Loudoun County Criminal Records
What Is Loudoun County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Loudoun County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Virginia Code § 19.2-389, which establishes the framework for criminal history record information in the Commonwealth.
Criminal records encompass several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, including the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office or local police departments
- Conviction Records: Official records of guilty verdicts or pleas in criminal cases
- Court Records: Documentation of criminal proceedings, including arraignments, hearings, trials, and sentencing
- Incarceration Records: Information regarding time served in the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center or other correctional facilities
The distinction between arrest and conviction records is significant. Arrest records document that an individual was taken into custody but do not indicate guilt, while conviction records confirm that a person was found guilty of a criminal offense either through trial or plea agreement.
Criminal offenses in Loudoun County are categorized as:
- Felonies: Serious crimes punishable by imprisonment of more than one year
- Misdemeanors: Less serious offenses typically punishable by up to twelve months in jail
Juvenile records (those involving individuals under 18) are generally sealed and not accessible to the public, in accordance with Virginia Code § 16.1-301, which protects the confidentiality of juvenile records.
Several agencies maintain criminal records in Loudoun County:
Loudoun County Sheriff's Office
803 Sycolin Road SE
Leesburg, VA 20175
703-777-0407
Loudoun County Sheriff's Office
Clerk of the Circuit Court
18 East Market Street
Leesburg, VA 20176
703-777-0270
Clerk of the Circuit Court
Loudoun County Circuit Court
18 East Market Street
Leesburg, VA 20176
703-777-0270
Loudoun Circuit Court
Virginia State Police
Criminal Records Exchange
P.O. Box 27472
Richmond, VA 23261
804-674-2000
Virginia State Police
Are Criminal Records Public In Loudoun County
Criminal records in Loudoun County are generally considered public information under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), specifically § 2.2-3706, which governs access to criminal records. This statute establishes that adult criminal records are presumptively open to public inspection, with certain exceptions.
The Virginia FOIA states: "All public records shall be open to inspection and copying by any citizens of the Commonwealth during the regular office hours of the custodian of such records." This provision ensures transparency in government operations, including the criminal justice system.
However, not all criminal records are publicly accessible. The following categories of records have restricted access:
- Ongoing Investigations: Records related to active criminal investigations are exempt from disclosure under § 2.2-3706(B)(1)
- Juvenile Records: Records pertaining to minors are generally sealed pursuant to Virginia Code § 16.1-301
- Expunged Records: Records that have been legally expunged are removed from public access
- Sealed Court Records: Records sealed by court order are not available to the public
- Certain Victim Information: Personal identifying information of victims may be redacted
Court proceedings in Loudoun County are presumptively open to the public, as established by the Virginia Constitution and reinforced by the Virginia Supreme Court. This means that members of the public may attend most criminal court proceedings, including arraignments, trials, and sentencing hearings, unless specifically closed by a judge.
Adult conviction records are the most accessible form of criminal records, while records of arrests that did not lead to convictions may have more restricted access. The Loudoun County Circuit Court maintains records of felony cases and more serious misdemeanors, while the General District Court handles records for less serious misdemeanors and traffic violations.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Loudoun County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Loudoun County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county provides multiple avenues for record retrieval, depending on the specific information sought and its intended use.
To conduct a criminal record search in Loudoun County, individuals may follow these steps:
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Determine the specific record needed: Identify whether you need court records, arrest records, incarceration information, or a comprehensive criminal history.
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Submit an online request: The most efficient method is to submit a request through the county's FOIA management system. This centralized portal allows requesters to specify the exact records needed and track the status of their request.
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Visit the appropriate agency in person: For immediate access to certain records, individuals may visit:
Loudoun County Clerk of the Circuit Court
18 East Market Street, 2nd Floor
Leesburg, VA 20176
703-777-0270
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
Clerk of the Circuit Court
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Request criminal history checks: For official criminal history information, individuals may request a records check through the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office. This service provides information on convictions recorded by the Sheriff's Office.
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Access court case information: Search for specific court cases through the Virginia Judiciary's Online Case Information System.
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Submit a written request: For those unable to use online systems, written requests may be submitted to:
Loudoun County FOIA Officer
1 Harrison Street SE
Leesburg, VA 20175
703-777-0204
When requesting records, individuals should provide:
- Full name of the subject (including aliases)
- Date of birth or approximate age
- Case numbers (if known)
- Date range for the search
- Specific information requested
- Purpose of the request (for certain records)
Pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.2-3704, agencies must respond to requests within five working days, either by providing the records, denying the request with specific legal justification, or requesting additional time to fulfill the request.
How To Find Criminal Records in Loudoun County Online?
Loudoun County offers several online resources for accessing criminal records digitally. These electronic systems provide convenient access to various types of criminal justice information without requiring in-person visits to government offices.
The primary online resources for criminal record searches include:
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Virginia Judiciary Case Information System: The Virginia Courts Case Information portal provides access to court records from both the Loudoun Circuit Court and General District Court. Users can search by name or case number to find information on criminal cases, including charges, hearing dates, and case outcomes. This system includes records from 1990 to the present for Circuit Court cases.
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Loudoun County Sheriff's Office Daily Incident Reports: The Sheriff's Office publishes daily incident reports and community crime reports that document recent law enforcement activity. These reports include information on arrests, incident locations, and nature of reported crimes.
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Loudoun County Inmate Search: Current information about individuals incarcerated in the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center is available through the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office website. This database includes booking information, charges, and custody status.
