Tazewell County Public Records / Tazewell County Arrest Records

Tazewell County Arrest Records

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Tazewell County in 2026

TazewellRecords.org provides data and publicly available information related to arrest records in Tazewell County, Virginia, helping members of the public locate records that may include booking details, charges, custody status, and court case information. The following record categories may be accessible through official and third-party sources:

Arrest and booking records
Jail roster and inmate custody status
Active warrants
Court case filings linked to arrests
Criminal history summaries

Records can be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following sections outline all available methods.

Online Methods:

1. County Sheriff's Office Arrest Records

The Tazewell County Sheriff's Office maintains current jail and inmate information accessible to the public through its official website. Members of the public may view the jail and inmate information portal, which provides a searchable roster of individuals currently in custody. The inmate lookup by custody status allows searches by name and returns booking number, charges, and custody classification. The warrant lookup tool enables searches for individuals with active warrants in the county. The roster is updated on a regular basis and reflects current detention status.

Available information includes:

Full name and booking number
Charges and charge classification
Custody status and housing unit
Bond amount and bond type
Arrest date and arresting agency

2. Local Police Departments

The Town of Tazewell Police Department and other municipal law enforcement agencies within the county may publish arrest logs or press releases through their respective websites or local media outlets. Members of the public seeking arrest information from a specific municipal jurisdiction should contact the relevant department directly, as online arrest log availability varies by agency.

Tazewell Police Department
200 Fincastle Turnpike
Tazewell, VA 24651
Phone: (276) 988-5528
Town of Tazewell

3. County Clerk of Court Case Search

Court cases arising from arrests in Tazewell County are filed in either the General District Court or the Circuit Court, depending on the severity of the charges. Members of the public may search case records through Virginia's Judicial System online portal. The Tazewell General District Court handles misdemeanor and traffic matters, while the Tazewell Circuit Court handles felony cases and appeals. Searching by an individual's name returns associated case numbers, charge descriptions, hearing dates, and disposition information.

4. State Law Enforcement Database

The Virginia Department of Corrections maintains a publicly accessible inmate and supervisee locator that allows members of the public to search for individuals currently under state custody or supervision. This tool returns the individual's location, facility assignment, and projected release date. It does not include individuals held at the county jail level. The Virginia State Police maintains the Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE), which serves as the state's official criminal history repository; personal record requests may be submitted directly to the Virginia State Police for a fee.

In-Person Access:

Sheriff's Office:
Tazewell County Sheriff's Office
108 Main Street
Tazewell, VA 24651
Phone: (276) 988-0645
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Tazewell County Sheriff's Office

Members of the public visiting in person should bring a valid government-issued photo identification and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject, approximate date of arrest, and booking number. Copy fees apply to printed records.

Clerk of Court:
Tazewell Circuit Court – Clerk's Office
Hon. Charity D. Hurst, Clerk of Court
101 Main Street
Tazewell, VA 24651
Phone: (276) 988-1222
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tazewell Circuit Court

Criminal case files are available for inspection at the clerk's office. Copy fees are assessed per page in accordance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Va. Code § 2.2-3704).

By Mail:

Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to the Tazewell County Sheriff's Office at 108 Main Street, Tazewell, VA 24651. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, approximate date of arrest, booking number if known, and the requester's return mailing address. Payment for applicable copy fees should accompany the request. Processing time varies based on request volume.

By Phone:

Sheriff's Office: (276) 988-0645
Callers should have the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date available
Phone inquiries provide limited information; staff may direct callers to the online portal or an in-person visit for detailed records

Through Legal Channels:

Attorneys may request arrest records and associated documentation through formal discovery processes. Subpoenas may be issued for records not otherwise available to the general public. In active legal proceedings, records are obtained through the court's discovery procedures.

Information Needed for Search:

Full legal name (first and last at minimum)
Date of birth or approximate age
Approximate date of arrest
Booking number (if known)
Jurisdiction of arrest (Sheriff's Office, municipal police, or state agency)

Are Arrest Records Public in Tazewell County

Arrest records in Tazewell County are public records under Virginia law. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA), codified at Va. Code § 2.2-3700 et seq., establishes that all public records are presumed open to inspection and copying by any member of the public unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Arrest records fall within this framework because they document official government action by law enforcement agencies.

