Access New Kent County Arrest Records
New Kent County arrest records are maintained by the Sheriff's Office in New Kent, Virginia, and can be accessed through the Virginia Courts Case Information System online, by visiting the county courthouse, or by submitting a written records request by mail. Virginia's public records laws give you free access to court case details through the state judiciary website, while certified criminal history records are available from the Virginia State Police for $15 per search.
New Kent County Overview
New Kent County Sheriff's Office
The New Kent County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the county and holds arrest records, booking records, and jail records for the county detention facility. For questions about a specific arrest or to check if someone is in local custody, contact the Sheriff's Office first.
Records can be requested in person or by mail. Include the full name of the person, the approximate arrest date, and any case number if you have one. The office processes requests during regular business hours Monday through Friday. Some records may require a formal FOIA request, and fees may apply for copies. Staff can also direct you toward the Virginia State Police system for statewide criminal history information.
| Office | New Kent County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 65, New Kent, VA 23124 |
| Phone | (804) 966-9500 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Local criminal history checks are available for arrests made within New Kent County. For a statewide record covering all Virginia agencies, you need to use the Virginia State Police CARE system. The SP-167 form requires notarization and a $15 fee. The Sheriff's Office can help direct you to the right forms and process.
How to Search New Kent County Arrest Records
The free online tool 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. No account or fee is required.
For certified criminal history records, 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. Find forms and instructions at vsp.virginia.gov.
For state prison inmates, use the free VADOC Offender Locator. For someone at the local jail, call the New Kent County Sheriff's Office at (804) 966-9500.
The Virginia Sex Offender Registry is searchable by name or zip code at no charge on the VSP website. The registry is statewide and includes photos and conviction details.
In-person searches are available at the Circuit Court or General District Court clerk's office in New Kent during business hours. Bring photo ID and any case information you have. Public access terminals are typically available at the courthouse.
Note: Online case records do not include sealed or expunged cases, juvenile matters, or certain domestic relations records.New Kent County Court Records
New Kent County has both a Circuit Court and a General District Court, each handling different types of criminal matters. Both maintain public records accessible online or in person at the courthouse in New Kent.
The Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, trials, sentencing, and appeals from the General District Court. Felony case records from New Kent County are at the Circuit Court. Search them for free through the Virginia Judiciary online case search, or visit the clerk's office for certified copies. Per-page fees apply for certified documents.
The General District Court handles misdemeanor cases, traffic violations, and preliminary felony hearings. Under Virginia Code § 19.2-389, all criminal history records are maintained statewide through the Central Criminal Records Exchange. Both courts in New Kent County are covered by the statewide online search tool. For older records not available online, visiting the courthouse is the best approach.
FOIA and Public Access in New Kent County
Virginia's Freedom of Information Act at § 2.2-3704 gives you the right to request government records including arrest records. Public records are presumed open unless a specific exemption applies. The New Kent County Sheriff's Office and court clerks must respond to FOIA requests within five working days.
To submit a FOIA request, write to the records custodian at the agency holding the record. You don't need to explain why. Describe the records clearly so the agency can find them. Include the name, approximate dates, and type of record. Fees are limited to actual cost. If the request exceeds $200, the agency may ask for a deposit first.
Virginia law requires disclosure of the identity of arrested persons, the charges against them, and the status of those charges. Active investigations are exempt. Juvenile records are confidential. For FOIA help, contact the FOIA Advisory Council at (804) 698-1810 or foiacouncil@dls.virginia.gov.
Note: Virginia's 2021 FOIA amendment opened access to closed criminal investigative files. Agencies handling those requests may take up to 60 additional work days to respond.Expungement of New Kent 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. An absolute pardon may also qualify in certain cases.
Virginia expungement does not generally apply to convictions. If you were found guilty, that record stays. Starting in July 2025, new state laws allow certain misdemeanor and some felony convictions to be automatically sealed after applicable waiting periods. This is an important change from prior Virginia law.
To file for expungement in New Kent County, petition the Circuit Court in New Kent. Include arrest details and the legal grounds for your request. You will also need to submit fingerprints through the Virginia State Police. The Commonwealth's Attorney receives notice and can oppose the petition. A hearing follows if there is a dispute. Filing fees apply at the clerk's office. Read the full statute at the Virginia General Assembly Code search.
Cities and Towns in New Kent County
New Kent County is located between Richmond and Williamsburg in eastern Virginia. The county seat is New Kent. There are no independent cities within New Kent County that meet the qualifying population threshold for separate city pages. All criminal cases from New Kent County are handled through the county court system.
Nearby Counties
New Kent County sits between the Richmond metro area and the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. Check the county where the arrest occurred to find the right records office.