Highland County, Virginia Warrant Records
Are Warrants Public Record in Highland County, Virginia?
Warrant records are public in Highland County, Virginia, pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA), Code of Virginia § 2.2-3700 et seq. This legislation establishes that all public records maintained by public bodies shall be open to inspection and copying by any citizens of the Commonwealth, subject to specific statutory exemptions. Warrant records, as judicial documents, fall within the scope of public records accessible under this Act.
The Highland County Circuit Court maintains these records in accordance with state regulations. Public access to warrant information serves multiple governmental functions, including:
- Ensuring transparency in judicial proceedings
- Facilitating public oversight of law enforcement activities
- Providing citizens with information regarding potential legal actions that may affect them
- Supporting the constitutional principle of open courts
Certain warrant information may be temporarily sealed by judicial order during active investigations or when disclosure might compromise public safety. In such instances, access may be restricted until the sealing order expires or is lifted by the court.
What Is Contents in Warrant Records in Highland County?
Warrant records maintained by Highland County authorities typically contain the following standard elements as required by Virginia law:
- Full legal name and known aliases of the subject
- Date of birth and/or age of the subject when available
- Physical description including height, weight, and identifying characteristics
- Case number and warrant identification information
- Date of issuance and name of issuing judicial officer
- Statutory citation of alleged offense(s)
- Classification of offense (felony or misdemeanor)
- Bond amount, if applicable
- Service status (served, unserved, recalled)
- Return information documenting execution of the warrant
- Court appearance dates and requirements
These records are maintained in standardized formats as prescribed by the Supreme Court of Virginia pursuant to Code of Virginia § 17.1-502, which establishes uniform systems for recordkeeping in circuit courts throughout the Commonwealth.
How to Check For Warrants in Highland County For Free
Members of the public may verify warrant status in Highland County through several no-cost methods established by local authorities:
- In-person inquiry at the Highland County Circuit Court Clerk's Office located at 165 W. Main Street, Monterey, VA 24465. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
- Direct contact with the Highland County Sheriff's Office at 165 W. Main Street, Monterey, VA 24465. Telephone: (540) 468-2210.
- Utilization of public access terminals available at the courthouse during regular business hours.
- Written request submitted to the Clerk of Court with specific identifying information pursuant to Virginia Code § 17.1-208.
Individuals seeking information should be prepared to provide proper identification and specific information about the subject of the inquiry. Pursuant to Virginia Code § 19.2-389, certain criminal history information may have restricted access depending on the requestor's status and purpose.
Highland County Sheriff Warrants
The Highland County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for the execution of warrants within county jurisdiction. Sheriff's warrants in Highland County are categorized as follows:
- Arrest warrants: Judicial orders authorizing the apprehension of individuals charged with criminal offenses
- Bench warrants: Court-issued directives for the arrest of persons who have failed to appear for scheduled court proceedings
- Capias warrants: Orders for the arrest of individuals who have violated terms of probation or failed to comply with court orders
- Search warrants: Judicial authorization for law enforcement to search specified locations for evidence of criminal activity
The Sheriff's Office maintains a dedicated warrants division responsible for processing and serving these documents in accordance with Virginia Code § 19.2-76, which governs the execution of process. Deputies are required to make reasonable attempts to serve warrants promptly upon receipt from the court.
Highland County Sheriff's Office 165 W. Main Street Monterey, VA 24465 (540) 468-2210 Highland County Sheriff's Office
How to Know If You Have a Warrant in Highland County in 2025
Individuals seeking to determine warrant status in Highland County in 2025 may utilize several official channels established by local authorities:
- Direct verification through the Highland Circuit Court located at 165 W. Main Street, Monterey, VA 24465. The Clerk's Office maintains regular business hours Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
- Contact with the Highland County Sheriff's Office at (540) 468-2210 for warrant status inquiries.
- Utilization of the Virginia Judiciary Case Information System, which provides limited online access to court records.
- Written request to the Clerk of Court with appropriate identifying information.
Pursuant to Virginia Code § 19.2-390, law enforcement agencies are required to maintain accurate records of outstanding warrants. Individuals with active warrants are advised to consult with legal counsel regarding appropriate steps to address pending legal matters.
How to Check For Outstanding Warrants in Highland County
The verification of outstanding warrants in Highland County is facilitated through established procedures maintained by local judicial and law enforcement authorities:
- The Highland County Circuit Court Clerk's Office provides public access to warrant information during regular business hours at 165 W. Main Street, Monterey, VA 24465. Telephone: (540) 468-2447.
- The Highland County Sheriff's Office maintains records of unserved warrants and can provide status information upon proper request at their office located at 165 W. Main Street, Monterey, VA 24465.
- Limited online access may be available through the Virginia Judiciary Case Information System for certain types of cases and warrants.
- Third-party background check services may provide warrant information, though such sources should not be considered official or comprehensive.
Inquiries regarding warrant status require proper identification pursuant to Virginia Code § 19.2-389, which governs the dissemination of criminal history record information. Individuals seeking information about others may be subject to restrictions based on privacy regulations and intended use of the information.
Search Warrant Records in Highland County
Official warrant records in Highland County are maintained by the following governmental entities in accordance with Virginia public records laws:
Highland County Circuit Court 165 W. Main Street Monterey, VA 24465 (540) 468-2447 Highland Circuit Court
Highland County Sheriff's Office 165 W. Main Street Monterey, VA 24465 (540) 468-2210 Highland County Sheriff's Office
Virginia Department of Social Services (Child Support Enforcement) 801 East Main Street Richmond, VA 23219 (800) 468-8894 Virginia Child Support Services
Pursuant to Virginia Code § 17.1-208, the clerk of each court is required to maintain records of all proceedings, which includes warrant information. These records are available for public inspection during regular business hours unless specifically sealed by judicial order or exempted by statute.
Individuals seeking warrant information should note that certain records may be subject to redaction to protect confidential information such as social security numbers, financial account information, and other personal identifiers as specified in Virginia Code § 2.2-3705.1.
