Chesapeake VA Arrest Records Search | Police & Court

ByArrest Guider
Chesapeake, Virginia · City jail, Police reports, warrants, General District & Circuit Court

Trace a Chesapeake Arrest From Jail Custody to the Final Virginia Court Record

A Chesapeake arrest can create records in several different systems. The Sheriff’s inmate lookup answers current-custody questions; Chesapeake Police Central Records holds many arrest and offense reports; General District Court handles misdemeanors and felony preliminary hearings; and Circuit Court handles felony trials.

This guide shows exactly where each record belongs, how to verify identity, what to do when an arrest no longer appears in jail search, how to check warrants and bond, and how Virginia’s new 2026 criminal-record sealing rules affect older arrest records.

Search Chesapeake inmates Search Virginia court cases Get Police records
CHESAPEAKE RECORD ROUTER VERIFYING
SHERIFF INMATE LOOKUP CUSTODY
JAIL
GDC
CIRCUIT
COURT DISPOSITION
VERIFIED
ARREST → COURT MATCHED
Arrest is not conviction. A jail or Police record can show that a person was accused or detained. It does not establish that the prosecutor pursued the same charge or that the person was convicted. Verify the final court disposition.
Jail lookup

Official Sheriff inmate search for current correctional information.

Jail status

757-382-2883.

Police Records

757-382-6387.

Warrant Unit

757-382-6388 / 6389.

Felony Court

Circuit Clerk: 757-382-3000.

Record router

Do not search every Chesapeake record in the same place

SHERIFF / JAIL Is the person in custody?

Use Chesapeake Sheriff’s Inmate Lookup for the current correctional record.

Best for a recent booking or current jail status.
CHESAPEAKE POLICE What happened during the incident?

Central Records maintains Police offense reports, accident reports, record checks and many FOIA records.

The Police narrative is different from the jail record.
GENERAL DISTRICT Misdemeanor or new felony?

General District Court handles misdemeanors and preliminary hearings for serious felony charges.

A felony can later move to Circuit Court.
CIRCUIT COURT Did the felony move forward?

Chesapeake Circuit Court is the felony trial court and maintains the later felony record.

Use the final court order for formal proof.
VIRGINIA STATE POLICE Need statewide history?

Virginia State Police maintains the Central Criminal Records Exchange and SP-167 background-check process.

Current jail lookup is not historical criminal history.

Jump directly to the Chesapeake task

Record decoder

What a Chesapeake jail or court field actually proves

Do not give a booking field more legal meaning than it has
Field / record What it tells you What it does not prove Next step
Subject Number Sheriff-system identifier for the person. Guilt or conviction. Use to avoid a same-name error.
In Custody Current status displayed by the inmate inquiry. The person will remain held. Call jail when immediate status matters.
Booking / jail charge Allegation associated with jail intake. The prosecutor filed or proved that exact offense. Search court case.
Bond amount Release security associated with a charge/order at that time. No other hold prevents release. Verify all cases and detainers.
General District case Misdemeanor/traffic case or preliminary felony proceeding. A felony remained in district court. Search Circuit Court for felony.
Preliminary hearing District-court stage of a serious criminal accusation. Conviction. Check whether felony moved forward.
Circuit criminal case Felony-level trial-court proceeding. Every charged count ended in conviction. Read final order/disposition.
Capias / warrant Court or magistrate issued an arrest directive at that point. It remains active now. Call Warrant Unit.
Release The detention episode ended. The criminal case ended. Keep following court case.
Final order Court’s legal disposition on the specified case/count. Another arrest had the same result. Get certified copy if needed.
Identity safeguards

Confirm the correct Chesapeake defendant before using the record

Full legal name matches
Middle name / initial is consistent
Suffix or alias matches
Age or DOB is consistent
Subject Number matches the inmate
Physical description is consistent
Arrest date matches the known incident
Court case follows the same event
Never identify by mugshot alone. A photograph can be old, a name can be shared, and physical descriptions can change. Match several independent identifiers.
Historical arrest troubleshooting

