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Portsmouth, Virginia Warrant Records

Are Warrants Public Record in Portsmouth, Virginia?

Warrants are public records in Portsmouth, Virginia, pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) codified in § 2.2-3700 et seq. of the Code of Virginia. This legislation establishes the public's right to access records maintained by public bodies, including law enforcement agencies, to ensure governmental transparency and accountability.

In Portsmouth, warrant records are maintained by the Portsmouth Sheriff's Office and the Portsmouth Police Department. These records typically contain information about the nature of the warrant, the individual named in the warrant, and the judicial authority that issued it. Public access to these records is subject to certain statutory exemptions designed to protect ongoing investigations, personal privacy, and public safety as outlined in § 2.2-3705.1 through § 2.2-3706 of the Code of Virginia.

Members of the public seeking warrant information may contact the Portsmouth Sheriff's Office Warrant Division for official warrant information. The Warrant Division is responsible for serving criminal warrants and actively searching for wanted persons throughout the city.

Where Can I Find Warrants Online in Portsmouth?

Several official resources are available for individuals seeking to locate warrant information online in Portsmouth:

Portsmouth Police Department Wanted Persons Page: The department maintains a current listing of individuals with active warrants. This resource includes photographs and descriptions of wanted persons.
Virginia Courts Case Information System: The Virginia Judiciary provides online access to case information, including warrant status, through their statewide database. This system allows for searches of adult criminal case information across district and circuit courts.
Portsmouth Sheriff's Office Warrant Information: The Sheriff's Office provides information about active warrants and procedures for warrant service.
Portsmouth Circuit Court Records: The Circuit Court maintains records of warrants issued within its jurisdiction, some of which may be accessible online.

Pursuant to Virginia Code § 17.1-293, certain identifying information may be redacted from online court records to protect privacy while maintaining public access to judicial proceedings.

How to Know If You Have a Warrant in Portsmouth in 2025

Individuals seeking to determine if they have an outstanding warrant in Portsmouth may utilize several official channels:

Contact the Portsmouth Sheriff's Office Warrant Division
801 Crawford Street
Portsmouth, VA 23704
Phone: (757) 393-5030
Official Website
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Check the Portsmouth General District Court Records
1345 Court Street, Suite 104
Portsmouth, VA 23704
Phone: (757) 393-8681
Official Website
Clerk's Office Hours: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Utilize the Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System
This statewide database allows searches for criminal cases, including warrant status, pursuant to Virginia Supreme Court Rule 2:3.
Consult with Legal Counsel
An attorney can conduct a confidential search for warrants and provide legal advice regarding any outstanding issues.

Under Virginia Code § 19.2-76, individuals named in a warrant must be provided with a copy of the warrant upon service, which includes information about the alleged offense and court appearance requirements.

How to Check For Outstanding Warrants in Portsmouth

The Commonwealth of Virginia provides multiple methods for checking outstanding warrants in Portsmouth:

Online Warrant Search
The Portsmouth Police Department maintains a database of wanted persons with active warrants. Additionally, the Virginia Courts Case Information System provides searchable access to court records that may indicate outstanding warrants.
In-Person Inquiry at Law Enforcement Agencies
Portsmouth Police Department
700 Crawford Street
Portsmouth, VA 23704
Phone: (757) 393-8000
Records Unit Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Court Records Request
Portsmouth Circuit Court
1345 Court Street
Portsmouth, VA 23704
Phone: (757) 393-8671
Official Website
Clerk's Office Hours: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Pursuant to Virginia Code § 19.2-54, all search warrants and related affidavits become public records after execution and return to the clerk of court, unless sealed by judicial order.

Contents of a Portsmouth Warrant Records

Portsmouth warrant records contain specific information as required by Virginia Code § 19.2-72 for arrest warrants and § 19.2-56 for search warrants. These records typically include:

Subject Identification: Full legal name of the individual, date of birth, physical description, and last known address when available.
Warrant Classification: Designation as an arrest warrant, bench warrant, capias, or search warrant.
Case Number: Unique identifier assigned by the issuing court for tracking purposes.
Issuing Authority: Name of the magistrate or judge who issued the warrant and the court of jurisdiction.
Offense Details: Description of the alleged criminal violation, including the Virginia Code section, date of offense, and classification as misdemeanor or felony.
Issuance Date: The date when the warrant was officially authorized and entered into the system.
Bond Information: Any predetermined bail amount or notation regarding bond eligibility.
Service Status: Indication of whether the warrant has been served, is outstanding, or has been recalled.

For search warrants, additional information includes the specific location to be searched and items to be seized, as well as the factual basis establishing probable cause.

Search Warrant Records in Portsmouth, Virginia

The Portsmouth Sheriff's Office Warrant Division maintains the official repository of warrant records for the city. This division is responsible for serving criminal warrants and actively searching for wanted persons throughout Portsmouth.

Members of the public seeking warrant information may submit requests through several channels:

Portsmouth Sheriff's Office
801 Crawford Street
Portsmouth, VA 23704
Phone: (757) 393-5030
Official Website
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Portsmouth Police Department Records Unit
700 Crawford Street
Portsmouth, VA 23704
Phone: (757) 393-8000
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.2-3704, public bodies must respond to FOIA requests within five working days. Requestors may be required to pay reasonable charges for the actual cost of accessing, duplicating, supplying, or searching for requested records.

For active warrants, the Portsmouth Police Department's Wanted Persons page provides information about individuals currently sought by law enforcement. Citizens with information about wanted persons are encouraged to contact the Criminal Investigation Division at (757) 393-8536.

The Virginia Courts Case Information System provides online access to court records that may include information about warrants issued through the judicial system. This resource allows for searches by name or case number across multiple jurisdictions.