Find Busted Mugshots in Lee County

Lee County busted mugshots are public records maintained by the Sheriff's Office and the county jail. If you want to look up arrest records in Lee County, this page explains where to search, how to request booking photos, and which databases cover this far southwest Virginia county. Local arrest data feeds into state systems, so you have more than one way to track down the information you need.

Lee County Sheriff's Office

The Lee County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the county and the main source for local arrest records and booking photos. Every arrest made by the Sheriff's Office results in a booking record that includes the mugshot, personal details, and the charges filed. These records are held locally and also submitted to the Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange.

Virginia Code makes adult mugshots a matter of public record. Under §2.2-3706(A)(2), adult arrestee photographs taken during initial intake are subject to mandatory release. That means the Sheriff's Office must provide booking photos to anyone who requests them unless an active felony investigation would be compromised by disclosure. Requests are handled through the FOIA process, and the agency has five working days to respond.

Lee County sits in the very southwest corner of Virginia, bordering Kentucky and Tennessee. The county has one of the higher poverty rates in the state, and the local court system handles a mix of drug, property, and domestic cases. The Sheriff's Office maintains booking records for all adult arrests made in the county.

Lee County Jail

The Lee County Jail holds individuals arrested by local law enforcement. Booking records, including intake photos and charge information, are created at the jail when someone is processed in. The jail is operated under the Sheriff's Office, so records requests typically go through that same agency.

For a quick check on whether someone is currently in custody, the statewide VINE system is the easiest tool. VINE lets you search by name or offender ID and shows current custody status, facility location, and notification options. The service is free and available at any time. It covers most Virginia county and city jails, including Lee County.

If a person has been convicted and transferred to a state correctional facility, use the Virginia Department of Corrections offender locator. That database shows the facility where the person is housed, their expected release date, and a photograph. Searches can be done by name or by VADOC offender ID number.

Lee County Criminal Court Records

Criminal court records in Lee County come from two courts. The Lee County Circuit Court handles felony cases and keeps records of indictments, trial proceedings, and final judgments. The General District Court handles misdemeanor charges, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings on felonies. Both courts maintain records that include arrest information and charges.

The statewide Online Case Information System (OCIS) allows you to search circuit court records for Lee County without visiting the courthouse. The system shows case parties, charge details, hearing dates, and case dispositions. It is free to use and requires you to agree to a terms-of-use agreement before searching. This is a solid first step when trying to learn more about a specific arrest or criminal case in the county.

Note: OCIS covers circuit court records. For General District Court records, you may need to contact the clerk's office directly or search in person at the courthouse in Jonesville.

State-Level Search Tools

Even for a small county like Lee, state-level tools are important. The Virginia State Police Criminal Records Exchange maintains a statewide database of arrest and criminal history records. You can request a name-based search for $15 using the SP-167 form, which is available on the VSP forms page. This gives you a broader look at someone's record beyond just what happened in Lee County.

The Virginia Judiciary's Online Case Information System is a statewide tool that includes Lee County circuit court cases and lets you search criminal records by name or case number.

The virginia.arrests.org database is a third-party aggregator that pulls arrest data from many Virginia counties and cities. It is not an official government source, but it can give you a quick look at recent bookings without submitting a formal records request. You should verify anything important through official channels. For registered sex offenders, the Virginia Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry is publicly searchable and includes photographs of registered offenders.

Virginia Code §2.2-3706 is the statute that governs what arrest records law enforcement must release and what they may withhold, forming the legal basis for public access to mugshots in Lee County.

Clearing an Arrest Record in Lee County

Virginia allows people to petition for expungement when an arrest does not result in a conviction. Under Virginia Code §19.2-392.2, a person who was acquitted or whose charges were dismissed may file a Petition for Expungement in the circuit court where the case was handled. The process involves providing fingerprints, serving the prosecuting attorney, and attending a court hearing. If the court approves the petition, the arrest record and associated booking photo are removed from public access.

Virginia also enacted new record sealing laws in 2021. These laws, effective July 1, 2026, allow eligible individuals with certain convictions to petition for sealing. This is different from expungement. Expungement wipes non-conviction records. Sealing applies to some conviction records after a person has served their sentence. Both processes run through the circuit court in Lee County.

Guidance on FOIA rights and records access in Virginia is available through the Virginia FOIA Advisory Council, which provides opinions and assistance for both those requesting records and the agencies that respond to requests.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Lee County in the southwest corner of Virginia. Each maintains its own arrest records and booking logs.