virginia criminal records: what they include and how to check

Overview

Virginia criminal records summarize a person’s encounters with the justice system, from arrests to case outcomes. Maintained by the Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange, these files are used for employment screening, licensing, and court matters. Accuracy and timeliness matter, so verify entries against official dockets.

What to expect

Expect identifiers, charges, dispositions, sentencing, and supervision status. A record is not the same as guilt; dismissals and acquittals should be listed distinctly. Some juvenile or sealed matters are restricted.

Access and limits

Public access is governed by law. Name-based checks are common, while fingerprint-based searches yield the most reliable results. Private databases may lag or omit updates.

• Request official copies through state police; consent may be required.
• Use court portals to confirm current case status and dispositions.
• Review for errors and file corrections when data is incomplete.
• Consider expungement or sealing if eligible under recent reforms.
• Protect privacy: redact SSNs and sensitive identifiers when sharing.

If a background report impacts employment or housing, you may dispute inaccuracies and request a recheck. Keep dated copies, note agencies contacted, and follow up until corrections post.