Roanoke County Criminal Records
What Is Roanoke County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Roanoke County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. Pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA), these records document the formal criminal history of persons who have been processed through the local justice system.
Criminal records encompass several distinct categories of documentation:
- Arrest Records: Documents created when law enforcement takes a person into custody on suspicion of criminal activity
- Court Records: Official documentation of criminal proceedings, including arraignments, hearings, and trials
- Conviction Records: Documentation of guilty verdicts or plea agreements resulting in criminal convictions
- Incarceration Records: Information regarding periods of confinement in county detention facilities
It is important to distinguish between arrest and conviction records. Arrest records document instances where individuals were taken into custody but do not necessarily indicate guilt. Conviction records, conversely, confirm that a person was found guilty of a criminal offense either through trial or plea agreement.
Criminal offenses in Roanoke County are categorized according to § 18.2-8 of the Code of Virginia as either:
- Felonies: Serious offenses punishable by imprisonment in a state correctional facility and/or substantial fines
- Misdemeanors: Less severe offenses typically punishable by confinement in local jail facilities and/or moderate fines
Adult criminal records are generally accessible to the public, while juvenile records (individuals under 18) are typically sealed pursuant to § 16.1-301 of the Code of Virginia, with limited exceptions for certain serious offenses.
Several agencies maintain criminal records in Roanoke County:
Roanoke County Sheriff's Office
401 E. Main Street
Salem, VA 24153
Phone: 540-283-3102
Roanoke County Sheriff's Office
Roanoke County Police Department
5925 Cove Road
Roanoke, VA 24019
Phone: 540-562-3265
Roanoke County Police Department
Roanoke County Circuit Court Clerk
305 E. Main Street
Salem, VA 24153
Phone: 540-387-6205
Roanoke County Circuit Court
Virginia State Police
Criminal Records Division
P.O. Box 27472
Richmond, VA 23261
Phone: 804-674-2000
Virginia State Police
Are Criminal Records Public In Roanoke County
Criminal records in Roanoke County are generally considered public information in accordance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA). This statute, codified in § 2.2-3700 et seq. of the Code of Virginia, establishes the presumption that all government records are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law.
The VFOIA states: "The affairs of government are not intended to be conducted in an atmosphere of secrecy since at all times the public is to be the beneficiary of any action taken at any level of government." This principle extends to criminal records maintained by county agencies.
Public criminal records in Roanoke County typically include:
- Court dockets and case files for adult criminal proceedings
- Conviction records for adult offenders
- Booking information and mugshots from county detention facilities
- Sex offender registry information
- Active warrants (with some limitations)
However, certain categories of criminal records are restricted from public access under Virginia law:
- Juvenile records (with limited exceptions for violent offenses) as protected by § 16.1-301
- Records pertaining to ongoing investigations as exempted under § 2.2-3706(B)
- Records sealed by court order, including expunged records
- Information that would compromise victim safety or privacy
- Grand jury proceedings as protected by § 19.2-192
The Virginia Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access court records, including criminal proceedings, while balancing privacy concerns and law enforcement needs. In the case of Daily Press, LLC v. Commonwealth, the court affirmed that court records are presumptively open to public inspection.
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Roanoke County should be aware that while the records may be public, certain procedural requirements and identification verification may be necessary to access specific documents. Additionally, the use of criminal record information is regulated by state and federal laws to prevent discrimination and protect privacy rights.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Roanoke County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Roanoke County may utilize several established methods to obtain this information. The county maintains multiple access points for criminal record retrieval, each serving specific purposes and containing different types of information.
