Hanover County Public Records /Hanover County Criminal Records

Hanover County Criminal Records

What Is Hanover County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Hanover County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records encompass the complete history of a person's criminal activity as documented by law enforcement agencies, courts, and correctional facilities operating in Hanover County, Virginia.

Criminal records are categorized by several important distinctions:

Arrest vs. Conviction Records: Arrest records document when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement on suspicion of criminal activity, while conviction records indicate that a court has found the individual guilty of specific charges. Pursuant to Virginia Code § 19.2-389, both types of records are maintained, though they carry different legal implications.
Felony vs. Misdemeanor: Felonies represent more serious offenses punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year, while misdemeanors are less severe crimes typically punishable by less than one year of incarceration. The Hanover Circuit Court Clerk maintains records for felony cases, while misdemeanor cases are primarily handled by the General District Court.
Adult vs. Juvenile Records: Records for individuals 18 and older are generally public, while juvenile records (under 18) are sealed and confidential under Virginia Code § 16.1-301, with limited exceptions for serious offenses.
Active Warrants vs. Historical Records: Active warrants represent current orders for arrest, while historical records document past criminal proceedings and their outcomes.

Several agencies maintain criminal records in Hanover County:

Hanover County Sheriff's Office
7522 County Complex Road
Hanover, VA 23069
Phone: (804) 365-6140
Hanover County Sheriff's Office

The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail records.

Hanover Circuit Court Clerk
7530 County Complex Road
Hanover, VA 23069
Phone: (804) 365-6151
Circuit Court Clerk

The Circuit Court maintains records of felony cases, including charges, arraignments, pleas, trials, and sentencing information.

Hanover General District Court
P.O. Box 176
7530 County Complex Road, 1st Floor
Hanover, VA 23069
Phone: (804) 365-6290
Hanover General District Court

The District Court maintains records for misdemeanor cases, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings for felony cases.

Virginia State Police
Criminal Records Division
P.O. Box 27472
Richmond, VA 23261
Phone: (804) 674-2000
Virginia State Police

The Virginia State Police maintain the Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE) for the entire state.

Comprehensive criminal records typically include documentation of charges, arraignments, pleas, trial proceedings, verdicts, sentencing, and probation or parole information.

Are Criminal Records Public In Hanover County

Criminal records in Hanover County are generally accessible to the public in accordance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including criminal records, should be available for public inspection unless specifically exempted by law.

Under Virginia Code § 2.2-3706, "Criminal records are public records and are open to inspection and copying by any citizen of the Commonwealth, a representative of a newspaper or magazine with circulation in the Commonwealth, or any representative of a radio or television station broadcasting in or into the Commonwealth during the regular business hours of the custodian of such records."

However, important exceptions and restrictions apply to this general rule of public access:

Adult Convictions: Records of criminal convictions for adults are public and accessible through the courts and other record-keeping agencies.
Court Proceedings: Criminal court proceedings are generally open to the public, and the resulting records are accessible unless specifically sealed by court order.
Ongoing Investigations: Records pertaining to active criminal investigations are exempt from public disclosure under Virginia Code § 2.2-3706(B)(1), which protects "those portions of noncriminal incident or other noncriminal investigative reports or materials that contain identifying information of a personal, medical, or financial nature where the release of such information would jeopardize the safety or privacy of any person."
Sealed Cases: Records that have been sealed by court order are not available to the public. This may include cases that have been expunged, certain first-time offenses after completion of probation, or cases where charges were dismissed.
Juvenile Records: Pursuant to Virginia Code § 16.1-301, records concerning juvenile offenders (under 18 years of age) are confidential and not open to public inspection, with limited exceptions for serious violent offenses.
Restricted Information: Certain personal identifying information may be redacted from public records, including Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and other sensitive personal data as specified in Virginia Code § 2.2-3705.1.

The Hanover County Circuit Court Clerk serves as the custodian of court records for felony cases and maintains these records in accordance with state law. The General District Court maintains records for misdemeanor cases, while the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court handles juvenile matters with heightened confidentiality protections.

Members of the public seeking access to criminal records must follow established procedures and may be required to submit formal requests, particularly for records not available through online portals.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Hanover County in 2026

Members of the public may access criminal records in Hanover County through several established channels. The following procedures are currently in effect for obtaining criminal record information:

In-Person Requests at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office:

Visit the Hanover County Circuit Court Clerk's Office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM).
Complete a records request form, providing the name of the individual and, if possible, additional identifying information such as date of birth.
Present valid government-issued photo identification.
Pay applicable fees for copies of records (currently $0.50 per page for standard copies).
For certified copies, additional fees apply (currently $2.00 per document).

Hanover Circuit Court Clerk
7530 County Complex Road
Hanover, VA 23069
Phone: (804) 365-6151
Circuit Court Clerk

In-Person Requests at the General District Court:

Visit the Hanover General District Court clerk's office during regular business hours.
Complete a case records request form.
Provide the name of the individual and case number if available.
Pay applicable fees for copies of records.

