Washington County, Virginia Warrant Records
Are Warrants Public Record in Washington County, Virginia?
Warrant records in Washington County, Virginia are considered public records in accordance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA), Code of Virginia § 2.2-3700 et seq. This legislation establishes the presumption that all government records are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law or withheld pursuant to a statutory exception. The Commonwealth of Virginia maintains this policy to ensure transparency in governmental operations and to facilitate citizen oversight of law enforcement activities.
Members of the public may access warrant information through designated channels established by the Washington County judicial system and law enforcement agencies. However, certain warrant records may be temporarily sealed during active investigations or permanently restricted if they contain sensitive information protected under Virginia Code § 2.2-3706, which governs criminal record information.
The Washington County Circuit Court Clerk's Office maintains official court records, including warrant documentation, at:
Washington County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
191 East Main Street
Abingdon, VA 24210
(276) 676-6224
Washington County Circuit Court
Operating hours for public record inspection are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding court holidays.
What Is Contents in Warrant Records in Washington County?
Warrant records maintained by Washington County authorities typically contain specific information as prescribed by Virginia Code § 19.2-72. Standard elements included in these official documents are:
• 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 • Residential address or last known location of the subject • Nature and classification of the alleged offense(s) • Virginia Criminal Code citation for the alleged violation(s) • Date and time the warrant was issued • Name and title of the judicial officer who issued the warrant • Case number and court docket information • Bond amount or notation if the subject is to be held without bond • Return of service information once executed
Pursuant to Virginia Code § 19.2-54, search warrant records must also include an inventory of any property seized during execution. These inventories become part of the public record after the warrant has been executed and returned to the court, unless sealed by judicial order.
How to Check For Warrants in Washington County For Free
Washington County residents and interested parties may verify warrant status through several no-cost methods established under Virginia public records provisions:
The Washington County Sheriff's Office maintains a public access terminal at their main office where citizens may conduct warrant inquiries during regular business hours:
Washington County Sheriff's Office
20281 Rustic Lane
Abingdon, VA 24210
(276) 676-6000
Washington County Sheriff's Office
Additionally, the Washington County General District Court provides public access to their records system:
Washington County General District Court
191 East Main Street
Abingdon, VA 24210
(276) 676-6279
Individuals seeking warrant information must provide proper identification and may be required to complete a formal request form in accordance with Virginia Code § 2.2-3704. Response to such requests must be provided within five working days, though complex requests may qualify for a seven-day extension under VFOIA provisions.
Washington County Sheriff Warrants
The Washington County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants within county jurisdiction as authorized under Virginia Code § 15.2-1609. Sheriff's deputies are empowered to serve various types of warrants including:
• Arrest warrants for criminal offenses • Bench warrants issued for failure to appear in court • Capias warrants for probation violations • Civil warrants related to court proceedings • Search warrants authorizing property inspection or seizure
The Sheriff's Warrant Division maintains records of all active warrants and coordinates with regional law enforcement agencies through the Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) to track individuals with outstanding warrants who may have left the jurisdiction.
Warrant execution procedures follow strict protocols established by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services and local policies designed to ensure public safety and protect constitutional rights during service attempts.
How to Know If You Have a Warrant in Washington County in 2025
As of 2025, Washington County has implemented enhanced systems for warrant verification in compliance with Virginia Code § 19.2-390.1 regarding criminal justice information systems. Individuals seeking to determine their warrant status may utilize the following official channels:
The Washington County Sheriff's Office provides warrant verification services by telephone or in person:
Washington County Sheriff's Office
20281 Rustic Lane
Abingdon, VA 24210
(276) 676-6000
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The Washington County Magistrate's Office can also confirm warrant status:
Washington County Magistrate's Office
191 East Main Street
Abingdon, VA 24210
(276) 676-6280
Available 24 hours daily
Individuals may be required to provide full legal name, date of birth, and government-issued identification when making inquiries. Third-party requests for warrant information may be subject to additional verification requirements pursuant to Virginia privacy protection statutes.
How to Check For Outstanding Warrants in Washington County
Verification of outstanding warrants in Washington County follows established procedures under Virginia Code § 19.2-390, which governs criminal history record information. Authorized methods include:
• In-person inquiry at the Washington County Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours • Written request submitted to the Circuit Court Clerk with required identifying information • Attorney-facilitated search through proper legal channels • Appearance at the Magistrate's Office for direct verification
The Virginia State Police also maintains a Criminal History Record Check system that may include warrant information:
Virginia State Police Criminal Records Exchange
P.O. Box 85076
Richmond, VA 23285
(804) 674-2000
Virginia State Police
Pursuant to Virginia Code § 9.1-132, certain warrant information may be accessible through the Virginia Criminal Information Network to authorized agencies and individuals with proper credentials and legitimate purpose.
Search Warrant Records in Washington County
• Washington County Sheriff's Office • Virginia Judiciary Case Information • Virginia State Police • Washington County Circuit Court
