Russell County Arrest Records

Russell County arrest records are maintained by the Sheriff's Office in Lebanon, Virginia, and can be accessed through the Virginia Courts Case Information System online, requested by mail or in person, or obtained through the Virginia State Police criminal history program. Russell County is in the coalfields region of far southwest Virginia, in the mountainous area near the Kentucky and Tennessee borders. The county follows Virginia's public records framework, providing free online access to court cases and a paid certified history option. This page explains how to find arrest records in Russell County and what each source offers.

Russell County Sheriff's Office

The Russell County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency in the county and the starting point for arrest record requests. The office maintains booking records, incident reports, and jail logs for individuals detained at the county facility. Staff can help you find a specific arrest record or point you to the right resource if needed.

Requests can be submitted in person or by mail. Include the full name of the person you are searching, the approximate date of the arrest, and any case number you have. Some records may require a written FOIA request. The office handles requests during regular business hours, and copy fees may apply.

The Sheriff's Office covers only arrests made by county law enforcement. The Virginia State Police also patrol this region and may handle some arrests. Cases handled by VSP would still be filed in the county courts. For a full statewide criminal history, the Virginia State Police CARE system is the right tool.

How to Search Russell County Arrest Records

Start with the free Virginia Courts Case Information System. Search by name or case number to see records from the Russell County Circuit Court and General District Court. Results show charges, court dates, and case outcomes. No registration or fee is needed.

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

Russell County is in the far southwest corner of Virginia. The Virginia State Police Seventh Division covers this area. State police make a significant number of arrests in rural mountain counties like Russell. If a state police trooper made the arrest, the case is still in the county courts, but the originating agency is VSP rather than the county Sheriff.

For state prison inmates, use the VADOC Offender Locator. For current local jail detainees, call the Sheriff's Office. In-person visits to the courthouse in Lebanon are available at both court levels during regular business hours. Bring photo ID and any case details you have.

Sealed, expunged, and juvenile records will not appear in the public online system. A formal court petition is required for those records.

Russell County Court Records

Russell County has a Circuit Court and a General District Court, both located in Lebanon. The two courts handle different levels of criminal cases and both maintain publicly accessible records that can be searched online or in person.

The Circuit Court handles felony cases, including trials, pleas, and sentencing. It also hears appeals from the General District Court. Felony records from Russell County are at the Circuit Court clerk's office in Lebanon. 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. Both courts are searchable through the same statewide online portal. Under § 19.2-389 of the Code of Virginia, statewide criminal history record information is managed through the Central Criminal Records Exchange at the Virginia State Police.

FOIA and Public Access in Russell County

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

Write a request to the records custodian at the relevant agency. No reason is required. Include the person's name, the type of record, and the relevant dates. Agencies may charge only actual copying and staff time costs. If the estimated cost exceeds $200, the agency may ask for a deposit before processing.

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

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

Expungement of Russell County Arrest Records

Virginia law permits certain 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 formally 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. Virginia is more restrictive than many other states. New legislation 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 Russell County, file a petition with the Circuit Court in Lebanon. Include full case details and your legal grounds. You must also submit fingerprints through the Virginia State Police. The Commonwealth's Attorney receives notice and may oppose the petition. If contested, a hearing is scheduled. Filing fees apply at the clerk's office. The full statute is at the Virginia General Assembly's Code search tool.

Towns in Russell County

Russell County includes the Town of Lebanon, which is the county seat where the courthouse is located. Lebanon has a town police department, but criminal cases from Lebanon still go through the Russell County court system. Other communities in Russell County include Castlewood and Honaker. None of these communities have independent courts. All criminal matters in the county are processed through the Russell County Circuit Court and General District Court in Lebanon.

Nearby Counties

Russell County is in the far southwest coalfields region of Virginia. Confirm the correct jurisdiction before sending your records request.