Why an old Chesapeake arrest may disappear from inmate search

The Sheriff’s own disclaimer says its inmate lookup is not designed to provide complete offender records or a database of every past and present offender. That means a missing old arrest is not proof that the arrest never occurred.
The person was released Current jail search is primarily useful for correctional status, not permanent arrest-history research.
The case never required long-term jail custody Citation, summons, recognizance or rapid bond can leave little current-jail footprint.
The person transferred State-sentenced individuals can move to VADOC or another facility.
The arresting agency was not Chesapeake Sheriff Chesapeake Police normally owns Police arrest/offense reports.
The felony moved to Circuit Court The General District record is only the preliminary stage.
The name changed Search aliases, former surnames, hyphenated names and suffix variants.
The record was sealed or expunged Virginia’s 2026 sealing framework can remove qualifying records from ordinary public dissemination.
You need statewide criminal history Use Virginia State Police SP-167 rather than treating jail search as a rap sheet.
Historical-record call script
I am researching a Chesapeake arrest involving [full legal name], DOB [date], around [date]. The person no longer appears in current inmate search. Can you tell me whether your office maintains a past inmate/booking record and what identifying information or FOIA request is required to obtain the releasable record?
Arrest-to-disposition path

Follow a Chesapeake arrest through every stage

Police or deputy action Chesapeake Police or another law-enforcement agency creates the arrest/offense record.
Booking / Intake People entering Chesapeake Correctional Center are processed through Booking/Intake.
Magistrate / bond Eligible defendants receive information needed to complete the bonding process.
General District Court Misdemeanors are tried here; felony charges generally pass through preliminary proceedings here.
Felony continues A serious case that moves forward enters the Chesapeake Circuit Court felony process.
Arraignment / trial proceedings Circuit Court currently convenes at 9:30 a.m. for arraignments and 9:00 a.m. for criminal trials.
Final disposition Each count may result in conviction, dismissal, acquittal or another court order.
Local or state sentence A qualifying defendant can remain local or be transferred into Virginia Department of Corrections authority.
Correction / sealing Inaccurate information should be corrected; eligible accurate records may qualify for expungement or sealing.
Chesapeake Police Central Records

Request the arrest or offense report from Police

Chesapeake Police Department – Central Records Unit
304 Albemarle Drive, 2nd Floor
Chesapeake, VA 23322
Phone: 757-382-6387
Central Records is the Police Department’s records repository. The City states that citizens can request record checks/criminal histories, accident reports and offense reports through this unit. Picture identification is required for transactions.
Confirm Chesapeake Police investigated the event If Virginia State Police or another agency created the report, request it from that originating agency.
Gather the incident details Use full legal name, DOB when known, incident date/time and location.
Add the Police report number Use it whenever one was issued.
Add the court case number This helps connect an older Police event with its prosecution.
Ask for the specific record Examples include offense report, arrest report or specifically identified supplemental record.
Use a FOIA request when the record requires it Chesapeake Central Records handles most Police FOIA requests. Open Chesapeake FOIA process
Ask for an advance cost estimate Virginia FOIA gives eligible requesters the right to ask for estimated charges in advance.
Bring picture ID for in-person transactions Central Records accepts cash, check, credit card and money order for applicable financial transactions.
The City’s FOIA page states that qualifying Virginia FOIA requests generally require a response within five working days after receipt. Criminal-investigation records can be subject to statutory exemptions or redactions.
Copy-ready Chesapeake Police request
I request an electronic copy of the releasable Chesapeake Police arrest/offense report and specifically identified supplements concerning [full legal name], DOB [date], for the incident on [date/time] at [location]. Known identifiers include Police report number [number], Chesapeake jail Subject Number [number] and court case number [number]. Please advise me before processing if estimated charges will exceed $[amount] and identify the statutory basis for any withheld or redacted portion.
Sheriff inmate records