The public availability of arrest records serves several recognized governmental and civic purposes:

Government transparency and accountability
Public safety awareness within the community
Support for journalism and academic research
Background screening by employers, landlords, and licensing agencies
Use in legal proceedings and civil litigation

What Arrest Information Is Public:

Arrestee name and known aliases
Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency and, in some cases, arresting officer
Charges filed at the time of arrest
Booking number
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Bond and bail information
Current custody status
Basic demographic information (age, physical description)

Limitations on Public Access:

Juvenile arrest records are restricted or sealed under Virginia law
Expunged arrest records are removed from public access following a court order
Records sealed by court order are not available to the general public
Information related to active investigations may be withheld
Undercover officer identities and confidential informant information are exempt
Victim identifying information may be withheld in certain offense categories
Witness protection participants are not identified in public records

Who Can Access Arrest Records:

General public
Media organizations and journalists
Employers, subject to restrictions under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
Landlords, subject to applicable fair housing laws
Professional licensing agencies
Background check companies operating under FCRA compliance
Attorneys and legal professionals
Academic researchers

Restrictions on Use:

The FCRA governs the use of arrest records in employment and tenant screening contexts. Employers subject to FCRA requirements must follow adverse action procedures when using arrest information. Virginia does not currently have a statewide "ban the box" law applicable to private employers, though certain localities have adopted fair chance hiring policies. An important distinction exists between an arrest record and a conviction record: an arrest alone does not establish guilt, and many jurisdictions restrict the weight that may be given to arrests that did not result in conviction.

What's in Tazewell County Arrest Records

Arrest records maintained by the Tazewell County Sheriff's Office and associated courts contain several categories of information. The scope of information available in a public arrest record differs from what is contained in a full police report or a comprehensive criminal history.

Personal Identification Information:

Full legal name and aliases
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Sex and race
Height, weight, eye color, and hair color
Identifying marks such as scars or tattoos
Address at time of arrest (may be partially redacted)

Arrest Details:

Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, municipal police, Virginia State Police)
Booking date and time
Booking number or arrest number
Warrant information, if the arrest was warrant-based

Charges Information:

Specific criminal charges
Virginia Code sections alleged to have been violated
Charge classification (felony class or misdemeanor class)
Number of counts per charge
Domestic violence or gang-related designations, where applicable

Booking Information:

Booking facility name and location
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprints (collected but not included in public-facing records)
Personal property inventory

Custody and Bond Information:

Current custody status (in custody, released, or transferred)
Bond amount set by the court or magistrate
Bond type: cash bond, surety bond, personal recognizance, or no bond
Release date and time, if applicable
Conditions of release, where publicly recorded

Court Information:

Court case number
Jurisdiction (General District Court or Circuit Court)
Scheduled arraignment or hearing date
Judge assignment, if available

What's Typically NOT in Public Arrest Records:

Detailed narrative of the arrest (contained in the police report)
Witness statements
Victim identifying information
Evidence collected or investigative techniques
Medical or mental health information
Social Security number (redacted)
Financial account information

Difference Between Arrest Records and Related Documents:

Police reports: Contain detailed incident narratives not routinely available to the public
Court records: Document legal proceedings that occur after the arrest
Criminal records: Reflect convictions and sentences, not merely arrests
Background checks: Aggregate information from multiple sources including court, law enforcement, and state repositories

How Much Does It Cost to Get Arrest Records in Tazewell County?

The cost to obtain arrest records in Tazewell County depends on the requesting office and the format of the records provided. Under Va. Code § 2.2-3704, public bodies may charge reasonable fees for the actual cost of providing records, but may not charge for the time spent reviewing records to determine what is releasable.

Record Type	Estimated Fee	Office
Paper copies (per page)	$0.25–$0.50	Sheriff's Office / Clerk of Court
Certified copies	$2.00–$5.00 per document	Clerk of Court
Electronic records	Varies; may be provided at no cost	Sheriff's Office
Criminal history (personal request)	$15.00–$20.00	Virginia State Police
Search fee	No statutory search fee	All offices

Online jail roster and inmate lookup: No charge
Online court case search via Virginia's Judicial System: No charge
In-person inspection of records: No charge for inspection; fees apply to copies
Accepted payment methods at the Clerk's Office: cash, check, or money order payable to the Clerk of Court
Accepted payment methods at the Sheriff's Office: cash or money order

Fee waiver provisions are not broadly established under VFOIA for routine record requests, though indigent individuals involved in legal proceedings may seek fee waivers through the court.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Tazewell County

Virginia law provides two primary mechanisms for limiting public access to arrest records: expungement (the legal erasure or destruction of records) and sealing (restricting public access while retaining the record). These are distinct remedies with different eligibility requirements.

Expungement under Va. Code § 19.2-392.2 allows a person to petition the Circuit Court to have arrest records physically destroyed or removed from public databases. Expungement is available in the following circumstances:

The charge was nolle prossed (prosecution declined) and the individual has no prior felony convictions
The individual was acquitted at trial
The charge was dismissed and the individual has no prior felony convictions
The individual was arrested but no charges were filed
The individual is the victim of identity theft and was arrested under another person's identity

Sealing became available in Virginia through legislation effective July 1, 2025, allowing certain misdemeanor convictions and deferred disposition cases to be sealed after a waiting period, restricting public access while preserving the record for law enforcement purposes.