Hanover General District Court
P.O. Box 176
7530 County Complex Road, 1st Floor
Hanover, VA 23069
Phone: (804) 365-6290
Hanover General District Court

Mail Requests:

Prepare a written request including the full name of the individual, date of birth (if known), and the specific information sought.
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Enclose a check or money order for applicable fees.
Mail the request to the appropriate court clerk's office.

Online Access:

Access the Virginia Courts Case Information system for Circuit Court records.
Navigate to the General District Court Online Case Information System for district court records.
Create an account if required.
Enter search criteria such as name, case number, or hearing date.
Review available case information (note that complete case files may not be available online).

Virginia State Police Criminal History Record Check:

Complete a Criminal History Record Request form (SP-167).
Include a check or money order for the current fee (currently $15 per record).
Submit fingerprints if requesting your own criminal history.
Mail the request to the Virginia State Police, Central Criminal Records Exchange.

Virginia State Police
Central Criminal Records Exchange
P.O. Box 27472
Richmond, VA 23261
Phone: (804) 674-2000
Virginia State Police

For third-party background check companies, requestors must ensure compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and other applicable laws when conducting background checks for employment or housing purposes.

How To Find Criminal Records in Hanover County Online?

Hanover County provides several online resources for accessing criminal records electronically. These digital portals offer varying levels of information and require different search methods:

Virginia Courts Case Information System (Circuit Court)

This system provides access to Hanover County Circuit Court case information, including felony criminal cases and misdemeanor appeals.

Visit the Virginia Courts Case Information system.
Select "Hanover Circuit Court" from the available courts.
Search by name, case number, or hearing date.
The system displays case status, charges, hearing dates, and disposition information.
Note that this system does not provide access to complete case files or documents.

The Circuit Court system contains information on:

Felony criminal cases
Misdemeanor appeals from General District Court
Civil cases with criminal implications (protective orders, restoration of rights)

Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System (General District Court)

This portal provides access to Hanover County General District Court records, including misdemeanors and traffic violations.

Access the Virginia Judiciary Case Information website.
Select "Hanover General District Court" from the dropdown menu.
Search by name, case number, or hearing date.
Review case information including charges, hearing dates, and disposition.

The General District Court system contains:

Misdemeanor criminal cases
Traffic violations
Preliminary hearings for felony cases
Civil cases under $25,000

Hanover County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search

The Sheriff's Office maintains an online database of current inmates at the Hanover County Jail.

Visit the Hanover County Sheriff's Office website.
Navigate to the "Inmate Search" function.
Enter the individual's name or booking number.
View current incarceration status, charges, and bond information.

This database only includes currently incarcerated individuals and does not provide historical arrest records.

Virginia Sex Offender Registry

For information on registered sex offenders residing in Hanover County:

Visit the Virginia Sex Offender Registry.
Search by name, zip code, or address to locate registered offenders in Hanover County.
View offender information including photograph, address, and conviction information.

Important Limitations of Online Records:

Document images and complete case files are generally not available online.
Certain case types may be restricted from online access.
Juvenile records (under 18) are not available online.
Sealed or expunged records are not accessible.
Online records may not include older cases that have not been digitized.
Registration may be required for some systems.
The most comprehensive records remain available only through in-person requests.

For complete case files, certified copies, or older records, individuals must still contact the Hanover County Circuit Court Clerk or Hanover General District Court directly to request records in person or by mail.

Can You Search Hanover County Criminal Records for Free?

The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified in Virginia Code § 2.2-3704, establishes the right of Virginia citizens to inspect public records, including criminal records. While the law permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for copying and staff time, it also provides for free inspection of records during normal business hours.

Free In-Person Inspection Options:

Members of the public may inspect criminal records at no cost at the following locations:

Hanover Circuit Court Clerk
7530 County Complex Road
Hanover, VA 23069
Phone: (804) 365-6151
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Circuit Court Clerk

The Circuit Court Clerk maintains records of felony cases, which may be inspected at public access terminals in the clerk's office at no charge. While inspection is free, copying fees apply ($0.50 per page).

Hanover General District Court
P.O. Box 176
7530 County Complex Road, 1st Floor
Hanover, VA 23069
Phone: (804) 365-6290
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Hanover General District Court

The General District Court maintains records of misdemeanor cases and traffic violations, which may be inspected at no cost. Copying fees apply for printed records.

Free Online Resources:

Several online portals provide free access to basic criminal record information:

Virginia Courts Case Information System: This online portal provides free access to basic case information for Hanover Circuit Court cases, including defendant name, charges, hearing dates, and case status. No registration is required for basic searches.
Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System: This system provides free access to General District Court records, including criminal and traffic cases. The system displays case numbers, charges, hearing dates, and disposition information at no cost.
Hanover County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search: The Sheriff's Office maintains a free online database of current inmates at the Hanover County Jail, including booking information and charges.
Virginia Sex Offender Registry: The Virginia State Police maintain a free searchable database of registered sex offenders, including those residing in Hanover County.

