Roanoke County Criminal Court Records

Roanoke County criminal court records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk and the General District Court, with the courthouse located at 215 E. Main Street in Salem, Virginia. This page covers Roanoke County, a suburban jurisdiction that surrounds but is separate from the City of Roanoke. You can search criminal case records online through Virginia's court portals or visit the clerk's office in Salem to request copies in person. This guide covers how to find records, who maintains them, what the fees are, and what Virginia law says about public access.

Roanoke County Circuit Court Records

The Roanoke County Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, grand jury proceedings, and appeals from the General District Court. The court is part of Virginia's 23rd Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Court Clerk's office is located at 215 E. Main Street in Salem and maintains all criminal case files including indictments, warrants, sentencing orders, and final dispositions. These records are generally public unless a court order restricts access. The clerk's office hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

You can search Roanoke County Circuit Court criminal records online through the CJISWeb system. Select "Roanoke County" from the court list. Search by party name, case number, or hearing date. Criminal case numbers carry a "CR" prefix. The system is live, so what you see reflects current case information. The Circuit Court Clerk's page at roanokecountyva.gov/departments/circuit-court-clerk has local office details, contact information, and service information. The Sheriff's office at roanokecountyva.gov/departments/sheriff handles arrest-related inquiries separately.

Copy fees follow the state standard: $0.50 per page for regular copies, $2.00 more for certified copies, and $2.50 more for triple-seal certification. The clerk can also confirm whether a case exists and provide its current status.

The screenshot below shows the Roanoke County government website, the starting point for finding court and clerk office information for this suburban southwest Virginia county.

The county's official site at roanokecountyva.gov links to the circuit court clerk, sheriff's office, and general county services relevant to criminal record access.

Roanoke County General District Court

The Roanoke County General District Court handles misdemeanor criminal charges, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings for felony cases. Civil matters up to $25,000 also come before this court. There are no jury trials at the district court level. If a defendant wants a jury, they must appeal to the Circuit Court, where the case is retried under a de novo standard.

You can search Roanoke County General District Court records through the GDC online system. Look up cases by party name or case number. Preliminary felony hearing records show up in the GDC portal after the court clerk enters them. Given the county's size and proximity to the City of Roanoke, it is worth double-checking which jurisdiction handled a case before you search, as the city and county are separate court systems.

Online Search Tools for Roanoke County Records

Virginia provides free online tools for the public to search court records. The OCIS 2.0 system allows statewide searches across multiple courts. This is useful when you are not sure whether a case was filed in Roanoke County or the City of Roanoke, or when someone has filings in more than one jurisdiction. For Roanoke County specifically, CJISWeb covers circuit court cases and the GDC system covers district court records.

The Virginia Judicial System's Case Status and Information portal lets you check the status of active cases without an account. You can search by case number, party name, or scheduled hearing date. These free tools are the best starting point for any public records search before you visit or call the courthouse in Salem.

Note: Public portals do not display sealed records, juvenile cases, or certain protected domestic matters.

Criminal Record Access in Roanoke County

Court records held by the Roanoke County Circuit Court Clerk are public records under Virginia law. Under Virginia Code § 19.2-389, criminal history record information maintained by law enforcement is regulated separately from court case files. The clerk holds the court records, while arrest and disposition data for background check purposes comes from the Virginia State Police through the CCRE system.

For records held by the county government rather than the courts, the Virginia Freedom of Information Act applies. The FOIA statute is at Virginia Code Title 2.2, Chapter 37. A public body must respond within five working days. Criminal investigative files may take up to 60 additional days. The Virginia FOIA Advisory Council provides free guidance on how to submit a records request and understand your rights. County government contacts are listed at roanokecountyva.gov.

For a statewide background check, contact the Virginia State Police through vsp.virginia.gov. The CCRE covers arrest and disposition records statewide, not just Roanoke County cases.

Record Sealing and Expungement

Virginia allows sealing of certain criminal records under Virginia Code Title 19.2, Chapter 23.1. Cases that were dismissed or ended in acquittal may qualify under § 19.2-392.2. Certain serious offenses under § 19.2-392.12 are excluded even when other conditions are satisfied. You must file a petition with the court in Roanoke County. The process is not automatic.

A significant expansion of Virginia's sealing law takes effect in July 2026. At that point, people with qualifying convictions may also petition to have those records sealed. The Virginia Courts Self-Help Center provides forms and step-by-step guides to help you determine eligibility and understand what to file.

Self-Help and Legal Resources

The Virginia Courts Self-Help Center provides forms, step-by-step guides, and plain-language explanations for people handling court matters on their own. It covers record requests, petitions, and how to respond to criminal charges. The center is run by the Virginia Judicial System and applies to all Virginia courts, including those in Roanoke County.

Roanoke County is a suburban jurisdiction with good access to legal resources. The courthouse in Salem is near the City of Roanoke, which has a range of legal aid organizations, clinics, and bar association resources. Virginia Legal Aid and the Roanoke Bar Association both offer referrals and low-cost services for residents who need help with criminal record matters. The Self-Help Center is the best first stop for forms and guidance before reaching out to a lawyer.

Keep in mind that Roanoke County and the City of Roanoke are separate jurisdictions with their own courts and clerks. When searching records or submitting requests, make sure you are contacting the right office for the case you are looking for.

Note: Roanoke County court records are filed in Salem, not in the City of Roanoke. Direct all in-person visits and mail requests to 215 E. Main Street, Salem, VA 24153.

Nearby Counties

Roanoke County borders several other southwest Virginia counties that each maintain their own criminal court records.