Search Criminal Records in Northampton County

Northampton County criminal court records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk and the General District Court in Eastville, Virginia. Felony case filings, misdemeanor records, traffic charges, and case dispositions are searchable online through Virginia's public court systems or can be requested in person at the courthouse on King Street. Northampton County sits at the southern tip of the Delmarva Peninsula on Virginia's Eastern Shore and is served by the 2nd Judicial Circuit. This guide explains how to search, access, and request criminal court records from both courts in the county.

Northampton Circuit Court Records

The Northampton County Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, grand jury proceedings, and appeals from the General District Court. It is part of Virginia's 2nd Judicial Circuit, which covers both Northampton and Accomack counties on the Eastern Shore. The Circuit Court Clerk maintains all criminal case files, including indictments, warrants, sentencing orders, and final dispositions. These files are public records unless a judge has ordered them sealed. In-person access is available at the courthouse in Eastville during business hours.

Criminal records for Northampton County can be searched online through the CJISWeb circuit court search portal operated by the Virginia Judicial System. Select Northampton County from the dropdown and search by party name, case number, or hearing date. Criminal case numbers begin with "CR." The system is free to use and reflects current case data. If you find a case you need documents from, contact the clerk's office or submit a written request. The clerk's website is at northamptoncounty.org/circuit-court-clerk.

Copy fees for Northampton County court records follow the standard Virginia schedule: $0.50 per page for plain copies, an additional $2.00 for certified copies, and $2.50 more for triple-seal certification. The clerk's office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

The Northampton County Government website, shown below, provides department contacts including the circuit court clerk and county offices relevant to criminal records requests.

The Northampton County Government website at northamptoncounty.org is the main county resource for department contacts, FOIA submissions, and links to local court offices.

Northampton General District Court

The General District Court in Northampton County handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic offenses, and preliminary felony hearings before cases are sent to the Circuit Court. Civil claims up to $25,000 also fall under GDC jurisdiction. No jury trials take place at this level. A defendant who wants a jury must appeal to the Circuit Court, where the case is retried under Virginia's de novo rules.

Records from the Northampton General District Court can be searched online through the GDC case search system. You can look up misdemeanor, traffic, and civil cases by name or case number without an account. The court operates Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Preliminary hearing records for felony cases also appear in the GDC system before transfer to Circuit Court. These records are part of the public record and are available to any member of the public who asks.

Online Search Tools for Northampton Records

Several free tools are provided by the Virginia Judicial System for searching court records. The OCIS 2.0 statewide search portal is useful when you are searching across multiple courts or are not sure which court handled a particular case. It covers circuit courts and general district courts across Virginia, including Northampton County. No account is needed to run a search.

The Virginia case status and information portal shows the current status of active cases and lets you check scheduled court dates. For Northampton County specifically, the CJISWeb portal handles circuit-level records and the GDC tool handles lower court matters. Use them together for the most complete picture of a case's history.

Note: Online tools do not show sealed records, juvenile cases, or certain domestic court filings. Those require an in-person visit to the clerk's office with proper identification.

Criminal Record Access in Northampton County

Court case files held by the Northampton County Circuit Court Clerk are open to the public under Virginia law. Virginia Code § 19.2-389 addresses criminal history records held by law enforcement and the state police exchange. Court-held case files are separate from that category and are generally available without restriction to anyone who requests them during office hours.

Requests for records from county offices outside the courts are governed by the Virginia Freedom of Information Act at Virginia Code Title 2.2, Chapter 37. Public bodies must respond within five working days. Certain law enforcement investigative records may be exempt or subject to extended review. The Virginia FOIA Advisory Council is a resource for requesters who need help understanding their rights or who believe a request was improperly denied. The main county site at northamptoncounty.org has contact information for submitting a FOIA request to county offices.

Statewide criminal background checks are handled by the Virginia State Police through the Central Criminal Records Exchange. Submit requests at vsp.virginia.gov. This covers records from all Virginia jurisdictions, not just Northampton County.

Record Sealing and Expungement

Virginia's record sealing law is found at Virginia Code Title 19.2, Chapter 23.1. Under § 19.2-392.2, dismissed charges and acquittals may be eligible for sealing. A successful sealing petition removes the case from public view. The petition must be filed in the Circuit Court where the case was originally heard. For Northampton County cases, that is the 2nd Judicial Circuit Court in Eastville. Certain serious offenses listed under § 19.2-392.12 are not eligible for sealing, even when the charge did not result in a conviction.

Virginia is expanding its sealing laws starting in July 2026. Under those changes, people with qualifying convictions may be able to petition for sealing after a waiting period. The process is not automatic. You must file a petition and meet the eligibility criteria. The Virginia Courts Self-Help Center has step-by-step guides and court forms for the sealing process and can help you determine whether your record qualifies.

Self-Help and Legal Resources

The Virginia Courts Self-Help Center, run by the Virginia Judicial System, offers free guides and forms for a range of court matters. This includes record requests, sealing petitions, responding to charges, and navigating court procedures. The site requires no registration and is maintained for use by anyone in Virginia.

Northampton County is located at the southern end of the Delmarva Peninsula. Reaching the courthouse in Eastville can require travel via the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel if you are coming from the Virginia mainland. Because of this, mail requests and online searches are often the most practical approach. If you send a written request to the clerk's office, include the full name of the subject, approximate year or case number, and payment for copy fees in the form of a check or money order.

Legal aid resources for Northampton County residents are available through the Eastern Shore area's regional legal aid providers. The Self-Help Center lists contact information and income eligibility requirements for those services. You can also call the Virginia State Bar lawyer referral line if you need to find a private attorney.

Note: Northampton County shares the 2nd Judicial Circuit with Accomack County to the north. Cases from Accomack are handled by a separate clerk's office in Accomac, not Eastville.

Nearby Counties

Northampton County sits at the southern end of the Eastern Shore peninsula. It shares the 2nd Judicial Circuit with Accomack County to the north. Other Virginia counties are reachable via the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.