Criminal Court Records in Highland County

Highland County criminal court records are held by the Circuit Court Clerk and the General District Court in Monterey, Virginia. You can search case filings, criminal dockets, and case dispositions through Virginia's free online court portals or by visiting the courthouse in person. Highland County is the least populous county in the state and part of the 25th Judicial Circuit. This guide covers how to find and access felony records, misdemeanor filings, and related criminal case information for this remote mountain county.

Highland County Circuit Court Records

The Highland County Circuit Court is the court of general jurisdiction for this small Allegheny Highlands county. It handles felony criminal cases, appeals from the General District Court, and civil matters over $25,000. The court is part of Virginia's 25th Judicial Circuit, which serves Highland County along with Bath, Alleghany, and Botetourt counties. The Circuit Court Clerk in Monterey maintains all criminal case files, including indictments, sentencing orders, and final dispositions. These records are public unless a judge has ordered them sealed.

You can search Highland County Circuit Court criminal records online through the CJISWeb system run by the Virginia Judicial System. Select Highland County from the dropdown list on the search page. You can look up cases by party name, case number, or hearing date. Case numbers with a "CR" prefix indicate criminal matters. The CJISWeb portal is free and does not require registration. It shows real-time data directly from the clerk's system, so results reflect current court information.

Copy fees at the Highland County clerk's office are $0.50 per page. Certified copies carry an extra $2.00 fee. A triple-seal certification costs an additional $2.50 on top of that. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Given Highland County's remote location in the mountains near the West Virginia border, the online tools are especially useful before making the trip to Monterey.

The Highland County Government website has contact details for county departments, including the clerk's office. You can also find information about courthouse hours and how to submit records requests by mail for those who cannot visit in person.

The screenshot above shows the Highland County Government website, which provides access to county office contact information and services related to court records.

Highland General District Court

The General District Court in Highland County handles misdemeanor criminal charges, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings for felony cases. It also covers civil claims up to $25,000. There are no jury trials at this level. If a defendant wants a jury trial, they must appeal to the Circuit Court, where the case starts over fresh under a de novo standard. The General District Court operates out of the same courthouse complex in Monterey.

You can access General District Court criminal records through the GDC online system provided by the Virginia court system. This tool lets you search misdemeanor, traffic, and civil cases by name or case number. It is a free public resource with no login required. Hours at the Highland County GDC are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Staff can assist with case lookups and document requests during those hours.

Online Search Tools for Highland Records

Virginia provides several free tools for searching criminal court records. The OCIS 2.0 system allows broader statewide searches and is useful when you are not sure which court filed a case. It covers both Circuit and General District courts across the state. For Highland County circuit-level records specifically, the CJISWeb system linked above is the primary tool. The OCIS system helps when a person may have cases in multiple counties.

The Case Status and Information portal at the Virginia Judicial System website lets you check active case status. You can look up case numbers, party names, and scheduled hearings. No account is needed. Both tools are free. For most searches, starting with CJISWeb for circuit cases and the GDC portal for misdemeanor records covers the majority of what people need.

Note: Online portals show publicly available data only. Sealed records, juvenile files, and certain domestic matters do not appear in these searches.

Criminal Record Access in Highland County

Virginia law governs public access to criminal court records. Under Virginia Code § 19.2-389, criminal history record information is defined and its release regulated. Court case files held by the clerk are separate from criminal history records maintained by law enforcement. Clerk records are generally open to the public. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act, codified at Virginia Code Title 2.2, Chapter 37, governs how public agencies respond to records requests. A public body must respond within five working days under FOIA. Criminal investigative files may require up to 60 additional days in some situations.

The Virginia FOIA Advisory Council provides guidance on submitting records requests and explains the rights of requesters. For records held by the Highland County government itself rather than the courts, you would submit a FOIA request directly to the county. The county website at highlandcova.org has contact information for county offices.

The Virginia State Police manages the Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE) at vsp.virginia.gov. Background check requests go through that office. This is a statewide system and separate from the court clerk's records. It covers arrests and dispositions from across Virginia, not just Highland County.

Record Sealing in Highland County

Virginia law allows sealing of certain criminal records under Virginia Code Title 19.2, Chapter 23.1. Under § 19.2-392.2, dismissed charges may qualify for sealing if the case was dropped or the person was acquitted. Not every offense is eligible. Certain serious crimes listed under § 19.2-392.12 cannot be sealed even if other requirements are met. You must file a petition in the Circuit Court where the case originated.

A significant expansion of Virginia's sealing law takes effect in July 2026. People with qualifying convictions will be able to petition to have those records sealed. The law does not apply automatically. You still need to file a petition and meet the statutory criteria. The Virginia Courts Self-Help Center has guides and forms to help you understand the process and prepare your petition.

Note: Sealing removes the record from public view. It does not destroy the record, and certain agencies may still access sealed files under specific legal circumstances.

Self-Help and Legal Resources

The Virginia Courts Self-Help Center has forms, instructions, and plain-language guides for people who need to use the court system without a lawyer. Topics include how to respond to criminal charges, request records, file petitions to seal records, and understand court procedures. The site is maintained by the Virginia Judicial System and covers all courts in the state.

Because Highland County is among Virginia's most remote counties, located in the Allegheny Mountains near the West Virginia line, many people use the mail or online tools to access records without making the drive to Monterey. If you need certified copies, an in-person visit to the clerk's office is necessary. There is no satellite clerk location for this county.

Legal aid for low-income residents is available through Virginia legal aid organizations that serve the western Virginia mountain region. Contact information and eligibility details can be found through the Self-Help Center or the Virginia Judicial System website. These services can help with questions about criminal records, expungement, and how to navigate court procedures on your own.

Nearby Counties

Highland County borders Bath and Augusta counties to the east and south. Bath County is the closest neighbor to the southeast, and Pendleton County, West Virginia sits along the northern border.