Search Charlottesville Criminal Court Records
Charlottesville criminal court records are kept by the city's Circuit Court Clerk and General District Court in central Virginia. As an independent city, Charlottesville runs its own courts separate from Albemarle County. You can search felony cases, misdemeanor filings, and traffic records online through the state's court portals, or visit the courthouse on High Street to get copies in person. This guide explains what each source offers and how to access it.
Charlottesville City Overview
Charlottesville Circuit Court Records
The Charlottesville Circuit Court is the general jurisdiction trial court for the city. It handles all felony criminal cases, grand jury proceedings, appeals from the General District Court, and civil claims over $25,000. Charlottesville is in Virginia's 16th Judicial Circuit. The Charlottesville Circuit Court Clerk maintains case files including indictments, warrants, sentencing orders, and final dispositions. Unless sealed by court order, these records are open to the public.
You can search Charlottesville Circuit Court criminal records online at the CJISWeb system. Select Charlottesville City from the court list. Enter a party name or case number. Criminal cases show a "CR" prefix. CJISWeb is operated by the Virginia Judicial System and updates in real time. It is the best first step before calling or visiting the clerk's office. The clerk's office is located at 315 High Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902.
Copies cost $0.50 per page, plus $2.00 extra for certified copies and $2.50 for triple-seal certification. Office hours are generally 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. Staff can confirm case status and assist with document requests during those hours.
| Office | Charlottesville Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 315 High Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902 |
| Judicial Circuit | 16th Judicial Circuit |
| Online Search | CJISWeb Circuit Court Search |
| Copy Fees | $0.50/page; certified +$2.00; triple-seal +$2.50 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
The Charlottesville City Government website has contact information for all city departments, including the clerk's office and other public records offices.
The Virginia General District Court online system shown above covers Charlottesville's district court records and allows searches by name or case number at no cost.
Charlottesville General District Court
The Charlottesville General District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic offenses, and preliminary hearings for felonies before they go to the Circuit Court. It also has civil jurisdiction for claims up to $25,000. No jury trials take place at this level. If a defendant wants a jury, the case must go to Circuit Court on a de novo appeal.
You can search Charlottesville General District Court records through the GDC online system. Use the system to search by party name, case number, or hearing date. The GDC portal covers misdemeanor, traffic, and civil cases. It is free, requires no login, and reflects current data. The Charlottesville Police Department maintains arrest records for incidents within the city.
| Office | Charlottesville General District Court |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Misdemeanors, traffic, civil to $25K, preliminary hearings |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Online Search | GDC Case Search System |
Online Access to Charlottesville Court Records
Virginia offers several free online tools for searching criminal court records. The OCIS 2.0 system provides statewide search access for adult criminal cases in General District Courts and select Circuit Courts. It is especially useful if you are not certain which court filed a case or if someone may have cases in more than one Virginia city or county. Charlottesville's own circuit and district courts are also directly searchable through CJISWeb and the GDC portal.
None of these tools require you to create an account. Data shown includes case status, hearing dates, and dispositions. Sealed records, juvenile cases, and certain domestic relations matters do not appear in these public search tools.
Note: Charlottesville and Albemarle County share the same geographic area but have completely separate court systems. If you are not sure which court has the case you need, check both Charlottesville City and Albemarle County in CJISWeb.
Criminal Record Access in Charlottesville
Virginia law governs how criminal court records can be accessed. Under Virginia Code § 19.2-389, criminal history record information is regulated at the state level through the CCRE. Court records held in the clerk's office are a distinct category and are generally open to the public. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act at Virginia Code Title 2.2, Chapter 37 governs requests for records from any public body in the commonwealth. Public bodies must respond within five working days. Investigative files may take up to 60 additional days.
The Virginia FOIA Advisory Council provides guidance for requesters. For Charlottesville Police Department records, submit a request through the city. Statewide background checks go through the Virginia State Police at vsp.virginia.gov. That is a separate process from getting court case documents from the clerk's office.
Record Sealing in Charlottesville
Virginia's sealing laws are codified at Virginia Code Title 19.2, Chapter 23.1. Under § 19.2-392.2, dismissed charges and acquittals may qualify for sealing. This removes the record from public access systems. Not all charges are eligible. Offenses listed in § 19.2-392.12 cannot be sealed even if the case was dismissed or the defendant was found not guilty.
Virginia's expanded sealing law for convictions takes effect in July 2026. People with qualifying misdemeanor or felony convictions may petition for sealing after completing waiting periods. You must file at the Circuit Court. The process is not automatic. The Virginia Courts Self-Help Center has forms and instructions for filing a sealing petition without an attorney.
Self-Help and Legal Resources
The Virginia Courts Self-Help Center provides guides, forms, and plain-language explanations for people handling court matters without a lawyer. The site is maintained by the Virginia Judicial System and applies to all courts in the state. Topics include responding to charges, requesting records, filing sealing petitions, and understanding the steps in a Virginia criminal case.
Charlottesville has a robust legal services community, including organizations connected to the University of Virginia School of Law. Legal aid resources are available for lower-income residents. Virginia Free Legal Answers lets you post legal questions online and get free responses from licensed Virginia attorneys.
The courthouse at 315 High Street is accessible from most parts of the city. Parking is available nearby. For standard records lookups, the online tools described on this page will cover most needs without requiring a visit.
Nearby Virginia Cities
These Virginia cities are in the same region and maintain their own criminal court records.