Criminal records in Chesapeake, Virginia, are accessible through several channels. ChesapeakeCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for the city. Additional access points include Virginia's statewide court system, the Chesapeake Sheriff's Office, the Chesapeake Circuit Court Clerk's Office, and state-level law enforcement repositories. The sections below explain how to search, interpret, and request criminal records in Chesapeake.
How to Search Criminal Records in Chesapeake
Several methods are available depending on what you need and how quickly you need it.
Online Search Options
- ChesapeakeCourt.us — Start here to search publicly available court record information for Chesapeake criminal cases.
- Virginia Court Case Information System — The statewide portal maintained by the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia. It provides online access to criminal and traffic case information from circuit courts, general district courts, and juvenile & domestic relations district courts. Search by name or case number.
- VADOC Inmate Locator — The Virginia Department of Corrections tool lets you search for individuals currently incarcerated in state facilities, including those transferred from the Chesapeake City Jail.
What You Need to Search
- Defendant's full legal name (first and last; middle name helps narrow results)
- Date of birth (if available)
- Case number (if known)
- Court jurisdiction — Chesapeake falls within the 1st Judicial Circuit
In-Person Search
Visit the Chesapeake Circuit Court Clerk's Office. Public access terminals may be available during business hours for searching case records. You can also ask the clerk to look up specific cases.
By Mail or Written Request
Submit a written request to the Clerk of the Chesapeake Circuit Court at the address above. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth, and any known case numbers. For a state-level criminal history check, contact the Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE). The VSP accepts fingerprint-based background check requests by mail, which require a completed SP-167 form and applicable fees.
Search Chesapeake Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. Virginia uses a standardized case number format across its courts. A typical case number includes these components:
- Court code — A prefix identifying the court (e.g., "CR" for circuit court criminal, "GC" for general district court criminal)
- Year — A two-digit year indicating when the case was filed
- Sequential number — A numeric sequence assigned in the order the case was filed within that court and year
For example, a case number like CR25-001234 would indicate a circuit court criminal case filed in 2025 as the 1,234th case of that type for the year. Enter the full case number exactly as it appears — including any dashes or prefixes — when using the statewide case information system or requesting records from the clerk.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Chesapeake
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The Virginia Code section the defendant is charged under (e.g., § 18.2-95 for grand larceny) |
| Felony | Serious offense; carries potential imprisonment of one year or more in state prison |
| Misdemeanor | Less serious offense; punishable by up to 12 months in jail and/or fines |
| Infraction | Minor violation, typically traffic-related; usually results in a fine only |
| Amended charge | The original charge was changed — often reduced through a plea agreement |
Case Status
- Pending — The case is open and awaiting further court action
- Active — Proceedings are underway; hearings or trial dates are scheduled
- Disposed — The court has reached a final resolution (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.)
- Closed — All obligations fulfilled; no further court action expected
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — Defendant is formally advised of charges and enters a plea
- Preliminary hearing — A judge determines whether enough evidence exists to send a felony case to the grand jury
- Pre-trial — Motions, discovery issues, and scheduling matters are addressed
- Trial — The case is heard before a judge or jury
- Sentencing — The judge imposes a sentence after a guilty finding or plea
- Review hearing — Follow-up hearing to check compliance with court orders or probation conditions
Court Results
- Guilty — Defendant was convicted, either by plea or at trial
- Not guilty — Defendant was acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — Charges were dropped by the court or the prosecution (nolle prosequi)
- Nolle prosequi — The Commonwealth's Attorney elected not to prosecute
- Deferred disposition — Judgment is withheld pending completion of conditions (e.g., community service, treatment programs)
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Chesapeake
From the Clerk of the Circuit Court
The Chesapeake Circuit Court Clerk's Office is the custodian of circuit court criminal case files. To obtain certified copies:
- Visit in person or submit a written request by mail.
- Provide the defendant's full name, date of birth, and case number if available.
- Present valid government-issued photo identification if requesting in person.
- Pay the applicable copy and certification fees (see fee section below).
From the Virginia State Police (State Criminal History)
For a comprehensive criminal history report covering all Virginia jurisdictions, submit a request to the Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange:
- Fingerprint-based check — Required for most official background checks. Submit a completed SP-167 form with a fingerprint card.
- Name-based check — Available for certain purposes. Contact VSP for eligibility.
Requests can be submitted by mail to the VSP CCRE or through authorized channelers. Processing typically requires fingerprinting at a local law enforcement agency or authorized vendor.
From the Chesapeake Sheriff's Office
The Chesapeake Sheriff's Office manages the city jail and may provide limited booking or incarceration records. Contact them directly for availability and procedures.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Chesapeake
Fees for court record copies in Virginia are established under Virginia Code § 17.1-275 and the circuit court clerk's fee schedule.
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Uncertified copy (per page) | $0.50 | Standard rate under Va. Code § 17.1-275 |
| Certified copy — first page | $2.00 | Includes certification seal |
| Certified copy — each additional page | $0.50 | Same document |
| Search fee (clerk's office) | Varies | Contact the clerk for current rates |
| VSP criminal history record (name-based) | $15.00 | Submitted to Virginia State Police CCRE |
| VSP criminal history record (fingerprint-based) | $15.00+ | Additional vendor/fingerprinting fees may apply |
Processing Times
- In-person requests at the clerk's office — Often available same day for simple copy requests
- Mail requests to the clerk — Typically 5–10 business days, depending on volume
- VSP criminal history (fingerprint-based) — Usually 10–15 business days; expedited processing may be available for an additional fee
Payment methods accepted at the Chesapeake Circuit Court Clerk's Office typically include cash, check, and money order. Contact the clerk at (757) 382-3000 to confirm current accepted payment methods before visiting.