Warrants are public records in Frederick County, Virginia, pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA), Code of Virginia § 2.2-3700 et seq. This legislation establishes that most government records, including warrants, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The transparency provisions within VFOIA are designed to promote governmental accountability and provide citizens with access to information pertaining to law enforcement activities within their jurisdiction.
Warrant records in Frederick County are maintained by the Frederick County Sheriff's Office and the Frederick/Winchester General District Court. These documents remain accessible to the public unless sealed by judicial order under Virginia Code § 19.2-54, which provides for the sealing of certain warrant information when disclosure might compromise an ongoing investigation or endanger individuals. Public access to these records serves the dual purpose of ensuring that individuals can verify the existence of warrants that may affect them and enabling community oversight of judicial proceedings.
Warrant records maintained by Frederick County authorities typically contain the following information pursuant to Virginia Code § 19.2-72:
Members of the public may access warrant information in Frederick County without charge through several official channels:
Pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.2-3704, agencies must respond to requests for public records within five working days, though this period may be extended by an additional seven working days with proper notification to the requestor.
The Frederick County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants within the unincorporated areas of Frederick County. Sheriff warrants are official legal documents issued under the authority of Virginia Code § 19.2-71 by a magistrate or judge of the Frederick/Winchester General District Court, authorizing law enforcement personnel to take specific actions.
These warrants typically fall into several categories:
The Frederick County Sheriff's Office maintains a dedicated warrants division that operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. This unit is tasked with processing and executing warrants throughout the county jurisdiction. The Sheriff's Office coordinates with other local, state, and federal agencies to apprehend individuals with active warrants across jurisdictional boundaries.
Frederick County Sheriff's Office
1080 Coverstone Drive
Winchester, VA 22602
Phone: (540) 662-6168
Frederick County Sheriff's Office
Individuals seeking to determine if they have an active warrant in Frederick County may utilize several official methods established under Virginia public records laws. The Frederick/Winchester General District Court maintains current warrant information that is accessible through multiple channels:
Pursuant to Virginia Code § 19.2-390.3, individuals are entitled to review information pertaining to warrants issued in their name. Regular verification of warrant status is advisable to address any outstanding legal obligations promptly and mitigate potential consequences such as arrest during routine interactions with law enforcement.
The verification of outstanding warrants in Frederick County may be accomplished through several official channels in accordance with Virginia public records statutes:
When conducting warrant searches, requestors should be prepared to provide specific identifying information including full legal name, date of birth, and any known case numbers to facilitate accurate record retrieval. Pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.2-3704(H), agencies may require verification of identity when the requested records contain information of a personal nature.
The Virginia Department of Social Services maintains records related to child support enforcement warrants that may be issued when individuals fail to comply with court-ordered support obligations. These specialized warrants are executed in coordination with local law enforcement agencies including the Frederick County Sheriff's Office.
Virginia Department of Social Services - Division of Child Support Enforcement
801 East Main Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (800) 468-8894
Virginia Child Support Services
Individuals seeking to research warrant records in Frederick County should be aware that certain information may be redacted or restricted pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.2-3706, which provides specific exemptions for records that might compromise ongoing investigations or endanger individuals. Complete warrant information is available through: