Criminal records in Hanover County, Virginia, are maintained across several agencies, including the Circuit Court Clerk's office, the General District Court, and the Hanover County Sheriff's Office. HanoverCourt.us can help you find publicly available criminal case information for the county. You can also access records through Virginia's statewide court portals, law enforcement agencies, and by visiting or contacting the clerk's office directly. The type of record and the court that handled the case will determine which method works for your search.
How to Search Criminal Records in Hanover
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Hanover County. The method you choose depends on what you already know — a name, a case number, or the court level involved.
Online Search Options
- HanoverCourt.us — Start here to search for publicly available court record information related to Hanover County criminal cases.
- Virginia Courts Case Information System — The Virginia Judicial System's case search portal provides statewide access to criminal and traffic case information in General District Courts, Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Courts, and participating Circuit Courts. You can search by name or case number.
- Hanover County Court Case Information page — The county's Court Case Information page links to both the Circuit Court and General District Court online search tools. For Circuit Court cases, the county directs users to the Virginia Courts Case Information system for circuit courts.
- Hanover County Crime Map — The Sheriff's Office maintains a public crime data mapping tool that displays reported incidents. This is not a court records search but can help identify recent criminal activity by location.
- Virginia Department of Corrections Inmate Locator — To find someone currently in state custody, use the VADOC Inmate Locator. For local inmates, Pamunkey Regional Jail serves Hanover County.
In Person
- Visit the Hanover County Circuit Court Clerk's office to look up felony criminal cases and misdemeanor appeals. The clerk's office maintains case files and can assist with record searches.
- The Hanover General District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases and traffic offenses. Visit the courthouse to inquire about case records.
By Mail or Written Request
- Send a written request to the Hanover County Circuit Court Clerk for copies of specific criminal case records. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number.
- For a formal criminal history record check, submit a request to the Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE). This requires fingerprint submission and a processing fee. The Virginia State Police accept requests online through their website or by mail.
What you need to begin a search:
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth (helpful but not always required for online court searches)
- Case number (if available)
- Court level — Circuit Court or General District Court
Search Hanover Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, this is the fastest way to pull up a specific record. Virginia uses a standardized case number format across its courts.
A typical Virginia case number includes these components:
- Court FIPS code — A numeric code identifying the locality (Hanover County's FIPS code is 085).
- Case type prefix — Letters indicating the type of case. For criminal matters, common prefixes include "CR" for criminal cases in Circuit Court and "GC" for General District Court criminal cases.
- Year filed — A two-digit or four-digit year.
- Sequential number — A number assigned in the order the case was filed.
For example, a Hanover Circuit Court criminal case might appear as CR25-000123, while a General District Court case could look like GC25001234. The exact formatting may vary slightly between the Circuit Court and General District Court systems.
Enter the full case number into the appropriate online search tool — the Virginia Courts Case Information system for Circuit Court cases or the General District Court Online Case Information System for district-level cases. The system will return the matching case record directly, bypassing the need for a name search.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Hanover
Criminal case records in Hanover County contain several key data points. Here is what each one means.
Charges
- Statute code — The Virginia Code section the defendant is charged under (e.g., § 18.2-95 for grand larceny).
- Severity — Classified as felony, misdemeanor, or infraction. Felonies are heard in Circuit Court; most misdemeanors begin in General District Court.
- Amended charges — A charge may be reduced or changed through plea negotiations. The record will typically show both the original and amended charge.
Case Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pending | The case is open and awaiting a hearing or trial. |
| Active | The case is currently being processed or has ongoing conditions (e.g., probation). |
| Disposed | A final decision has been reached — guilty, dismissed, or otherwise concluded. |
| Closed | All matters related to the case are complete, including any sentencing or compliance requirements. |
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — The defendant is formally advised of charges and enters a plea.
- Preliminary hearing — A judge determines whether there is probable cause to send a felony case to Circuit Court. Held in General District Court.
- Pre-trial hearing — Addresses motions, evidence disputes, or plea offers before trial.
- Trial — The case is heard by a judge or jury.
- Sentencing — The judge imposes a sentence after a guilty verdict or plea.
- Review hearing — A follow-up to check compliance with court-ordered conditions.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant was found 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 case outcome is postponed, often contingent on completing conditions. |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Hanover
Certified copies of criminal case records carry the court's official seal and are accepted for legal, employment, and licensing purposes. In Hanover County, the office that handles your request depends on the court level.
Circuit Court Clerk's Office
The Hanover County Circuit Court Clerk handles felony criminal cases and misdemeanor appeals. You can request certified copies of case documents in person, by mail, or by phone inquiry.
General District Court
For misdemeanor and traffic criminal cases originally heard at the district level, contact the Hanover General District Court.
How to Submit a Request
- In person: Visit the appropriate clerk's office with a valid government-issued photo ID. Ask the clerk for certified copies of the specific case documents you need.
- By mail: Send a written request to the clerk's office that includes the defendant's full name, case number, the specific documents requested, and a return address. Include payment for applicable fees (check or money order payable to the Clerk of Court).
- State criminal history: For a comprehensive criminal background report, submit a request to the Virginia State Police CCRE. This requires fingerprinting and a separate application. Requests can be made online through the Virginia State Police website or by mail.
Identification Required
- Valid government-issued photo ID for in-person requests
- Fingerprint submission for state criminal history checks through the Virginia State Police
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Hanover
Fees for criminal record copies in Virginia courts are set by state statute (Virginia Code § 17.1-275 et seq.). The following are standard fees that apply in Hanover County.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of court record (per page) | $0.50 |
| Certification of a document | $2.00 per certificate |
| Search fee (clerk searches records on your behalf) | May vary; contact the clerk's office |
| Virginia State Police criminal history record check (name-based) | $15.00 |
| Virginia State Police criminal history record check (fingerprint-based) | $15.00 (state) + FBI fee if national check requested |
Processing Times
- In-person requests: Copies are often available the same day or within a few business days, depending on the volume and complexity of the request.
- Mail requests: Allow 1–2 weeks for processing and return mailing.
- Virginia State Police criminal history checks: Online requests through the Virginia State Police are typically processed within 10–15 business days. Fingerprint-based checks may take longer.
Contact the Circuit Court Clerk's office or the General District Court directly to confirm current fees and expected turnaround times before submitting your request.