Search Richmond Criminal Court Records

Richmond criminal court records are maintained by the city's own Circuit Court Clerk and the Richmond General District Court. The City of Richmond is an independent city and is entirely separate from Henrico County and Chesterfield County for court purposes. You can search case filings, criminal dockets, and dispositions online through Virginia's court portals, or go in person to the courthouse to request copies. This guide explains how to find Richmond criminal records, what the courts handle, and what the law says about access.

Richmond Circuit Court Records

The Richmond Circuit Court is the city's trial court of general jurisdiction. It handles all felony criminal matters, grand jury proceedings, and appeals from the General District Court. Richmond is part of Virginia's 13th Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Court Clerk keeps the official record of all criminal case files, including warrants, indictments, sentencing orders, bond conditions, and final dispositions. These records are open to the public unless sealed by court order.

You can search Richmond Circuit Court criminal records online through the CJISWeb system operated by the Virginia Judicial System. Select the City of Richmond from the dropdown list, then search by party name or case number. Criminal cases use a "CR" prefix in the case number. The data updates in real time and reflects current court filings. This is the best first step for checking whether a case was filed and what its current status is.

Richmond City Courts information is available at rva.gov/courts, where you can find contact details for the clerk's office, court schedules, and guidance on how the court system works. The city government's main website is rva.gov. Copies of court documents cost $0.50 per page, with a $2.00 fee for certified copies and an additional $2.50 for triple-seal certification.

The image below shows the Richmond city government website, one of the primary resources for court and records information in the city.

The Richmond city government portal links to court information, the police department, FOIA requests, and other public services.

The image below shows the Richmond Police Department website, which handles arrest records and FOIA requests for law enforcement files.

The Richmond Police Department processes local arrest record requests and can direct you to the appropriate department for FOIA submissions.

Richmond General District Court

The Richmond General District Court handles misdemeanor criminal charges, traffic offenses, and preliminary hearings for felony cases before they are sent to Circuit Court. Civil claims up to $25,000 are also under its jurisdiction. There are no jury trials in the GDC. Anyone who wants a jury trial must appeal to the Circuit Court, where the case starts fresh in what Virginia law calls a de novo proceeding.

Case records from the Richmond General District Court are searchable through the GDC online system. You can look up misdemeanor, traffic, and civil cases by party name or case number. The GDC operates Monday through Friday during standard court hours. For more complex record requests or certified copies, contact the court clerk directly. Preliminary hearings at the GDC level are part of the public record and appear in the online system once filed.

Online Search Tools for Richmond Records

Virginia offers several free public tools to search criminal court records. For Richmond, the CJISWeb portal linked above is the direct route into circuit-level criminal filings. The OCIS 2.0 statewide search system covers multiple courts at once, which is useful when someone has records across different Virginia cities or counties. You don't need an account to run a search on either platform.

The Virginia Judicial System's general Case Status and Information portal lets you check active case status across all state courts. You can search by party name, case number, or hearing date. This is helpful for tracking an active case or confirming a court date. Richmond's large court caseload means the online systems are the most efficient way to start any record search.

Note: Online portals reflect publicly available data only. Sealed records, juvenile cases, and certain domestic matters are excluded from these searches.

Criminal Record Access in Richmond

Virginia law governs how criminal court records can be accessed. Under Virginia Code § 19.2-389, criminal history record information is defined and its release regulated statewide. Court records in the clerk's office are separate from criminal history files maintained by law enforcement. Court case files are open to the public unless sealed. This means anyone can view or request copies of criminal case filings at the clerk's office without showing ID or explaining why.

The Virginia Freedom of Information Act gives the public the right to request records from city agencies, including the Richmond Police Department. Under FOIA, a public body must respond within five working days. For guidance on what you can request and how agencies must respond, the Virginia FOIA Advisory Council is the best resource. Richmond city government FOIA submissions go through the city's general FOIA process.

The Virginia State Police maintains the Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE) for statewide background checks. Requests go through vsp.virginia.gov. The CCRE covers arrests and dispositions from all Virginia jurisdictions. It is not the same as requesting records from the Circuit Court clerk or from the Richmond Police Department directly.

Record Sealing in Richmond

Virginia law provides a path to seal certain criminal records. Under Virginia Code Title 19.2, Chapter 23.1, dismissed charges may qualify for sealing under § 19.2-392.2 if the case was dropped, nolle prossed, or ended in acquittal. Sealing removes a record from public view but does not destroy it. Certain serious offenses listed under § 19.2-392.12 are not eligible for sealing, even if the case was dismissed.

A major expansion of Virginia's sealing law is scheduled to take effect in July 2026. Under those changes, people with qualifying convictions may petition to seal those records. The process is not automatic and requires a court filing in Richmond's Circuit Court. Meeting all statutory criteria is required. The Virginia Courts Self-Help Center provides forms and step-by-step instructions for people who want to start the petition process without an attorney.

Self-Help and Legal Resources

The Virginia Courts Self-Help Center offers free guides and court forms for people navigating criminal proceedings on their own. This covers everything from requesting records to filing sealing petitions to understanding what happens at a preliminary hearing. The site is maintained by the Virginia Judicial System and applies to all courts, including Richmond's Circuit and General District Courts.

Richmond has a range of legal aid resources for low-income residents. The Central Virginia Legal Aid Society serves the Richmond area and can help people understand their rights, respond to criminal charges, and request records. You can find contact details through the Self-Help Center or by calling the Richmond courthouse directly. The city courts page at rva.gov/courts lists court contact information and is a good starting point.

Note: Richmond's courts serve a large urban population. In-person visits may require waiting. Use the online portals first to confirm what you need before going to the courthouse.

Nearby Virginia Cities

Richmond is surrounded by several independent Virginia cities. Each has its own courts separate from the surrounding counties.