities use form SP-230 instead.

For inmates in state prisons, the VADOC Offender Locator is free to use. For local jail inmates, call the Lee County Sheriff's Office at (276) 346-7711.

The Virginia Sex Offender Registry is searchable by name or zip code free on the VSP website. Coverage is statewide and includes photos and conviction details.

In-person searches at the Circuit Court or General District Court clerk's office in Jonesville are also available. Bring photo ID and case details if you have them. Public access terminals are available during courthouse business hours.

Lee County Court Records

Lee County has both a Circuit Court and a General District Court. Both maintain public records searchable online or available in person at the courthouse in Jonesville.

The Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, including trials, sentencing, and appeals from the General District Court. Felony case records from Lee County are maintained at the Circuit Court. Search them for free through the Virginia Judiciary online case search, or visit the clerk's office in person to request certified copies. Fees per page apply for certified documents.

The General District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and preliminary felony hearings. Under Virginia Code § 19.2-389, all criminal history record data is kept statewide through the Central Criminal Records Exchange. Both court levels in Lee County are accessible through the same online search tool, which makes it simple to find case information regardless of which court handled the matter.

FOIA and Public Access in Lee County

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

To make a FOIA request, write to the records custodian at the relevant agency. You don't need to say why you want the records. Describe them clearly so the agency can locate them. Include the person's name, approximate dates, and the type of record. Fees cannot exceed actual cost. If the request is expected to cost more than $200, the agency may ask for a deposit first.

Virginia law requires the identity of arrested persons, the charges against them, and the status of those charges to be disclosed. Active investigations are exempt. Juvenile records are confidential. For questions about FOIA, contact the FOIA Advisory Council at (804) 698-1810 or foiacouncil@dls.virginia.gov.

Expungement of Lee County Arrest Records

Under Virginia Code § 19.2-392.2, you can petition for expungement if you were acquitted, if the charge was dismissed or nolle prosequi, or if you were arrested but never formally charged and the record is misleading. A person who received an absolute pardon may also be eligible.

Virginia expungement does not generally apply to convictions. If you were found guilty, that record stays in place. Starting in July 2025, new state laws allow certain misdemeanor and some felony convictions to be automatically sealed after set waiting periods. This is a major change from prior Virginia law and affects many people with old conviction records.

To file for expungement in Lee County, petition the Circuit Court in Jonesville. Your petition must include details about the arrest and the legal grounds for expungement. You will also need to submit fingerprints through the Virginia State Police. The Commonwealth's Attorney will receive notice and may oppose the petition. A hearing may follow if there is opposition. Filing fees apply at the Circuit Court clerk's office. Read the full statute using the Virginia General Assembly Code search.

Cities and Towns in Lee County

Lee County is located in the far southwestern corner of Virginia, bordering Kentucky and Tennessee. The county seat is Jonesville. There are no independent cities within Lee County that meet the qualifying population threshold for separate city pages. All criminal cases from Lee County are handled through the county court system in Jonesville.

Nearby Counties

Lee County is in far southwest Virginia near the borders of Kentucky and Tennessee. Confirm the county where the arrest took place to find the right records office.