Chesterfield County DUI Records

Chesterfield County DUI records are kept at the General District Court and Circuit Court at 9500 Courthouse Road in Chesterfield, Virginia. The county is one of Virginia's most populous, with over 500 sworn officers in the Chesterfield County Police Department handling DUI enforcement across its roads and highways. This page covers how to search DUI records in Chesterfield County, how to contact the courts, what Virginia DUI laws apply, and what programs are available for those going through the court system here.

Chesterfield County Courts for DUI Cases

Both the Circuit Court and the General District Court are located at 9500 Courthouse Road, Chesterfield, VA 23832. The General District Court handles all misdemeanor DUI cases, which covers first and second offenses. You can reach the General District Court by phone at 804-748-1231, with fax at 804-748-1757. Mail goes to P.O. Box 144, Chesterfield, VA 23832. Docket boards showing case times are posted in the main lobby on the first floor, making it easier to find your specific courtroom when you arrive.

The Circuit Court handles felony DUI cases and hears de novo appeals from General District Court. The Circuit Court phone number is 804-748-1241, and the mailing address is P.O. Box 125, Chesterfield, VA 23832-0909. Third-offense DUI charges within 10 years are Class 6 felonies and go directly to Circuit Court. Certified copies of court records are available from either clerk's office. The Chesterfield County Courts page has detailed guidance on procedures, forms, and court schedules.

The Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court is at a separate location: 7000 Lucy Corr Boulevard, Chesterfield, VA 23832. DUI cases involving drivers under 18 may be handled there, depending on the circumstances.

Searching Chesterfield County DUI Records

The Virginia General District Court online system is the fastest way to look up a DUI case in Chesterfield County. Select Chesterfield County from the dropdown, then search by the defendant's name (last name first) or by case number. The system shows the charge, the statute cited, the court date, and the final outcome once the case is resolved. Case information typically updates within 24 to 48 hours of a court proceeding.

For full records, certified copies, or cases that do not appear in the online system, contact the clerk directly. The General District Court handles misdemeanor cases; the Circuit Court handles felony DUI and appeals. Clerk's Office staff are prohibited by law from providing legal advice, but they can help you find the right records and explain the copying fees. All persons entering the courthouse must pass through metal detectors. Prohibited items include mobile phones, smart watches, tablets, and laptops, so plan accordingly before visiting.

If you need an interpreter for a General District Court hearing or records inquiry, call 804-748-1231 in advance. The court has full-time Spanish interpreters on staff and can arrange other language services through the language line.

Chesterfield County Police and Arrest Records

The Chesterfield County Police Department is one of the larger suburban police forces in Virginia. The department has over 500 sworn officers and more than 100 civilian employees. Their headquarters is at 10001 Iron Bridge Road, Chesterfield, VA 23832, reachable at 804-748-1251. CCPD uses license plate readers, the Analytic and Strategic Operations Center, and live camera feeds to monitor road conditions and detect criminal activity. Online crime reports can be submitted through the department's website for certain types of incidents.

For DUI arrest records and incident reports from Chesterfield County Police, submit a FOIA request to the Police Department's records division. Arrest reports, body camera footage, and supporting documentation can be requested in writing. Body camera footage requires a separate request and may take longer to process. The Virginia State Police also patrol portions of Chesterfield County, particularly on Interstate 95 and other state highways. VSP records for those incidents go through the VSP records office.

Anonymous tips about DUI activity can be submitted through the Crime Solvers partnership. Virginia FOIA under Title 2.2, Chapter 37 governs all records requests and gives agencies five business days to respond.

Virginia DUI Law in Chesterfield County

Virginia Code § 18.2-266 governs DUI throughout Virginia, including Chesterfield County. The statute covers five scenarios: driving with a BAC of 0.08% or above, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving impaired by any drug, or driving under the combined influence of substances. Any one of those is sufficient for a DUI charge. The General District Court at 9500 Courthouse Road handles these cases at the misdemeanor level.

Under § 18.2-266.1, a driver under 21 who has a BAC of 0.02% or higher commits a separate offense. The zero-tolerance approach for young drivers is strictly enforced in Chesterfield County. Given the county's size and its proximity to Richmond, the courts see a range of DUI cases including commercial driver violations and cases involving prescription medication impairment.

Virginia's implied consent law at § 18.2-268.2 means that any driver on Virginia roads has agreed in advance to breath or blood testing when an officer has probable cause of impairment. Refusal to test carries a one-year civil license suspension. That suspension is handled through DMV, not the criminal court, and runs in parallel with the criminal case. Both proceedings move on separate tracks.

The full statutory framework for Virginia DUI offenses is found in Title 18.2, Chapter 7 of the Virginia Code. This includes all penalty provisions, procedure rules, and definitions that apply to Chesterfield County cases.

DUI Penalties and the Driving Record

Under § 18.2-270, a first DUI conviction in Virginia carries a minimum $250 fine. The Class 1 misdemeanor classification means up to 12 months in jail and up to $2,500 in fines. Jail is not required for most first offenders, but elevated BAC readings change that. A BAC between 0.15% and 0.20% adds five mandatory days that the judge cannot suspend. Above 0.20%, the mandatory add-on rises to 10 days. These run on top of whatever else the court orders.

Second offenses within five years bring a $500 minimum and 20 mandatory days in jail. Those 20 days must be served. A third DUI within 10 years becomes a Class 6 felony with 90 mandatory days in custody and a $1,000 minimum fine. At that point, Chesterfield County Circuit Court at 9500 Courthouse Road handles the case. A child under 18 in the vehicle at the time of any DUI adds to the sentence under § 18.2-270.D as an aggravating circumstance.

The Virginia DMV records DUI convictions for 11 years and assigns six demerit points. License suspension follows conviction, and getting a restricted license requires VASAP enrollment and ignition interlock installation under § 18.2-270.1. Your driving record is available online from the DMV for $8.

VASAP and Treatment Courts in Chesterfield County

Chesterfield County courts refer DUI defendants to the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program under § 18.2-271.1. VASAP covers substance abuse evaluation, education classes, and treatment referrals. Program fees are $250 to $300. Chesterfield's VASAP office coordinates with the local judicial district to handle referrals from both the General District Court and Circuit Court. Completing VASAP is a standard requirement before DMV will restore driving privileges after most DUI convictions.

Chesterfield County also operates a Recovery Court that has been running since September 2000. This specialty court handles DUI defendants with substance abuse issues who qualify for a more intensive supervised program instead of standard prosecution. Qualifying defendants must meet eligibility requirements set by the court. A Veteran Treatment Docket pilot program has been operating since December 2023 and offers similar alternative processing for eligible veterans facing DUI or related charges.

Community Corrections Services for Chesterfield and Colonial Heights provide local probation and pretrial supervision alternatives to incarceration. These services let defendants remain employed, attend school, and continue treatment while being monitored. They are an option the court may use in DUI cases where intensive supervision is more appropriate than incarceration.

Note: Clerk's Office staff cannot provide legal advice or recommend a course of action in your case. For legal questions, consult a licensed Virginia attorney before your court date.

Chesterfield County Courts and DUI Resources

The Chesterfield County Courts website provides full guidance on court locations, procedures, dress code requirements, and resources for defendants and the public.

Both the General District Court and Circuit Court are at 9500 Courthouse Road in Chesterfield, and the courts website explains everything from security procedures to ADA accommodations and dress code policies.

Nearby Cities

These independent cities border or are near Chesterfield County. Each city has its own court system for its residents, but Chesterfield County residents file DUI cases at the county courthouse.

Nearby Counties

Chesterfield County borders several other Virginia counties. Each operates its own courts for DUI cases.