Steps to Petition for Expungement:

Obtain a copy of the arrest record and associated court case number from the Tazewell Circuit Court Clerk's Office
File a Petition for Expungement in the Tazewell Circuit Court
Serve the petition on the Commonwealth's Attorney for Tazewell County
Attend the scheduled hearing; the court will determine eligibility
If granted, the court issues an order directing the Sheriff's Office, Virginia State Police, and other agencies to destroy or seal the records
Submit the court order to the Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange for state-level removal

Tazewell Circuit Court – Clerk's Office
101 Main Street
Tazewell, VA 24651
Phone: (276) 988-1222
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tazewell Circuit Court

Tazewell County Commonwealth's Attorney
108 Main Street
Tazewell, VA 24651
Phone: (276) 988-1220

Individuals seeking expungement or sealing are advised to consult with a licensed Virginia attorney, as eligibility depends on the specific disposition of the case and the individual's prior criminal history.

What Happens After Arrest in Tazewell County?

Immediate Post-Arrest Process:

1. Transport to Jail

Following an arrest, the individual is transported to the Tazewell County Jail, operated by the Tazewell County Sheriff's Office at 108 Main Street, Tazewell, VA 24651. Transport time varies based on the location of the arrest within the county.

2. Booking Process

Upon arrival at the jail, the booking process is initiated. This process takes approximately one to four hours depending on facility volume and the complexity of the intake. The booking process includes:

Recording of personal identification information
Advisement of Miranda rights (if not previously given)
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprint collection
Criminal history and outstanding warrant check
Personal property inventory and storage
Exchange of personal clothing for jail uniform
Medical and brief mental health screening
Housing classification assignment

3. First Appearance/Initial Hearing

Under Virginia law, an arrested individual must be brought before a magistrate or judge without unnecessary delay, and in most cases within 24 to 72 hours of arrest. At the initial appearance:

The individual is formally notified of the charges
The right to appointed counsel is addressed for those who are indigent
Bond or bail is determined
Rights are reviewed

The Tazewell General District Court handles initial appearances and preliminary hearings for criminal matters in the county.

Bond/Bail Process:

Types of Bond:

Cash Bond: The full bond amount is paid in cash to the jail or clerk's office. The amount is refunded at the conclusion of the case, minus applicable fees, provided the defendant appears at all court dates.

Surety Bond: A licensed bail bondsman posts the full bond amount on behalf of the defendant. The defendant pays a non-refundable premium, which is set by Virginia law at a maximum of 10% of the bond amount.

Personal Recognizance (PR Bond): The individual is released on a written promise to appear in court. No monetary payment is required. Eligibility is based on community ties, employment status, criminal history, the nature of the charges, and assessed flight risk.

No Bond: The individual is held without the possibility of bond. This applies in cases involving serious violent offenses, demonstrated flight risk, danger to the community, probation or parole violations, immigration holds, or out-of-state warrants.

Conditions of Release may include check-in requirements with pretrial services, travel restrictions, no-contact orders, drug or alcohol testing, GPS monitoring, and pretrial supervision.

4. Release or Continued Detention

If bond is posted, processing for release takes approximately one to eight hours. The individual receives a court date, written conditions of release, and a return of personal property. Failure to appear at any scheduled court date results in bond forfeiture and issuance of a capias warrant.

If bond is not posted, the individual remains in custody, receives a housing assignment, and is oriented to jail rules, commissary, phone privileges, and visitation schedules.

Accessing Legal Representation:

Public Defender's Office:
Tazewell County Public Defender
108 Main Street, Suite 200
Tazewell, VA 24651
Phone: (276) 988-5551

Eligibility for a public defender is based on financial need. Individuals who do not qualify may retain private counsel. The Virginia State Bar provides a lawyer referral service for those seeking private representation.

Charging Decision:

The Tazewell County Commonwealth's Attorney reviews the arrest and determines whether to file formal charges, request additional investigation, decline prosecution, or file different charges. For felony offenses, a grand jury may be convened to determine whether probable cause exists to proceed with an indictment.

Arraignment follows the filing of formal charges. The defendant enters a plea of not guilty, guilty, or no contest. The court sets subsequent hearing dates.

