Warrants are public records in Southampton County, Virginia, pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA), Code of Virginia § 2.2-3700 et seq. The VFOIA establishes that 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. Warrant information is maintained as part of the judicial record system and is therefore accessible to the public with certain statutory exceptions.
The Southampton County court system maintains these records in accordance with state regulations. Public access to warrant information serves multiple governmental purposes, including:
Certain warrant information may be temporarily sealed by judicial order, particularly in cases where premature disclosure might compromise an ongoing investigation or endanger individuals. Such restrictions are governed by Virginia Code § 19.2-54, which outlines the procedures for sealing search warrants under specific circumstances.
Warrant records maintained by Southampton County authorities typically contain specific information as required by Virginia Code § 19.2-72 and related statutes. Standard warrant documentation includes:
For search warrants specifically, records will additionally contain:
These records are maintained by the Southampton General District Court as part of their official case documentation.
Members of the public may verify warrant status in Southampton County through several no-cost methods established by Virginia law. The following official channels provide warrant information without charge:
Southampton County Sheriff's Office
22336 Main Street
Courtland, VA 23837
Phone: (757) 653-2100
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Southampton County Clerk's Office
Southampton County Courthouse
22350 Main Street
Courtland, VA 23837
Phone: (757) 653-2200
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Individuals seeking warrant information should be prepared to provide proper identification and may be required to submit a formal records request in accordance with VFOIA procedures. Pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.2-3704, agencies have five working days to respond to such requests, though extensions may apply under certain circumstances.
The Southampton County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants within county jurisdiction. Sheriff warrants are issued under the authority of the Southampton General District Court or Circuit Court and fall into several categories:
The Sheriff's Office maintains a dedicated warrants division that processes and serves these legal documents throughout the county. Deputies are authorized to execute warrants at any time of day or night for felony offenses, while misdemeanor warrants typically require daytime service unless otherwise specified by the issuing magistrate.
The magistrate's office serving Southampton County issues various types of warrants and operates 24 hours per day to ensure continuous judicial oversight of law enforcement activities. Magistrates review affidavits submitted by law enforcement officers to determine if probable cause exists before issuing warrants.
Individuals seeking to determine if they are subject to an active warrant in Southampton County may utilize several official verification methods. The following procedures have been established to provide this information:
Pursuant to Virginia Code § 19.2-390.3, certain warrant information may be accessible through electronic means, though complete warrant details may require in-person verification. The Southampton County Sheriff's Office does not provide warrant status information via email due to identity verification requirements and privacy considerations.
Outstanding warrants in Southampton County may be verified through established governmental channels. The Virginia Code authorizes several methods for obtaining this information:
Southampton General District Court
22350 Main Street
Courtland, VA 23837
Phone: (757) 653-2673
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Individuals may also utilize the Virginia Department of Corrections Inmate Locator to determine if a person has been taken into custody on an outstanding warrant. This resource provides information on individuals currently in state custody or under supervision.
When checking for outstanding warrants, requestors should be prepared to provide:
Law enforcement agencies maintain warrant databases that are updated continuously as new warrants are issued and existing warrants are served or recalled. The Southampton County Sheriff's Office coordinates with state and federal agencies through the Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN) and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) to ensure comprehensive warrant tracking.