What's Free vs. What Costs Money:

Free:

In-person inspection of public criminal records
Basic online case information through court websites
Current inmate information through the Sheriff's Office
Sex offender registry information

Fees Apply For:

Copies of court documents ($0.50 per page)
Certified copies of court records ($2.00 per document plus copy fees)
Criminal history reports from Virginia State Police ($15 per record)
Background checks for employment or housing purposes
Expedited record searches requiring staff research time

For comprehensive criminal background checks, individuals may need to pay fees to the Virginia State Police or use third-party background check services, which typically charge for their services.

What's Included in a Hanover County Criminal Record?

Criminal records maintained by Hanover County agencies contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records typically include the following categories of information:

Identifying Information:

Full legal name and any known aliases
Date of birth
Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
Mugshot/booking photograph
Current and previous addresses
State Identification (SID) number
FBI number (if applicable)
Fingerprint classification

Arrest Information:

Date and time of arrest
Arresting agency and officer
Booking number and facility
Charges filed at time of arrest with Virginia Code citations
Bail or bond amount and status
Detention facility information
Arresting circumstances (as documented in arrest reports)

Court Case Information:

Case number and court of jurisdiction
Filing date and case initiation information
Formal charges filed by the prosecutor with specific Virginia Code statutes
Classification of charges (felony class 1-6 or misdemeanor class 1-4)
Plea information (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
Defense attorney information
Prosecutor information
Judge assigned to the case
Pre-trial motions and rulings

Disposition Information:

Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, nolle prosequi)
Conviction date (if applicable)
Sentencing details:
- Incarceration terms (length, facility type)
- Fines and court costs imposed
- Restitution ordered
- Probation terms and conditions
- Community service requirements
Appeal information and outcomes
Probation/parole status and violations
Completion of sentence information

Additional Information:

Active warrants or pending charges
Protective orders or restraining orders
Sex offender registration requirements
DUI/DWI history and restrictions
Traffic violations connected to criminal charges
Probation or parole violations
Court-ordered treatment programs
Firearms restrictions

The Hanover Circuit Court Clerk maintains the most comprehensive criminal records for felony cases, while the Hanover General District Court maintains records for misdemeanor cases and traffic violations. The Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court maintains separate records for juvenile offenders and domestic violence cases, with stricter confidentiality protections.

Criminal records may also include references to related civil matters, such as asset forfeitures, restoration of rights proceedings, or expungement petitions. The level of detail available in publicly accessible records may vary based on the age of the case, the court of jurisdiction, and any applicable sealing or confidentiality orders.

How Long Does Hanover County Keep Criminal Records?

Hanover County maintains criminal records in accordance with the Library of Virginia Records Retention and Disposition Schedule, which establishes mandatory retention periods for various types of court and law enforcement records. These retention schedules are established pursuant to Virginia Code § 42.1-86, which governs the preservation of public records.

Circuit Court Criminal Records:

Felony Case Files: Permanent retention for cases involving capital murder, first and second-degree murder, and manslaughter. All other felony cases are retained for 20 years after final disposition.
Criminal Order Books/Final Order Index: Maintained permanently.
Criminal Docket Books: Retained permanently.
Exhibits and Evidence: Retained until all appeal periods have expired, typically 30 days after final judgment for district court cases and 90 days for circuit court cases, unless extended by appeal.

General District Court Records:

Misdemeanor Case Files: Retained for 10 years after final disposition.
Traffic Case Files: Retained for 10 years after final disposition.
Criminal Warrant Books: Retained for 10 years.
DUI Case Files: Retained for 10 years after final disposition.

Law Enforcement Records:

Arrest Records: Retained for 75 years from date of arrest.
Incident Reports: Retained for 30 years for felonies and 10 years for misdemeanors.
Investigation Case Files: Retained for 75 years for felonies and 30 years for misdemeanors.
Fingerprint Cards: Retained for 75 years.
Booking Photographs: Retained for 75 years.

Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court Records:

Juvenile Delinquency Records: Generally destroyed when the juvenile reaches 19 years of age if five years have elapsed since the last hearing, except for serious offenses which are retained longer.
Juvenile Felony Records: Retained until the juvenile reaches 29 years of age for serious offenses.

Special Retention Considerations:

Expunged Records: Following a court-ordered expungement pursuant to Virginia Code § 19.2-392.2, records are removed from public access and either physically destroyed or sealed.
Sex Offender Records: Maintained for the duration of registration requirement, which may be 15 years, 25 years, or lifetime depending on the offense.
Death Penalty Cases: All records are permanently retained.
DNA Evidence: In felony cases, retained for the period of incarceration.

While these retention periods establish minimum requirements, many records, particularly those with historical significance or precedential value, are maintained permanently by the Hanover Circuit Court Clerk. Additionally, even after physical records may have been destroyed according to retention schedules, information about criminal cases may still exist in various databases, including the Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

Lookup Criminal Records in Hanover County

Court Case Information

Hanover General District Court Records

Virginia Courts Case Information System

Hanover Circuit Court Clerk Records

Virginia Judicial System