Criminal records in Hampton, Virginia, can be accessed through online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. HamptonCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Additional access points include the Virginia court case information system, the Hampton Sheriff's Office, the Hampton Circuit Court Clerk's Office, and the Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange. The method you use depends on whether you need a quick case lookup or a certified record.
How to Search Criminal Records in Hampton
Several methods are available for searching criminal records in Hampton. What you need to get started depends on the method you choose, but having the person's full legal name, date of birth, or case number will make any search more effective.
Online Search Options
- HamptonCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information related to criminal cases in Hampton.
- Virginia Court Case Information System — The Case Status and Information portal maintained by the Virginia Judicial System allows you to search criminal and traffic case information in general district courts and circuit courts statewide, including Hampton. You can search by name or case number.
- Hampton Circuit Court — The Hampton Circuit Court directs users to the Virginia case management system for searching circuit court case information online.
- Virginia Department of Corrections Inmate Locator — If you are looking for someone currently incarcerated in a state facility, use the VADOC Inmate Locator to search by name.
- Hampton Sheriff's Office — The Inmate Records section of the Hampton Sheriff's Office website provides information about inmates currently held at the Hampton City Jail.
In Person
- Visit the Hampton Circuit Court Clerk's Office to search records through the Records Division. Public access terminals may be available for case lookups.
- The Hampton General District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases and traffic offenses. Visit the court clerk's window for case information.
- The Hampton Police Department's Central Records Unit can provide local criminal history checks for offenses that occurred within Hampton. These checks will not include juvenile offenses.
By Mail or Written Request
- Circuit Court Clerk's Office — Submit a written request for copies of criminal case records to the Hampton Circuit Court Clerk. Include the defendant's full name and case number if known.
- Virginia State Police — For a comprehensive criminal history record, submit a request to the Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange. This is the sole repository for criminal history records in Virginia under § 19.2-389. Requests typically require fingerprint submission for official background checks.
- FOIA Requests — You may also request records from the City of Hampton under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act for certain law enforcement records.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth (helpful for narrowing results)
- Case number (if known)
- Court where the case was filed (Circuit Court or General District Court)
Search Hampton Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. Virginia uses a standardized case numbering format across its courts.
A typical Virginia case number looks like this: CR00001234-00. Here is what each part means:
- Letter prefix — Indicates the case type. "CR" generally denotes a criminal case. "GC" may appear for General District Court criminal cases, and "FE" for felonies in some systems.
- Digits — A sequential number assigned to the case when it is filed.
- Suffix (-00, -01, etc.) — Distinguishes between multiple charges or counts within the same case. The suffix "-00" is the primary case, and additional suffixes represent related charges.
To search by case number, enter it into the Virginia Court Case Information System. Circuit court and general district court cases each have their own search interfaces on that portal. If you are unsure which court handled the case, try both.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Hampton
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | The Virginia Code section the defendant is charged under (e.g., § 18.2-95 for grand larceny) |
| Charge Description | Plain-language description of the offense |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction |
| Amended Charges | If the original charge is reduced or changed through a plea agreement or court action, the amended charge replaces the original |
Case Status
- Pending — The case is open and awaiting action (hearing, trial, or plea).
- Active — Proceedings are underway; the case has not been resolved.
- Disposed — The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.).
- Closed — All actions on the case are complete, including sentencing, payment of fines, or completion of probation.
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — The defendant is formally read the charges and enters an initial plea.
- Preliminary Hearing — In felony cases, a General District Court judge determines whether there is probable cause to send the case to Circuit Court.
- Pre-Trial — A hearing to address motions, discovery issues, or plea negotiations before trial.
- Trial — The case is heard before a judge or jury.
- Sentencing — After a guilty verdict or plea, the judge imposes a sentence.
- Review Hearing — A follow-up hearing to check compliance with court-ordered conditions such as probation or treatment programs.
Court Results
- Guilty — The defendant was found guilty or pleaded guilty.
- Not Guilty — The defendant was acquitted at trial.
- Dismissed — The charge was dropped by the court or the prosecution.
- Nolle Prosequi — The prosecution chose not to pursue the charge.
- Deferred Disposition — The court withholds a final judgment pending completion of conditions (common in first-offender programs).
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Hampton
Certified copies of criminal case records carry an official court seal and can be used for legal proceedings, employment verification, or immigration matters. The office you contact depends on the type of record you need.
Circuit Court Clerk's Office (Court Case Records)
The Records Division of the Hampton Circuit Court Clerk's Office handles requests for certified copies of criminal case documents filed in Circuit Court.
- In person: Visit the Clerk's Office and request copies at the records counter. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail: Send a written request including the defendant's full name, case number, the specific documents needed, and a return address. Include payment for applicable fees.
Hampton Police Central Records Unit (Local Criminal History)
The Central Records Unit of the Hampton Division of Police provides local criminal history checks for offenses that occurred within Hampton. These records do not include juvenile offenses. You will need a valid photo ID.
Virginia State Police (Statewide Criminal History)
For a complete Virginia criminal history, submit a request to the Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange. This is required for most official background checks. Requests generally require fingerprint cards (Form SP-167) and a processing fee. Forms and instructions are available through the Virginia State Police website.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Hampton
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Court record copies (Circuit Court) | $0.50 per page | Standard fee for non-certified copies under Virginia Code § 17.1-275 |
| Certification fee (Circuit Court) | $2.00 per document | Added to the per-page copy cost for certified copies |
| Local criminal history check (Hampton Police Central Records Unit) | $15.00 | Covers offenses within Hampton only; does not include juvenile records |
| Virginia State Police criminal history check (name-based) | $15.00 | Submitted to the Central Criminal Records Exchange |
| Virginia State Police criminal history check (fingerprint-based) | $15.00+ | May include additional FBI check fees if required |
Processing Times
- In-person court record copies: Often available the same day, depending on volume and record availability.
- Mail requests to the Circuit Court Clerk: Typically processed within 5–10 business days after receipt.
- Local criminal history check (Hampton Police): Usually processed within a few business days for in-person requests.
- Virginia State Police criminal history: Name-based checks may take 10–15 business days. Fingerprint-based checks may take longer, especially if an FBI check is included.
Fees are subject to change. Confirm current amounts with the issuing office before submitting payment. The Hampton Circuit Court Clerk's Office and the Central Records Unit both publish fee information on their respective pages.