Request a past Chesapeake jail record through Sheriff FOIA

Chesapeake Sheriff’s FOIA page specifically identifies records of inmates held in the Correctional Center, past and present as a type of record the Sheriff’s Office maintains.
Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office FOIA
P.O. Box 15125
Chesapeake, VA 23328
Phone: 757-382-6159
Fax: 757-382-8972
Email: SheriffFOIA@cityofchesapeake.net
Use Sheriff FOIA for jail/inmate records Do not send a Chesapeake Police offense-report request to the Sheriff merely because the person was later jailed.
Describe existing records with reasonable specificity Virginia FOIA provides access to existing records; it does not require an agency to create a new report answering general questions.
Include Subject Number or booking information Add name, DOB and approximate custody dates.
Request electronic format when available The Sheriff says requesters can choose an electronic format already used in the regular course of business.
Ask for a cost estimate Do this before a large historical record request is processed.
Incident cross-check

Use Chesapeake Citizen Connect before requesting a Police file

Chesapeake’s official Citizen Connect system provides Police crime reports and mapping based on cases reported to the Chesapeake Police Department.
Open Crime Reports & Mapping Open Chesapeake crime mapping
Search the location and approximate date This can help confirm whether Police reported an event in the expected area.
Do not treat absence as proof no incident occurred The City says crime data changes daily and report review/approval can delay cases appearing in Citizen Connect.
Use the report information to improve your records request Add incident date, location and any available case identifier to Central Records.
Court routing

General District Court vs. Circuit Court

Chesapeake General District Court

  • Misdemeanor criminal cases.
  • Traffic violations.
  • Preliminary hearings for felony charges.
  • Criminal docket Monday–Friday at 8:30 a.m.
  • Pre-court criminal/financial: 757-382-3119.
  • Post-court criminal: 757-382-3134.

Chesapeake Circuit Court

  • Serious felony criminal cases.
  • Felony trials and judgments.
  • Appeals from General District Court.
  • Criminal trials generally convene at 9:00 a.m.
  • Arraignments generally at 9:30 a.m.
  • Clerk: 757-382-3000.
Felony search rule: finding an initial felony charge in General District Court is not enough. Search Chesapeake Circuit Court too if the charge moved forward.
Misdemeanor + preliminary felony

Search Chesapeake General District Court criminal cases

Chesapeake General District Court
307 Albemarle Drive
Chesapeake, VA 23322
Main: 757-382-3100
PreCourt Traffic/Criminal/Financial: 757-382-3119
Post Court Traffic/Criminal: 757-382-3134
Clerk hours: 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Open Virginia Case Status & Information Open Virginia court case search
Choose General District Court Case Information Select Chesapeake as the locality when using locality-based search.
Use the case number when known This reduces same-name errors.
Otherwise search by defendant name Compare the hearing date and charge information.
Open every related criminal case Separate summonses or charges can produce multiple case numbers.
Read the disposition and hearing history Do not stop at the original offense description.
For a felony, check the preliminary result Determine whether the case was certified/otherwise moved to Circuit Court.
Continue to Circuit Court Search the later felony record for the prosecution and final disposition.
Felony court

Search the Chesapeake Circuit Court felony record

Chesapeake Circuit Court
307 Albemarle Drive, Suite 300A
Chesapeake, VA 23322
Clerk: 757-382-3000
Clerk hours: 8:30 a.m.–3:45 p.m.
Open Case Status & Information Open Virginia case information
Choose Circuit Court Case Information or OCIS statewide search Use Chesapeake as the locality where prompted.
Search the felony case number If you only know the General District number, also try the defendant name.
Match the defendant carefully Compare name, arrest date and underlying charge.
Find arraignment and charging events These explain what felony accusation actually reached Circuit Court.
Follow motions, plea and trial events The charge can be amended during prosecution.
Locate the final order Use the later court judgment rather than the original booking charge.
Chesapeake Circuit criminal terms currently begin on the first Tuesday of each month at 2:00 p.m., subject to the court’s holiday/election-day adjustment. Grand juries are scheduled for the first day of each term.
Final proof

