Tazewell County Arrest Records

Tazewell County arrest records are maintained by the Sheriff's Office in Tazewell, Virginia, and can be searched through the Virginia Courts Case Information System, requested from the Sheriff's Office directly, or obtained as a certified criminal history record through the Virginia State Police. Tazewell County is in far southwest Virginia and is part of the 29th Judicial Circuit. This guide explains how to access arrest records, what contact information you need, and how to navigate the expungement process if you want to seal a record.

Tazewell County Sheriff's Office

The Tazewell County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the county and handles arrest record requests for incidents occurring within Tazewell County. The office maintains booking records, jail logs, and incident reports. Staff can help you find a specific record or direct you to the right state-level agency for comprehensive criminal history searches.

Records requests can be made in person or by mail. When making a request, include the full name of the person, the approximate date of arrest, and any case or report number you have. Some records may require a formal written request under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. Fees for copies are based on actual cost. Call ahead if you want an estimate before your request is processed.

The Sheriff's Office handles Tazewell County records. For a statewide criminal history check that covers all Virginia agencies, use the Virginia State Police CARE system. The fee is $15, and processing takes about 15 business days by mail. The Sheriff's Office can point you to the right forms if you need guidance.

How to Search Tazewell County Arrest Records

The free option is the Virginia Courts Case Information System at vacourts.gov. Search by name or case number for records from the Tazewell County Circuit Court and General District Court. Results show charges, hearing dates, and case outcomes. No account or payment is needed.

For a certified criminal history report, go through the Virginia State Police CARE system. Form SP-167 is the standard request form. If you are asking for another person's records, notarized authorization must be included. The fee is $15. Mail the completed form and payment to the Virginia State Police in Richmond. Expect about 15 business days for processing. Full instructions and forms are at vsp.virginia.gov.

To check if someone is in state custody, the VADOC Offender Locator is free and available online. For the local jail, contact the Tazewell County Sheriff's Office directly.

Visiting the Tazewell County Courthouse in person is also an option. The Circuit Court and General District Court clerks both keep case records on file. Public access terminals are usually available during business hours. Bring photo ID and details about the case. Certified copies cost a per-page fee established by the court.

Use the online courts tool for quick free lookups of case history. Use the CARE system when you need a certified, official criminal history record for employment screening, licensing, or legal proceedings.

Tazewell County Court Records

Tazewell County has a Circuit Court and a General District Court. Both are located at the courthouse in Tazewell, the county seat. Each court handles a distinct category of criminal cases and maintains separate public records.

The Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, jury trials, and appeals from the General District Court. Felony case files for Tazewell County are kept by the Circuit Court clerk. You can search them online using the Virginia Courts portal or visit in person for certified copies. Per-page fees apply for copies of court orders and judgments.

The General District Court handles misdemeanor cases, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings for felony charges. Records from both courts are searchable through the Virginia Courts online portal. Under § 19.2-389 of the Code of Virginia, criminal history records are maintained at the state level through the Central Criminal Records Exchange operated by the Virginia State Police.

FOIA and Public Access in Tazewell County

Under § 2.2-3704 of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, every person has the right to request public records from government agencies in Tazewell County. The law presumes all records are open unless a specific legal exemption applies. Agencies must respond within five working days of receiving a request.

Submit a written request to the records custodian at the relevant agency. You do not need to explain why you want the records. Describe them with enough detail to find them: include the person's name, approximate dates, and the type of record. Agencies can charge only for actual staff time and copying costs. A deposit may be required before work begins if the estimated cost exceeds $200.

Virginia law requires agencies to release the identity of arrested people, the charges against them, and the status of those charges. Active investigations and juvenile records are exempt from public release. For help with the FOIA process, contact the FOIA Advisory Council at (804) 698-1810 or foiacouncil@dls.virginia.gov.

Expungement of Tazewell County Arrest Records

Under § 19.2-392.2 of the Code of Virginia, you may petition to have arrest records expunged and sealed from public access in certain situations. You may be eligible if you were acquitted of the charges, if the case was dismissed or nolle prosequi, if you were arrested but not charged and the record is inaccurate or harmful, or if you received an absolute pardon following a wrongful conviction.

Virginia generally does not allow expungement of convictions. A finding of guilt typically stays on the public record. New laws taking effect July 2025 may allow some convictions to be sealed automatically after waiting periods, though those provisions are still being implemented across the state.

To file for expungement in Tazewell County, petition the Circuit Court at the county courthouse in Tazewell. The petition must describe the arrest and the legal basis for sealing. Fingerprints must be submitted through the Virginia State Police to verify your identity. The Commonwealth's Attorney gets a copy of the petition and may oppose it. If opposed, the court schedules a hearing. Clerk filing fees apply. Read the full statute at the Virginia General Assembly's Code search tool.

Cities and Towns in Tazewell County

Tazewell County includes the Town of Tazewell, the county seat, along with Bluefield and Richlands. The Town of Bluefield straddles the Virginia-West Virginia state line. The independent city of Bluefield, West Virginia is a separate jurisdiction. All criminal cases from Tazewell County, Virginia are handled through the county courts in Tazewell.

Nearby Counties

Tazewell County is in the far southwest corner of Virginia, bordering West Virginia. Check the correct jurisdiction based on where an incident took place.