Court Process Overview:

The pretrial phase includes discovery, pretrial motions (including motions to suppress evidence or dismiss charges), pretrial conferences, and plea negotiations. Case resolution may occur through:

Dismissal: Charges dropped due to insufficient evidence, witness issues, or legal defects
Diversion programs: Pretrial intervention, drug court, mental health court, or veterans court; successful completion results in dismissal
Plea agreement: Defendant accepts a guilty or no contest plea in exchange for an agreed sentence or recommendation
Trial: Jury trial or bench trial; verdict of guilty or not guilty

Sentencing, if the defendant is convicted, may include incarceration, probation, fines, restitution, community service, treatment programs, or a combination. Credit is given for time served in pretrial detention.

Timeline Overview:

Stage	Typical Timeframe
Arrest to first appearance	24–72 hours
First appearance to arraignment	Days to weeks
Arraignment to trial/resolution	Months (varies widely)
Misdemeanor cases	30–180 days
Felony cases	3–12+ months

Important Contacts:

Tazewell County Sheriff's Office (Jail)
108 Main Street
Tazewell, VA 24651
Phone: (276) 988-0645
Tazewell County Sheriff's Office

Tazewell Circuit Court – Clerk's Office
101 Main Street
Tazewell, VA 24651
Phone: (276) 988-1222
Tazewell Circuit Court

Tazewell County Commonwealth's Attorney
108 Main Street
Tazewell, VA 24651
Phone: (276) 988-1220

Tazewell County Public Defender
108 Main Street, Suite 200
Tazewell, VA 24651
Phone: (276) 988-5551

What to Do If You're Arrested:

Remain calm and cooperative with law enforcement
Do not physically resist arrest
Exercise the right to remain silent by politely stating the intention to do so
Request an attorney immediately and do not waive this right
Do not discuss the case with anyone other than an attorney
Contact family or a trusted individual for assistance with bail
Attend all scheduled court dates without exception
Comply with all conditions of release

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Tazewell County?

Records Retention Overview:

The retention of arrest records in Virginia is governed by state law and the Library of Virginia's records retention schedules, which establish minimum retention periods for law enforcement and court records. Local agencies must comply with these schedules and may not destroy records before the applicable retention period expires.

Arrest Records Retention by Type:

Felony Convictions:

Retained permanently by the Sheriff's Office, Clerk of Court, Virginia State Police CCRE, and the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC)
Part of the individual's permanent criminal history

Misdemeanor Convictions:

Court records: Retained permanently in most cases
Local law enforcement records: Retained for a minimum of five to ten years depending on offense classification
State repository: Retained permanently

Dismissed Charges:

Local law enforcement: Retained for a minimum of three to five years
Court records: Often retained permanently unless expunged
State repository: Retained unless expungement order is received

Acquittals:

Local law enforcement: Retained for a minimum of three years
Court records: Often retained permanently
May be expunged upon petition under Va. Code § 19.2-392.2

Charges Not Filed / No Information:

Booking records: Retained for a minimum of three years
May be eligible for expungement

Retention by Agency:

Sheriff's Office:

Booking records and arrest reports: Minimum three to five years; longer for serious offenses
Investigative files: Varies by case outcome and offense classification

Clerk of Court:

Felony case files: Permanent
Misdemeanor case files: Ten years or permanent, depending on disposition
Traffic case files: Five to ten years
Electronic records: Permanent in most instances

Virginia State Police (CCRE):

Maintains arrest records from all jurisdictions in Virginia
Retention is permanent for most offense categories
Updated upon receipt of expungement orders from courts

FBI Database (NCIC / Interstate Identification Index):

Federal retention is permanent
Accessible to law enforcement agencies nationwide
Used in employment background checks for positions requiring federal clearance

Effect of Disposition on Retention:

Disposition	Public Retention	Expungement Eligible
Conviction (felony)	Permanent	No
Conviction (misdemeanor)	Permanent	Limited (sealing only)
Dismissal	Until expunged	Yes
Acquittal	Until expunged	Yes
No charges filed	3–5 years minimum	Yes

Third-Party Databases:

Commercial background check companies and mugshot websites may retain arrest records indefinitely and are not subject to the same retention schedules as government agencies. These entities are required under the FCRA to maintain reasonable procedures for accuracy, but they may not update records promptly following expungement. Individuals who have obtained an expungement order may need to contact third-party websites directly to request removal.

Impact on Background Checks:

Under the FCRA, most consumer reporting agencies limit the reporting of non-conviction arrest records to seven years. Convictions may be reported indefinitely. Virginia law does not currently impose a shorter reporting period for arrests without conviction in the private employment context, though this area of law continues to evolve.

How to Check Retention Status:

Members of the public may contact the Tazewell County Sheriff's Records Division at (276) 988-0645 to inquire about the status of a specific arrest record. A formal public records request submitted under VFOIA may be required to obtain written confirmation of record status. Fees may apply for copies of responsive records.