How to verify the actual outcome of a Chesapeake arrest

Identify the court that entered the final result Misdemeanor → usually General District Court. Felony → Circuit Court.
Find each related case number Never assume one booking equals one court case.
Read every count separately A defendant can be convicted of one offense while another count is dismissed.
Identify the final disposition Look for conviction, dismissal, nolle prosequi, acquittal or another final order.
Ask the correct Clerk for a certified copy when required Formal employment, licensing, immigration, legal or record-correction matters can require certified documentation.
Copy-ready court request
I need a certified copy of the final disposition and final order in Commonwealth of Virginia v. [defendant], Chesapeake case number [number]. Please confirm the current copy/certification cost, whether the final order is available, and the available pickup or mail procedure.
Outstanding warrants & summonses

Verify Chesapeake warrant status with the Warrant Unit

Chesapeake’s Magistrate Office specifically directs questions concerning outstanding warrants and summonses to the City’s Warrant Unit.
Chesapeake Warrant Unit
757-382-6388
757-382-6389
Search the court case first Read the newest entry rather than an old warrant event.
Identify the issuing court A General District warrant and Circuit Court capias should be traced through the correct case.
Call the Warrant Unit Provide full legal name, DOB and case number when available.
Remember the Magistrate cannot disclose pending-charge information The City’s Magistrate page directs those inquiries to the Warrant Unit.
For your own warrant, contact counsel before taking action A lawyer can verify court requirements, bond and safe surrender procedure.
Never attempt to confront or detain another person because of an online warrant reference.
Scam check: if someone calls demanding immediate payment to cancel a warrant, independently call the Warrant Unit or court using the official numbers above. Do not use the number provided by the caller.
Bond and release

Confirm every Chesapeake charge and detainer before paying bond

Chesapeake Correctional Center states that people who are eligible to post bond receive the information needed to complete the bonding process. People may bond out 24 hours a day, but release occurs only after all required Magistrate/court paperwork and authorizations are completed.
Confirm current custody Call 757-382-2883.
List every active charge One defendant can have more than one case.
Identify the newest bond order A later Magistrate or court action can alter earlier information.
Ask about detainers Jail Records personnel handle information concerning charges, bond, court appearances, sentences and detainers.
Ask what form of bond is authorized Do not assume that cash, surety or recognizance is available in a particular case.
Confirm the exact payment procedure Get instructions from the jail, Magistrate or court—not a social-media post.
Keep every receipt and bond document Save the case number and payment record.
Bond-verification script
I am calling about [full legal name], Subject Number [number]. Please confirm every active charge, warrant and detainer, the current bond status for each case, whether the person is eligible to bond, the exact amount or conditions required, and whether anything else would delay release after all authorized bond requirements are completed.
Video visitation

Schedule Chesapeake Correctional Center visitation correctly

Chesapeake Correctional Center uses video visitation. The Sheriff’s current FAQ states that visitors must register and visits must be scheduled at least 24 hours before the appointment.
Check custody first A release or transfer can make a scheduled visit impossible.
Open Sheriff’s Inmate Info The page provides the current video-connect and on-site visitation actions. Open Chesapeake inmate information
Register with the provider linked by the Sheriff Use the live Sheriff page rather than a third-party directory.
Schedule at least 24 hours ahead Do not arrive expecting an unscheduled visit.
Confirm on-site versus remote requirements Available visit type, times and fees can differ.
Follow current visitor identification and conduct rules Review the provider/facility instructions before the appointment.
Treat ordinary family video visits as non-confidential. Do not discuss admissions, witnesses, evidence or defense strategy.
Current mail system

Send Chesapeake inmate mail to the correct address

Regular personal inmate mail is currently scanned and made available on inmate tablets. Legal mail, court documents, bank statements, packages and publications continue to be sent directly to the facility.