For in-person requests at the courthouse:
- Visit the Roanoke County Circuit Court Clerk's Office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM)
- Complete a records request form, providing the subject's full name and, if possible, date of birth
- Present valid government-issued photo identification
- Pay applicable search and copy fees (currently $5.00 for record search plus $0.50 per page for copies)
- Allow staff time to retrieve the requested records
Roanoke County Circuit Court Clerk
305 E. Main Street
Salem, VA 24153
Phone: 540-387-6205
Roanoke County Circuit Court
For criminal case information:
- Access the Virginia Judicial System's Case Information website
- Select "Roanoke County" from the jurisdiction dropdown menu
- Choose either Circuit Court or General District Court search options
- Enter search criteria (name, case number, or hearing date)
- Review results, noting that online records typically include case numbers, charges, hearing dates, and disposition information
For current inmate information:
- Visit the Roanoke County Inmate Inquiry system
- Enter the individual's name or identification number
- Review booking information, charges, and custody status
For criminal history reports (background checks):
- Submit a request to the Virginia State Police through their Criminal History Record Request system
- Complete form SP-167, providing subject information and purpose of request
- Include fingerprints if requesting your own record or have proper authorization
- Submit the required fee ($15 for name-based checks, $20 for fingerprint-based checks)
- Allow 15-20 business days for processing
Virginia State Police
Criminal Records Division
P.O. Box 27472
Richmond, VA 23261
Phone: 804-674-2000
Virginia State Police
For sex offender registry information:
- Access the Virginia Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry
- Search by name, zip code, or geographic area
- Review publicly available information on registered offenders
Requestors should note that pursuant to § 9.1-132 of the Code of Virginia, it is unlawful to use registry information to intimidate or harass registered individuals.
How To Find Criminal Records in Roanoke County Online?
Roanoke County provides several online resources for accessing criminal records electronically. These digital platforms offer convenient alternatives to in-person requests, though the scope of information available online may be more limited than complete records available at physical locations.
The primary online resources for criminal records in Roanoke County include:
Virginia Judicial System Case Information
The Virginia Courts Case Information system serves as the official portal for accessing court case information throughout Virginia, including Roanoke County. Users may:
- Search by name, case number, or hearing date
- Access both Circuit Court and General District Court records
- View case status, scheduled hearings, and disposition information
- Identify charges filed and case outcomes
- Check civil judgment information
No registration is required, though users should note that case information is typically updated nightly and may not reflect same-day changes.
Roanoke County Inmate Inquiry System
The Roanoke County Inmate Inquiry portal provides real-time information about individuals currently detained in county facilities. This system allows users to:
- Search by name or identification number
- View booking information and photographs
- Check current charges and custody status
- Identify bond amounts when applicable
- Verify scheduled court dates
Roanoke County Sheriff's Office Records
The Roanoke County Sheriff's Office website provides limited information about recent arrests and jail operations. While detailed arrest records are not available online, the site offers:
- General information about detention facilities
- Visitation policies and procedures
- Contact information for records requests
- Links to related criminal justice resources
Virginia Sex Offender Registry
The Virginia Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry maintained by the Virginia State Police allows users to:
- Search for registered offenders by name, zip code, or geographic area
- View offender photographs and physical descriptions
- Access information about registration requirements and compliance
- Identify the nature of qualifying offenses
- Verify residential addresses of registered individuals
When using online resources, users should be aware of several limitations:
- Juvenile records are not available online pursuant to § 16.1-301
- Sealed or expunged records will not appear in search results
- Case details may be abbreviated compared to full court files
- Older records may not be digitized or searchable online
- Technical issues may occasionally affect system availability
Can You Search Roanoke County Criminal Records for Free?
Roanoke County provides several no-cost options for accessing criminal records, in accordance with Virginia's public records laws. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act establishes that while agencies may charge reasonable fees for record reproduction, public inspection of records should be available without charge during normal business hours.
Free in-person inspection options include:
Roanoke County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
305 E. Main Street
Salem, VA 24153
Phone: 540-387-6205
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Roanoke County Circuit Court
At this location, members of the public may:
- Review criminal case files at public access terminals
- Inspect court dockets and schedules
- View non-confidential court proceedings in person
- Examine judgment records and sentencing information
While inspection is free, copy fees apply ($0.50 per page) if printed documents are requested.
Roanoke County General District Court
305 E. Main Street
Salem, VA 24153
Phone: 540-387-6168
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Roanoke County General District Court
This court handles misdemeanor cases and preliminary hearings for felonies. Visitors may:
- Review case information at public terminals
- Observe open court proceedings
- Check scheduled hearing dates
- Verify case status and disposition
Free online resources include:
-
Virginia Judicial System Case Information
The Virginia Courts Case Information system provides free access to:- Criminal case status and hearing dates
- Charge information and disposition
- Court schedules and docket information
- Case numbers and filing dates
-
Roanoke County Inmate Inquiry System
The Roanoke County Inmate Inquiry portal offers free access to:- Current inmate roster
- Booking information and photographs
- Charge information
- Custody status
-
Virginia Sex Offender Registry
The Virginia Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry provides free public access to information about registered sex offenders in the county.
