Richmond County Arrest Records

Richmond County arrest records are maintained by the Sheriff's Office in Warsaw, Virginia, and are accessible through the Virginia Courts Case Information System online, through formal records requests, or through the Virginia State Police criminal history program. Richmond County is a small rural county on Virginia's Northern Neck peninsula in the eastern part of the state. It is a separate jurisdiction from the City of Richmond. The county seat is Warsaw, and adults arrested in Richmond County are typically booked at the Northern Neck Regional Jail. This guide explains how to find arrest records in Richmond County.

Richmond County Sheriff's Office

The Richmond County Sheriff's Office in Warsaw is the primary law enforcement agency for the county. The office makes arrests, maintains incident reports, and manages the county's contribution to the Northern Neck Regional Jail, which serves several counties on the Northern Neck peninsula. Adults arrested in Richmond County are typically transported to and housed at the NNRJ.

The Northern Neck Regional Jail provides a free inmate roster that can be searched online by first or last name. The roster includes charges, personal information, and booking details. This is one of the faster ways to look up a current detainee in Richmond County.

According to Virginia State Police data, Richmond County recorded 90 total arrests in 2023. The Sheriff's Office made 71 of those, the State Police made 8, and the Warsaw Police Department made 11. Simple assault was the most common offense leading to arrest, followed by property damage and drug violations. These numbers reflect a 44 percent drop from the prior year.

In-person requests can be made at the Sheriff's Office in Warsaw. Include the subject's full name, approximate arrest date, and any case number you have. Formal written requests under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act may be needed for certain records.

How to Search Richmond County Arrest Records

The Virginia Courts Case Information System is free and available without any registration. Search by name or case number to see records from the Richmond County Circuit Court and General District Court in Warsaw. Results show charges, court dates, and case outcomes.

For current detainees held at the Northern Neck Regional Jail, the NNRJ inmate roster can be searched by name. The roster includes charges and booking details at no charge. This is often the fastest way to confirm if someone is currently held in connection with a Richmond County arrest.

For a certified criminal history record, use the Virginia State Police CARE system. Fill out form SP-167 and mail it to VSP in Richmond with a $15 fee. Instructions are at vsp.virginia.gov. Searching another person's history requires their notarized consent. Processing takes about 15 business days.

For state prison inmates, use the VADOC Offender Locator. In-person visits to the courthouse in Warsaw are available at both court levels during business hours. Bring photo ID and any case details you have. The Town of Warsaw also has a police department, and arrests made by Warsaw police go through the same county court system.

Sealed, expunged, and juvenile records are not accessible through public online searches. A formal court petition is required for those records.

Richmond County Court Records

Richmond County has a Circuit Court and a General District Court, both located in Warsaw. The two courts handle different levels of criminal cases and both maintain records that are publicly accessible online or in person.

The Circuit Court handles felony cases, trials, pleas, sentencing, and appeals from the General District Court. Felony case records for Richmond County are at the Circuit Court clerk's office in Warsaw. Certified copies of orders and judgments cost a per-page fee set by state law.

The General District Court handles misdemeanor cases, traffic violations, and initial hearings on felony charges. Warsaw Police Department arrests and Virginia State Police arrests in the county area all result in cases filed in these courts. Under § 19.2-389 of the Code of Virginia, statewide criminal history data is managed through the Central Criminal Records Exchange at the Virginia State Police.

FOIA and Public Access in Richmond County

The Virginia Freedom of Information Act at § 2.2-3704 gives you the right to request government records from public agencies, including arrest information. All records are presumed open unless a specific exemption applies. Richmond County agencies must respond to FOIA requests within five working days.

Submit a written request to the records custodian at the relevant agency. No reason is needed. Include the person's name, the type of record, and relevant dates. Agencies may charge for actual copying and staff time costs only. If estimated costs exceed $200, they may require a deposit.

Virginia law makes arrested persons' identities and charges public information. Active investigations are exempt. Juvenile records are confidential. The Virginia FOIA Advisory Council can help at (804) 698-1810 or foiacouncil@dls.virginia.gov.

Note: A 2021 update to Virginia FOIA expanded access to closed criminal investigation files. Agencies may take up to 60 additional work days to respond to those specific requests.

Expungement of Richmond County Arrest Records

Virginia law allows some arrest records to be sealed through expungement. Under § 19.2-392.2, you may petition if you were acquitted, if charges were dismissed or nolle prosequi, or if you were arrested but never charged and the record is causing harm. An absolute pardon after conviction may also qualify you.

Most convictions are not eligible for expungement under current Virginia law. The state is more restrictive than many others. New laws taking effect in July 2025 may allow some misdemeanor and felony convictions to be automatically sealed after waiting periods, but only for qualifying offense types.

To seek expungement in Richmond County, file a petition with the Circuit Court in Warsaw. Include full case details and your legal grounds. You must submit fingerprints through the Virginia State Police. The Commonwealth's Attorney receives notice and may oppose the petition. If contested, the court holds a hearing. Filing fees apply at the clerk's office. The full statute is at the Virginia General Assembly's Code search tool.

Towns in Richmond County

Richmond County includes the Town of Warsaw, the county seat where the courthouse is located. Warsaw has its own police department, but criminal cases from Warsaw go through the Richmond County court system. Tappahannock is a nearby independent town in Essex County, not in Richmond County. All county criminal cases are processed through the Richmond County courts in Warsaw.

Nearby Counties

Richmond County is on the Northern Neck, a peninsula in eastern Virginia between the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers. Confirm the right county before submitting your request.