Regular personal postal mail

Inmate Name and Securus ID#
Chesapeake, VA C/O Securus DMC
PO BOX 22706
Tampa, FL 33622
Use exact inmate name
Include Securus ID number
Print name and ID clearly outside envelope/postcard
Regular letters/cards are scanned
Do not send legal mail to scanning address blindly
Check current package/publication rules first

Direct-to-facility categories

Legal mail

Continues to facility directly.

Court documents

Send to facility under current instructions.

Bank statements

Not routed as ordinary scanned mail.

Packages/publications

Verify approval requirements first.

Physical jail address
Chesapeake Correctional Center
400 Albemarle Drive
Chesapeake, VA 23322
A separate older Sheriff FAQ can still surface an earlier mail-processing address. Use the current Inmate Info page above as the live source before mailing personal correspondence.
Commissary and deposits

Chesapeake inmates can order up to $125 per week

Chesapeake Correctional Center currently permits one commissary order of up to $125 per week, provided the inmate has enough money in the account.
Official deposit methods published by the Sheriff
Method How to use it Important rule
Online Use Access Corrections. Verify inmate before payment.
Telephone Call 1-866-345-1884. Keep transaction confirmation.
Lobby kiosk Kiosk at 400 Albemarle Drive. Confirm recipient carefully.
Postal money order Mail to Keefe Commissary, 400 Albemarle Dr., Chesapeake, VA 23322. Postal money order only.
Not accepted by mail Cash, personal checks, two-party checks. Do not place these in the mail.
Deposit through Access Corrections
Calls and video communication

Published Chesapeake inmate telephone hours are 8 a.m.–11 p.m.

Telephones are available in general housing units from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. daily.
Confirm current custody Do not fund a communication account after transfer/release.
Use the provider linked by Chesapeake Sheriff Friends/family can establish a prepaid telephone account through the current provider.
Published provider phone 877-578-3658.
Review current call/video pricing before funding Provider rates and taxes can change.
Keep legal strategy off ordinary calls Use attorney-client channels for privileged communications.
Open Sheriff-linked communication service
Court-appointed defense

Contact the Chesapeake Public Defender

Chesapeake Public Defender
135 Hanbury Road West, Suite D
Chesapeake, VA 23322
Phone: 757-382-0098
Fax: 757-382-0096
Request appointed counsel through the court Public-defender representation depends on financial eligibility and the type of criminal case.
Save the court case number Identify whether the matter is in General District or Circuit Court.
Complete the required indigency process The court—not this article—determines qualification.
Call the Public Defender after appointment or for office guidance 757-382-0098.
Tell counsel about every case, warrant and detainer Multiple matters can affect release and defense planning.
Use confidential legal communication Do not discuss defense strategy on ordinary jail telephone or video systems.
Victim / Witness Assistance

Get Chesapeake case notifications and victim support

Chesapeake Sheriff’s Victim/Witness Assistance Program helps crime victims and witnesses navigate the criminal-justice process.
Chesapeake Sheriff Victim/Witness Assistance Program
P.O. Box 15125
Chesapeake, VA 23328
Main office: 757-382-6417
Financial-assistance information
Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund guidance
Court-ordered restitution information
Advance judicial-proceeding notification
Case-status information
Disposition information
Court-process guidance
Service referrals
Open Victim/Witness Assistance
Virginia state custody

Use VADOC after a Chesapeake defendant enters state custody

Virginia Department of Corrections updates its Inmate & Supervisee Locator daily.

VADOC locator includes

  • People in VADOC institutions.
  • Probationers and parolees under district supervision.
  • Institutional-hospital assignments.
  • Certain people in local/regional jails under VADOC authority.
  • Community Corrections Alternative Program participants.

It does not replace

  • Chesapeake current-jail search.
  • Chesapeake Police arrest report.
  • General District Court record.
  • Circuit Court judgment.
  • Virginia State Police criminal-history report.
Search by DOC ID when known VADOC accepts a seven-digit DOC ID.
Otherwise search by name The locator requires at least the first three letters of the first name and the full last name.
Use additional filters if needed Location, race, gender and age-range filters are available.
Return to Circuit Court for the conviction record State custody status is not a substitute for the judgment.
Search VADOC inmate / supervisee
Statewide criminal history

Request a Virginia State Police SP-167 criminal-history report

Virginia State Police’s Central Criminal Records Exchange is the Commonwealth’s criminal-record repository. For general-public name searches, use Form SP-167.
Processing

Standard processing is approximately 15 business days after VSP receives the request.

