Criminal records in Stafford County, Virginia, are available through several channels. StaffordCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about criminal cases. Additionally, records can be checked through the state's online court system portal, the clerk's office of the Stafford Circuit Court, and the county sheriff's office. Below is a practical guide to searching, understanding, and obtaining these records.
How to Search Criminal Records in Stafford
There are several ways to start a search. Which one to choose depends on what you already know about the case and how urgently you need the result.
Online Search
- StaffordCourt.us — enter the full name of the person to view publicly available information about criminal cases in the county.
- Case Status and Information Portal of the Virginia court system — statewide search for adult criminal cases in Circuit Courts, General District Courts, and Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Courts. Searchable by name or case number.
- Inmate Locator of the Virginia Department of Corrections — useful if the person is in VADOC custody. Shows the place of detention and the estimated release date.
In-Person Visit
Visit the Stafford Circuit Court Clerk's Office. The public records viewing room is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. There are terminals for self-searching cases.
Written Request
You can send a request by mail to the clerk's office at the above address or submit a FOIA request through the county's Citizens Assistance Office. Provide the full name of the person, date of birth (if known), and case number — this will significantly speed up processing.
To start a search, you usually need:
- Full name (in Latin script, as in court records)
- Date of birth (preferably)
- Case number (if available)
Search Stafford Criminal Cases by Case Number
Each criminal case in Virginia is assigned a unique number. The format depends on the court level.
In Circuit Court, the number usually looks like this: CRddxxxxxx-00, where "CR" stands for criminal case, "dd" are the last two digits of the filing year, and the six digits after them are the sequential number. The suffix "-00" may indicate the main charge, while "-01", "-02", etc., refer to additional charges in the same case.
In General District Court, the format is slightly different, but the principle is the same — a letter prefix defines the type of case, followed by the year and sequential number.
Knowing the number, you can quickly find the case on the state's court system portal or through terminals in the clerk's office. The case number provides the most accurate result and eliminates confusion with namesakes.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Stafford
When you find the case, the records contain several key blocks of information.
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific section of the Virginia Code (e.g., § 18.2-95 — grand larceny) |
| Severity | Felony, Misdemeanor, or Infraction |
| Amended charge | Amended charge — the prosecutor may reduce or reclassify the initial charge |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, no decision has been made yet
- Active — proceedings are ongoing, hearings are scheduled
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed
Types of Hearings
The case goes through several stages:
- Arraignment — the first court hearing where the charges are read to the accused, and they plead guilty or not guilty
- Preliminary hearing — a preliminary review for felony cases in District Court, where the judge determines if there is enough evidence to transfer to Circuit Court
- Pre-trial — a pre-trial hearing to resolve procedural issues
- Trial / Sentencing — the main court hearing and, if found guilty, sentencing
- Review hearing — a review hearing often related to probation conditions
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a decision on the merits |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor declined to prosecute |
| Deferred disposition | Decision deferred — often conditional on meeting certain requirements (program, probation) |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Stafford
A certified copy of a criminal record is a document with the court's official seal, confirming its authenticity. Such copies are often required for employment, immigration cases, or legal procedures.
Where to Apply
Certified copies of court records are issued by the clerk's office of the Stafford Circuit Court. The court clerk is Hon. Kathy M. Sterne.
Ways to Submit a Request
- In person — visit the office during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID.
- By mail — send a written request to the clerk's mailing address. Include the full name, date of birth, case number (if known), and purpose of the request. Add payment in the form of a money order or cashier's check.
- FOIA request — for records held by the county, you can submit a Freedom of Information Act request through the Citizens Assistance Office.
To obtain a full state criminal history record, a request is submitted to the Virginia State Police — Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE). This is a separate procedure that involves fingerprinting.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Stafford
Fees are determined by the Virginia Code (specifically § 17.1-275 and related provisions). Below are approximate rates for the Circuit Court clerk's office.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.50 |
| Document certification | $2.00 per document |
| Registry search fee | May be charged separately; check with the office |
| Criminal check through Virginia State Police (CCRE) | Depends on the type of request; usually from $15 (name-based) to $34+ (fingerprint-based) |
Processing times vary. A simple copy request at the office is usually completed within a few business days, sometimes immediately upon in-person request. Mail requests take longer — from one to two weeks, depending on the volume. Requests through the Virginia State Police for a full criminal history may take 10 to 15 business days.
Before visiting or sending a request, call the office at (540) 658-8750 to confirm current rates and acceptable forms of payment — fees may change periodically.