Tazewell County Mugshots and Arrest Records

Tazewell County busted mugshots and arrest records are public under Virginia law. The Tazewell County Sheriff's Office keeps booking records and photos from all arrests processed through the county. You can request those records directly from the Sheriff's Office or use statewide Virginia tools to access arrest data. This page covers where to find Tazewell County mugshots, how to request records under FOIA, and what you need to know about expungement if your own record is involved.

Tazewell County Sheriff's Office

The Tazewell County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for the county. Deputies handle arrests, bookings, and jail operations. Booking photos are taken at intake and kept as part of the permanent arrest record. Under Virginia Code §2.2-3706(A)(2), those photos are mandatory public records and can be requested by anyone.

The Sheriff's Office accepts FOIA requests for arrest records and booking photos. Put your request in writing. Include the full name of the person you are looking for and the approximate arrest date if you have it. The office must respond within five working days. Fees may apply. The office will tell you the fee amount before processing your request so you can decide how to proceed.

Expungement requests in Tazewell County follow Virginia Code §19.2-392.2. When a court orders expungement, records are sealed and marked as expunged, meaning they cannot be opened again without a court order. The Sheriff's Office must comply with all valid expungement orders it receives.

Southwest Virginia Regional Jail

The Southwest Virginia Regional Jail Authority (SWVRJA) serves Tazewell County and several other southwest Virginia counties. The facility keeps booking records, including mugshots, charge information, and inmate rosters. You can contact the SWVRJA directly to request records or check on the status of a specific inmate.

The facility maintains booking photographs as part of standard inmate records. These are public records under Virginia FOIA. If someone from Tazewell County was transferred to the SWVRJA, their records are there. For fast custody status checks, use VINE. VINE covers the SWVRJA and other Virginia facilities. You can track an inmate by name and sign up for free status change alerts.

Inmate services at the SWVRJA include visitation, mail, phone, and commissary. Contact the facility for specific rules and procedures. Visiting hours and rules change, so it is best to check directly before going.

Tazewell County Criminal Court Records

Felony criminal cases in Tazewell County go through the Tazewell County Circuit Court. The clerk's office keeps all case records, including charges, hearing dates, motions, and judgments. These are open to the public. You can visit the clerk's office in Tazewell or use the Virginia court system online to search for cases.

Use the Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System to search circuit court records statewide. Filter to Tazewell County and search by name or case number. The system shows charges and case status for free without a login. This is one of the fastest ways to check whether someone has a pending or resolved felony case in Tazewell County.

Misdemeanor cases go through the General District Court. For those records, contact the General District Court clerk's office directly. They can look up cases by name and provide copies for a small fee. Not all misdemeanor records appear in online tools, so a direct request is often the most reliable approach.

Expungement orders processed through the Tazewell County Circuit Court are forwarded to the State Police, which then directs all law enforcement agencies on how to handle the sealed record. Once an order is issued, the record is marked as expunged and closed to public access.

Statewide Resources Covering Tazewell County

The Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange collects arrest records from local agencies across Virginia, including Tazewell County. A name-based criminal history check costs $15. Use the SP-167 form, attach payment, and mail it to the State Police. Processing takes about 15 days and covers all Virginia arrests on file, not just Tazewell County records.

Virginia Code Title 19.2, Chapter 23 governs the Central Criminal Records Exchange, which stores Tazewell County arrest records and booking information submitted by local law enforcement.

For people in state prison, the VADOC Offender Locator is a free search tool. If someone from Tazewell County was convicted and sentenced to a state facility, this database will show their current location, release date, and photo. Search by name or by the offender's seven-digit ID.

The Virginia Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry is a free public resource maintained by the State Police. You can search by county to find registered sex offenders in Tazewell. Results include photos, current addresses, and conviction details. The registry updates each business day.

The virginia.arrests.org database aggregates arrest records and mugshots from across Virginia, often including Tazewell County booking records and recent arrests.

Expungement of Tazewell County Arrest Records

If you were arrested in Tazewell County but not convicted, Virginia Code §19.2-392.2 gives you a path to expungement. This applies to dismissed charges and acquittals. File a Petition for Expungement with the Tazewell County Circuit Court. You must also provide fingerprints to a law enforcement agency, which are then sent along with your criminal history to the court. The prosecutor gets 21 days to respond to the petition.

If the court approves the petition, it sends a copy of the expungement order to the State Police. The State Police then directs Tazewell County agencies on how to handle the record. The record is marked as sealed and closed to public access. Tazewell County mugshots linked to that arrest can no longer be released under FOIA once the expungement is in effect.

Virginia's Clean Slate legislation, effective July 1, 2026, extends record sealing to certain convictions for the first time. Under §§19.2-392.5 through 19.2-392.17, people with eligible Tazewell County convictions may be able to petition for sealing. This is not the same as expungement. Talk to a local attorney to find out if a specific conviction qualifies under the new law.

Nearby Counties

Tazewell County is in far southwest Virginia. Several neighboring counties also use the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail Authority.