No rush service

VSP currently offers no expedited or same-day background-check service.

Notarization

SP-167 requires the appropriate applicant/requester signatures to be notarized.

Open Virginia State Police Criminal Record Check Open VSP criminal-history instructions
Select SP-167 for general-public use Individuals, members of the public, private companies and out-of-state agencies can use this form under the current rules.
Generate the current form online The form must then be printed for submission under VSP’s current procedure.
Have required signatures notarized If another person/agency is designated to receive the result, its signature requirements also apply.
Use the fee generated for your request type VSP’s current FAQ references $15 and $20 background-check requests depending on the product. Follow the amount printed/generated for your specific request rather than assuming one universal fee.
Optional Remote Online Notary VSP’s current public interface offers RON notarization for an additional $25 when the request qualifies.
Mail to CARE Virginia State Police, Civil & Applicant Records Exchange, 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, VA 23235.
Compare Chesapeake entries with court records A criminal-history entry should be checked against the actual General District or Circuit disposition.
Virginia State Police says an SP-167 returns a complete Virginia criminal history. It is not a nationwide FBI record.
VSP Area 47 — Chesapeake / Portsmouth / Suffolk
1557 S. Military Highway
Chesapeake, VA 23320
Phone: 757-424-6788
Incorrect record

Correct a wrong Chesapeake arrest record at its source

Virginia State Police gives a direct instruction when criminal-history information is wrong: contact the arresting agency.
Identify exactly what is wrong Wrong identity, wrong charge, missing dismissal, wrong DOB or missing disposition require different fixes.
Compare all source systems Check Sheriff inmate records, Chesapeake Police records, General District Court, Circuit Court and VSP history.
Obtain authoritative proof Examples include a certified dismissal, final order or corrected Police record.
Wrong arrest information → arresting agency For a Chesapeake Police arrest, begin with Police Central Records.
Wrong court disposition → correct court/Clerk District and Circuit records are separate.
Ask how the correction is reported to VSP State criminal-history information depends on source-agency reporting.
Order another VSP record after processing if necessary Verify the state record reflects the correction.
Copy-ready correction request
I am requesting correction of the record associated with [full legal name / DOB], Police or Sheriff record number [number], and court case [number]. The record currently states [incorrect information]. The attached [certified dismissal / final order / amended order / corrected report] establishes [correct information]. Please correct the originating record and advise how the update will be transmitted to the Virginia Central Criminal Records Exchange and other government systems that received the original information.
Major Virginia change in 2026

Virginia now has broader criminal-record sealing routes

Virginia criminal-record law changed substantially in 2026. Older web pages that say only acquittals or dismissed charges can receive relief are now incomplete. Virginia has a new sealing chapter covering some convictions and deferred dismissals, while the older expungement statute remains relevant during the 2026 transition.

1. Traditional expungement for acquittal / dismissal

As of August 2026, Virginia Code §19.2-392.2 remains effective until December 1, 2026 for qualifying police/court record expungement. A person who was acquitted or whose charge received nolle prosequi or qualifying dismissal may petition under that section. The current statute says there is no court filing fee or cost for a petition under subsection A.
Obtain the final Chesapeake disposition Confirm acquittal, nolle prosequi or qualifying dismissal.
Identify the arresting agency and arrest date Preserve these before filing.
Use the current Virginia court form Do not use a pre-2026 private template.
File in the proper Chesapeake court under the current statute Because Virginia is transitioning its record-relief system, verify which current form applies on the filing date.