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Virginia Sex Offender Registry: Information about registered sex offenders residing in Loudoun County can be accessed through the Virginia State Police Sex Offender Registry.
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Loudoun County Public Records Request Portal: For records not available through the above resources, individuals may submit requests through the county's online FOIA portal. This system allows for electronic submission of requests for specific criminal records.
When using these online systems, users should note:
- Some systems require registration or the creation of a user account
- Certain detailed information may only be available through in-person requests
- Online records may not include all historical cases, particularly those predating digital record-keeping
- Case information is updated regularly but may not reflect real-time status
- Some sensitive information may be redacted from online records
For comprehensive criminal background checks, the Virginia State Police maintains the Central Criminal Records Exchange, which provides official criminal history information for a fee.
Can You Search Loudoun County Criminal Records for Free?
Loudoun County provides several options for accessing criminal records at no cost, in accordance with Virginia Code § 2.2-3704(F), which states that public bodies may charge only for the actual cost of accessing, duplicating, supplying, or searching for requested records.
Free access to criminal records is available through the following methods:
In-Person Inspection
Members of the public may inspect criminal records at no cost by visiting:
Loudoun County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
18 East Market Street, 2nd Floor
Leesburg, VA 20176
703-777-0270
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
The Clerk's Office provides public access terminals where visitors can search court records at no charge. These terminals are located on the fourth floor of the Courts Complex across from the elevators and inside the Clerk's Office.
Online Resources
Several free online resources provide access to criminal record information:
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Virginia Judiciary Case Information System: This online portal allows free searches of court cases in Loudoun County Circuit and General District Courts.
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Daily Incident Reports: The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office publishes daily incident reports on their website at no cost. These reports document recent law enforcement activity and arrests.
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Crime Dashboard: Loudoun County maintains a Crime Dashboard that provides statistical information about criminal activity in the county, available free of charge.
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Virginia Sex Offender Registry: Information about registered sex offenders in Loudoun County is freely accessible through the Virginia State Police Sex Offender Registry.
While basic inspection and certain online searches are free, fees may apply for:
- Copies of records (physical or electronic)
- Certified copies of court documents
- Comprehensive criminal history reports
- Records requiring extensive staff time to locate or redact
The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office charges fees for official criminal history checks, which provide verified information about an individual's criminal record within the county.
What's Included in a Loudoun County Criminal Record?
Criminal records in Loudoun County typically contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The content of these records is standardized in accordance with Virginia Code § 19.2-389, which governs criminal history record information.
A complete criminal record generally includes the following components:
Identifying Information
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Mugshot or booking photograph
- Residential address at time of arrest
- State Identification (SID) number
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Information
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency (e.g., Loudoun County Sheriff's Office)
- Booking number and facility
- Charges filed at arrest with corresponding Virginia Code sections
- Bail or bond information
- Detention facility information
Court Case Information
- Court case number
- Court of jurisdiction (Circuit Court or General District Court)
- Filing date
- Formal charges filed by the prosecutor
- Classification of offenses (felony or misdemeanor with class designation)
- Plea entered
- Defense attorney information
- Prosecutor information
- Hearing dates and proceedings
Disposition Information
- Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, nolle prosequi)
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration length
- Probation terms
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution ordered
- Special conditions (treatment programs, community service)
- Appeal information (if applicable)
- Probation/parole status and violations
Additional Information
- Active warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI offenses
- Traffic violations connected to criminal charges
- Pending charges
- Post-conviction relief (expungements, pardons)
The level of detail in criminal records may vary depending on the source of the information and the stage of the criminal justice process. Records maintained by the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office may contain different information than those held by the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
How Long Does Loudoun County Keep Criminal Records?
Loudoun County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Library of Virginia under the authority of the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia § 42.1-76 through § 42.1-91). These schedules dictate how long different types of criminal records must be preserved before they may be destroyed or archived.
The retention periods for various criminal records in Loudoun County are as follows:
Felony Case Records
- Circuit Court case files: Permanent retention
- Conviction records: Permanent retention
- Index to felony cases: Permanent retention
- Grand jury indictments: Permanent retention
Misdemeanor Case Records
- General District Court case files: 10 years after case conclusion
- Conviction records: 10 years after case conclusion
- Traffic cases resulting in criminal charges: 10 years after case conclusion
Arrest Records
- Arrest reports resulting in charges: 10 years for misdemeanors, permanent for felonies
- Arrest reports not resulting in charges: 3 years
Incarceration Records
- Inmate files for felony offenders: 10 years after release
- Inmate files for misdemeanor offenders: 3 years after release
- Jail visitor logs: 3 years
Investigative Records
- Felony investigations resulting in arrest: Permanent
- Felony investigations not resulting in arrest: 10 years
- Misdemeanor investigations: 3 years after conclusion
Sex Offender Registration
- Sex offender registration records: Permanent
Juvenile Records
- Juvenile court records: Until subject reaches age 19 unless otherwise ordered by the court
- Juvenile criminal records: Sealed upon reaching age 19 if eligible under Virginia Code § 16.1-306
It is important to note that while records may be retained for the periods specified above, this does not necessarily mean they remain publicly accessible for the entire retention period. Access restrictions may apply based on the nature of the records and applicable exemptions under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.
The Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains permanent records of felony cases and significant misdemeanors, while the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office retains law enforcement records according to the schedules outlined above.
Lookup Criminal Records in Loudoun County
Loudoun County Sheriff's Office
Crime Dashboard and Community Reports