It should be noted that while basic record searches are available at no cost, comprehensive criminal history reports (background checks) through the Virginia State Police require payment of statutory fees pursuant to § 19.2-389 of the Code of Virginia. Additionally, certified copies of court documents incur fees established by state law.
What's Included in a Roanoke County Criminal Record?
Criminal records in Roanoke County contain standardized information documenting an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records are maintained in accordance with Virginia state recordkeeping requirements and typically include several categories of information.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
- Current and previous addresses
- State Identification (SID) number
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Booking photographs ("mugshots")
Arrest Information:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Booking number and processing details
- Initial charges filed at time of arrest
- Probable cause statements
- Bail or bond information
- Detention facility location
Court Case Information:
- Court case number and jurisdiction
- Court of record (Circuit or General District)
- Filing date and scheduled appearances
- Formal charges filed by prosecutor
- Virginia Code sections cited for alleged violations
- Classification of charges (felony class 1-6 or misdemeanor class 1-4)
- Defense attorney information
- Pretrial motions and rulings
- Plea information
Disposition and Sentencing:
- Case outcome (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, nolle prosequi)
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details including:
- Incarceration terms and location
- Probation requirements and duration
- Fines, court costs, and restitution ordered
- Community service obligations
- Treatment or educational program requirements
- Post-conviction proceedings
- Appeal information (if applicable)
Additional Information:
- Active warrant status
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- Probation or parole status
- Compliance with court-ordered conditions
- Prior criminal history references
The comprehensiveness of criminal records may vary based on the stage of proceedings and the maintaining agency. Records held by the Roanoke County Sheriff's Office focus primarily on arrest and detention information, while court records maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk contain more detailed information about judicial proceedings and outcomes.
Pursuant to § 19.2-389 of the Code of Virginia, official criminal history records maintained by the Virginia State Police include all reportable arrests, charges, and dispositions submitted by local law enforcement agencies and courts throughout the Commonwealth.
How Long Does Roanoke County Keep Criminal Records?
Roanoke County maintains criminal records in accordance with retention schedules established by the Library of Virginia under the authority of the Virginia Public Records Act. These schedules specify minimum retention periods for various types of criminal justice records, though many records are maintained permanently due to their historical and legal significance.
Key retention periods for criminal records in Roanoke County include:
Court Records:
- Circuit Court felony case files: Permanent retention
- Circuit Court misdemeanor case files: 10 years after final disposition
- General District Court criminal case files: 10 years after final disposition
- Court dockets and indices: Permanent retention
- Sentencing orders: Permanent retention
- Probation records: 10 years after completion of probation
Law Enforcement Records:
- Arrest reports: 75 years
- Criminal investigation case files (felonies): 75 years
- Criminal investigation case files (misdemeanors): 10 years after case closure
- Incident reports: 10 years
- Fingerprint cards: Until death of subject or 75 years
- Booking photographs: 75 years
Corrections Records:
- Inmate confinement records: 10 years after release
- Jail visitor logs: 3 years
- Inmate medical records: 10 years after release
These retention periods represent minimum requirements. In practice, many records are maintained for longer periods, particularly as Roanoke County has implemented electronic record management systems that facilitate long-term storage. The Circuit Court Clerk maintains permanent records dating back to the county's formation in 1838.
It should be noted that retention does not necessarily equate to public accessibility. Certain records may be sealed or expunged pursuant to court orders under § 19.2-392.2 of the Code of Virginia. Additionally, juvenile records are subject to different retention schedules and access restrictions.
Electronic court records in the Virginia Judicial System's Case Information database are typically available online for approximately 10 years, though the underlying records remain in court custody according to the retention schedules.
The Virginia State Police maintains criminal history information in the Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE) for the lifetime of the individual, with updates reflecting subsequent interactions with the criminal justice system.
Lookup Criminal Records in Roanoke County
Roanoke County Police Department