2. Petition sealing for convictions and deferred dismissals

Virginia Code §19.2-392.12 now allows petition-based sealing of certain misdemeanors, Class 5 or Class 6 felonies, and qualifying grand-larceny-type offenses with offense dates on or after January 1, 1986, subject to extensive eligibility requirements and exclusions.
Important §19.2-392.12 eligibility concepts
Rule Current requirement
Court File in the Circuit Court of the city/county where the case was disposed.
Court filing fee No court fees or costs for the petition under this section.
Eligible broad classes Certain misdemeanors, Class 5/6 felonies and specified larceny offenses, except statutory exclusions.
Misdemeanor clean period Generally 7 years after the latest relevant event identified by the statute without a new reportable criminal conviction.
Felony clean period Generally 10 years after the latest relevant event identified by the statute without a new reportable criminal conviction.
Serious felony history Class 1/2 or life-punishable felonies are disqualifying; Class 3/4 and other felony-history lookback restrictions also apply.
Restitution Court-ordered restitution on the matter must be paid in full.
Lifetime petition limit Generally no more than two petitions may be granted under §19.2-392.12 for different sentencing events.
Manifest injustice The statute requires the court to evaluate whether continued dissemination causes or may cause manifest injustice.
Many offenses are expressly excluded from this petition route, including specified violent, domestic-violence, DUI, sexual and other offenses. Never determine eligibility from the words “misdemeanor” or “Class 6 felony” alone.

3. Special petition route for certain lower-level offenses

Virginia Code §19.2-392.12:1 provides a separate route for specific offenses associated with the automatic-sealing system. For qualifying petitions under subsection A, the statute generally requires seven years since conviction or deferred-dismissal date without a new reportable criminal conviction during that period.
Petitions under §19.2-392.12:1 do not require court filing fees/costs and are not counted toward the two-petition lifetime maximum that applies to §19.2-392.12.

4. Automatic sealing

Virginia’s new law also provides automatic sealing for specified lower-level offenses when statutory requirements are met. For listed convictions, the current law generally requires seven years without a new reportable criminal conviction and no simultaneous conviction that makes the event ineligible.

Chesapeake filing workflow

Search every Chesapeake case connected with the arrest Include General District and Circuit Court case numbers.
Obtain the final disposition Determine whether the case ended in acquittal, nolle prosequi, dismissal, deferred dismissal or conviction.
Identify the exact offense code and offense date Virginia sealing eligibility depends on the statutory offense and date.
Identify arrest date and arresting agency Current petition forms request this information.
Check the correct statute Traditional expungement, §19.2-392.12 sealing and §19.2-392.12:1 sealing have different eligibility rules.
Use current Supreme Court of Virginia forms Current forms include CC-1201, CC-1201(A), CC-1203, CC-1203(A) and CC-1203(B). Open Virginia criminal-sealing forms
File in Chesapeake Circuit Court when the statute requires Circuit filing 307 Albemarle Drive, Suite 300A, Chesapeake, VA 23322.
Include warrant, summons or indictment when reasonably available The petition statutes specify supporting case information.
Attend the hearing if one is required The Commonwealth’s Attorney can respond to the petition and the court applies statutory criteria.
Keep the sealing/expungement order permanently Use it to correct public-government records that fail to update properly.
2026 transition warning: Virginia’s old expungement statute, new petition-based sealing statutes and automatic-sealing framework overlap during this transition period. Use the law and forms effective on the actual filing date—not an article written before July 1, 2026.
Open VSP sealing instructions Open current sealing forms
Contacts and maps

Chesapeake jail, Police and court contact board

Chesapeake Correctional Center
400 Albemarle Drive
Chesapeake, VA 23322

757-382-2883

Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office
401 Albemarle Drive
Chesapeake, VA 23322

757-382-6159

Police Central Records
304 Albemarle Drive
Chesapeake, VA 23322

757-382-6387

Police Non-Emergency

757-382-6161

Emergency: 911.

