Montgomery County Arrest Records

Montgomery County arrest records are kept by the Sheriff's Office in Christiansburg, Virginia, and are accessible through the county's law enforcement office, the Virginia Courts Case Information System, and formal records requests. The county is located in the New River Valley region of southwest Virginia and includes the city of Blacksburg, home of Virginia Tech. Whether you need to look up a criminal case, find a booking record, or get a certified copy of a court document, this guide walks you through each option and points you to the right offices and online tools for Montgomery County.

Montgomery County Sheriff's Office

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for the county and the primary keeper of local arrest records. The office handles booking records, jail records, and incident reports for people detained at the county facility. Staff can help you locate a specific record or point you toward the right state agency for broader criminal history searches. The main office is in Christiansburg, which is also the county seat.

Montgomery County covers a large and diverse area. It surrounds the independent city of Radford, and it includes Blacksburg, home to Virginia Tech, one of the largest universities in the state. Because of the university population, the county sees a mix of criminal case types. The Sheriff's Office handles records from unincorporated parts of the county. The Blacksburg Police Department and Virginia Tech Police handle incidents on campus or inside the town of Blacksburg. If your case involves a town or campus, contact the right agency first. For county-level arrest records, the Sheriff's Office is the place to start.

When you contact the office, have the full name of the person, the approximate date of the arrest, and any case or booking number you know. Written requests are handled under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. Fees may apply for copies. The office also participates in the New River Valley Regional Jail, which serves Montgomery County and several nearby counties including Pulaski, Giles, Floyd, and Craig. For current custody information, you can ask the Sheriff's Office directly.

Searching Montgomery County Arrest Records

You have a few solid options for searching arrest records in Montgomery County. The fastest free tool is the Virginia Courts Case Information System at vacourts.gov. This statewide database lets you search by name or case number across both Circuit Court and General District Court records. It shows charge descriptions, hearing dates, and case outcomes. No account or fee is needed to use it.

The Virginia State Police runs the Civil and Applicant Records Exchange, also called CARE. This system gives you a statewide criminal history check that covers all Virginia agencies, not just local ones. To request records through CARE, you use form SP-167. For your own records, you submit the form with a notarized signature and a $15 fee. For someone else's records, you need notarized consent from that person. Mail everything to the Virginia State Police in Richmond. Processing usually takes about 15 business days. All forms and details are at vsp.virginia.gov.

If you want to check whether someone is in state custody right now, the VADOC Offender Locator covers Virginia Department of Corrections inmates. For local jail information, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office handles current detention status.

Court Records in Montgomery County

Montgomery County has both a Circuit Court and a General District Court. They sit in Christiansburg and handle different levels of criminal cases. Both are searchable through the state's free online system, and both maintain public case files you can review in person.

The Circuit Court handles felony cases, jury trials, and appeals from the lower court. Any major criminal case in Montgomery County will have its records at the Circuit Court clerk's office. The clerk can provide certified copies of orders, judgments, and warrants. Certified copies require a per-page fee. Under Virginia law, § 19.2-389 governs how criminal history record information is kept and disseminated across the state. The Central Criminal Records Exchange at the Virginia State Police is the official repository for statewide records.

The General District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and preliminary felony hearings. This court processes a high volume of cases each year. You can search its records online or visit the clerk in person. Both courts use the same Virginia Courts Case Information System for public access. Staff at either clerk's office can help you find what you need if you provide enough identifying information.

The Virginia Judiciary's online case search is the easiest starting point for most people. It is free, available any time, and covers courts across the entire state. Bring valid photo ID when visiting the courthouse in person.

FOIA and Public Access to Montgomery County Records

Virginia's Freedom of Information Act, codified at § 2.2-3704 of the Code of Virginia, gives any person the right to request and receive copies of public government records. This applies to arrest records held by the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, the court clerk's offices, and other county agencies. The law presumes records are open unless a specific exemption applies. Government agencies must respond to your request within five working days.

To make a FOIA request, write to the records custodian for the agency that holds the records you want. You do not need to explain your reason for asking. Describe the records with enough specificity for the agency to find them: the person's name, approximate dates, and the type of document. The agency may charge for the cost of staff time and copies but cannot add extra fees beyond actual cost.

Virginia law makes arrest identities and charge information public. The identity of a person arrested, the charges filed against them, and the status of those charges must be released. Exceptions apply to active criminal investigations and juvenile cases. If you run into problems or have questions about how FOIA works, the Virginia FOIA Advisory Council offers free guidance by phone at (804) 698-1810 or by email at foiacouncil@dls.virginia.gov.

The Virginia State Police also has its own FOIA portal. You can submit requests directly through the VSP website for records they hold, including certain investigative files not available through local offices.

Expungement in Virginia

Virginia law allows some arrest records to be sealed from public access through the expungement process. Under § 19.2-392.2, you can petition for expungement if your charges were dismissed, if you were acquitted at trial, if the case was nolle prosequi, or if you were arrested but the record is inaccurate or misleading. People who received an absolute pardon after a wrongful conviction may also apply.

Virginia's expungement law has historically been narrow. If you were convicted of a crime, you generally cannot expunge that conviction. This is more restrictive than many other states. However, Virginia passed new legislation that took effect in stages. Starting in July 2025, certain misdemeanor and lower-level felony convictions may qualify for automatic sealing after specific waiting periods. The rules are detailed, and eligibility depends on the type of charge and how much time has passed.

To file for expungement of a Montgomery County arrest record, you petition the Montgomery County Circuit Court in Christiansburg. The petition must include the details of the arrest, the grounds for expungement, and a copy of your fingerprints submitted through the Virginia State Police. The Commonwealth's Attorney will receive a copy and has the right to oppose the petition. If contested, the court sets a hearing. Filing fees apply at the clerk's office. The full text of the expungement statute is available at the Virginia General Assembly's online code.

The Virginia State Police maintains the statewide criminal history database and processes official criminal record requests for Montgomery County and all other Virginia jurisdictions.

For court case lookups, the Virginia Judiciary Case Information system is the free public search tool that covers Montgomery County Circuit and General District Court records.

Cities Near Montgomery County

Montgomery County borders the independent city of Radford, which has its own court system separate from the county. No qualifying independent cities are within Montgomery County itself. Criminal cases from unincorporated parts of the county go through the Montgomery County court system in Christiansburg. The city of Radford handles its own criminal cases through the Radford Circuit Court and General District Court.

Nearby Counties

Montgomery County sits in the New River Valley and shares borders with several southwest Virginia counties. If you are unsure which jurisdiction handled an arrest or court case, check the address of the incident or look up the case in the Virginia Courts system.