Warrant Unit

757-382-6388

757-382-6389

General District Court

757-382-3100

307 Albemarle Drive.

Circuit Court

757-382-3000

307 Albemarle Drive, Suite 300A.

Public Defender

757-382-0098

135 Hanbury Road West, Suite D.

Chesapeake Correctional Center

Chesapeake Police Department

Chesapeake General District & Circuit Court

Courthouse security: Chesapeake Sheriff states that everyone entering the courthouse is subject to search. Weapons, knives, pepper spray, cameras/camera phones, recording devices, glass containers and various other items are prohibited.
Practical Chesapeake summary

The shortest reliable path for each arrest-record problem

Someone arrested today

Search Sheriff inmate lookup → call 757-382-2883 if status is unclear → search General District case.

Need Police narrative

Central Records at 304 Albemarle Drive → provide report number/date/location → use FOIA where required.

Felony arrest

Search General District preliminary case → continue into Chesapeake Circuit Court → verify final order.

Old arrest missing from jail search

That is expected in some cases. Search court records, request historical inmate records and use VSP history where appropriate.

Possible active warrant

Read newest court entry → call Chesapeake Warrant Unit at 757-382-6388/6389.

Want record removed from public view

Identify disposition/offense/date → screen under Virginia’s current 2026 expungement and sealing laws → use current Supreme Court forms.

Title-related questions

Chesapeake VA arrest-record questions answered

How do I search Chesapeake VA arrest records?

Start with the Chesapeake Sheriff’s Inmate Lookup for current custody. Then search Chesapeake General District and, for a felony that moves forward, Circuit Court. Request the Police arrest/offense report separately from Central Records.

Does Chesapeake have a public inmate search?

Yes. Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office provides an official online inmate lookup. The Sheriff warns that the information changes quickly and is not a complete historical offender database.

Why can’t I find an old Chesapeake arrest in the jail lookup?

The Sheriff’s own disclaimer says the lookup is not designed as a database of every past and present offender. Search court records, Police/Sheriff records and Virginia State Police criminal history instead.

Which court handles Chesapeake misdemeanors?

Chesapeake General District Court handles misdemeanors and traffic offenses and conducts preliminary hearings for serious felony charges.

Where do I search a Chesapeake felony?

Check General District Court for the preliminary stage and Chesapeake Circuit Court for a felony that moved forward to the trial-court level.

How do I request a Chesapeake Police arrest report?

Contact Chesapeake Police Central Records at 304 Albemarle Drive or use the City’s FOIA process when required. Central Records can be reached at 757-382-6387.

How do I check a Chesapeake warrant?

Search the newest court entry and then verify current status with the Chesapeake Warrant Unit at 757-382-6388 or 757-382-6389.

How do I get a complete Virginia criminal history?

Use Virginia State Police Form SP-167. VSP states that the standard processing time is about 15 business days after receipt and no expedited or same-day service is available.

How do I correct a wrong Chesapeake arrest record?

Identify the originating agency, obtain certified proof of the correct information and request correction there first. Virginia State Police specifically tells people with incorrect criminal-history information to contact the arresting agency.

Can Chesapeake arrest records be sealed in 2026?

Some can. Virginia’s current law provides petition-based sealing for certain misdemeanors, Class 5 or 6 felonies and specified larceny offenses, plus special and automatic sealing routes. Qualifying acquittals and dismissals also remain subject to Virginia’s expungement/sealing transition rules. Use the current Virginia Court forms and statute in effect when filing.

Accuracy, identity and legal-use notice

Arrest Records is an independent informational guide. It is not the Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office, Chesapeake Correctional Center, Chesapeake Police Department, Chesapeake General District Court, Chesapeake Circuit Court, Virginia State Police, Virginia Department of Corrections or a law firm.

Custody, charges, bond, warrants, court dates and release status can change quickly. Verify multiple identity fields and obtain the current official court disposition before making a legal, employment, housing, financial, safety or publication decision.

Every arrested person is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. This guide provides general procedural information and is not legal advice.

Official-source review completed August 15, 2026. Virginia sealing information reflects laws and court forms in effect during the 2026 criminal-record-sealing transition.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *