Find Sussex County 24 Hour Booking Records

Sussex County 24 hour booking records are public documents maintained by the Sussex County Sheriff's Office under Virginia law. This page explains where to search arrest records, how to look up the jail roster at the Riverside Regional Jail, and what tools are available to find booking data for Sussex County, Virginia.

Find Sussex County 24 Hour Booking Records

The Sussex County Sheriff's Office handles all arrests and bookings in the county. After an arrest, the office records photos, fingerprints, charges, and identity data. That record is available to the public under state law.

To search Sussex County booking records, start with the Virginia Department of Corrections Inmate Locator for people in state custody. For local jail data, Sussex County uses the Riverside Regional Jail, a shared facility serving multiple Southside Virginia localities. Court case records are searchable through Virginia's court case information portal and the Circuit Court Online Case Information System. Both tools are free to use with no account required.

If a record is not online, submit a FOIA request to the Sheriff's Office. They must respond within five working days.

New booking records can take up to 24 hours to appear in online databases. Call the jail for the most current custody information.

Sussex County Sheriff's Office

The Sussex County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency serving the county. It covers all unincorporated areas and works alongside the Virginia State Police when needed. All county arrests are processed through the office around the clock. Each booking includes identity confirmation, fingerprints, mugshots, charge logging, and medical screening.

To get booking records not listed online, contact the Sheriff's Office by phone, in person, or through a written FOIA request. Mail requests should include the full name, approximate arrest date, and a return address. Small fees may apply for certified copies. The office is in the town of Sussex, the county seat in Southside Virginia, southwest of Petersburg and north of the North Carolina border.

Sussex is a rural county with a modest population. The Sheriff's Office sends arrestees to the Riverside Regional Jail, the shared facility used by the county for pretrial detention and sentences of less than 12 months. All bookings from the county go through that facility.

Riverside Regional Jail

Sussex County is a member locality of the Riverside Regional Jail Authority. The Riverside Regional Jail is a large shared facility serving multiple Southside Virginia counties, including Sussex, Prince George, Surry, Dinwiddie, and others. It handles all pretrial detention and short-term sentences for people arrested in the member localities.

The jail processes new bookings 24 hours a day. To find out whether someone from Sussex County is currently in custody, contact the jail directly. Staff can confirm inmate status by name. Visitation rules, mail policies, and other inmate services are also handled through the jail authority. For formal documentation or older records, use the Sheriff's Office or the online court portal.

The Riverside Regional Jail maintains its own booking and inmate management system. Information may appear in the Virginia courts case portal after a short delay. For same-day or next-day custody checks, the jail is the most reliable direct source.

Sussex County Booking Records Online

Virginia's court records portal at vacourts.gov gives public access to arrest and case information statewide, including Sussex County cases.

The image above shows a booking records search interface used to find arrest data in Sussex County. For current and official data, check the VADOC Inmate Locator or contact the Sussex County Sheriff's Office or Riverside Regional Jail directly.

Your FOIA Rights in Sussex County

Virginia law gives the public access to most arrest records. The key statute is Virginia Code § 2.2-3706, which spells out what law enforcement must release. Agencies must disclose the identity of any adult who is arrested and charged, the status of that charge, and booking photos taken at intake. This release is mandatory under state law.

There are limits. Juvenile records are private. Medical information is not disclosed. Details that could hurt an ongoing investigation can be withheld. But for most adult arrests in Sussex County, the core record is open to anyone who requests it. Any chronological list of adult arrests kept by the Sheriff's Office is a public document.

If a request is denied, you can appeal to the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council. Agencies must respond to requests within five working days. If more time is needed, they must notify you and have an additional seven days. That is the full window under Virginia law.

Arrest and Booking Process in Sussex County

Virginia's arrest process follows Virginia Code § 19.2-72, which governs how magistrates issue arrest warrants. A magistrate issues a warrant when a sworn complaint shows probable cause that a crime was committed. The warrant names the person, describes the offense, and orders that they appear before a court. Virginia runs a 24-hour magistrate system year-round.

Once arrested in Sussex County, the person is taken to the Riverside Regional Jail for booking. That process includes identity confirmation, photos, fingerprints, medical screening, and charge logging. After booking, a magistrate sets bail based on the seriousness of the offense, ties to the community, and prior record. Under Virginia Code § 19.2-82, anyone arrested without a warrant must go before a magistrate immediately, either in person or by two-way video.

For minor offenses like Class 3 or 4 misdemeanors, officers can issue a summons to appear in court instead of making a full custodial arrest. A summons skips the booking step. But if there is reason to think a person won't show up or poses a risk, a full arrest can still be made even for minor charges.

Sussex County Court Records and Case Lookup

After booking, criminal cases in Sussex County move through the court system. Misdemeanors go to General District Court. Felonies are handled in Circuit Court. Booking records and court records are kept separately. Booking records cover the arrest and initial detention. Court records follow the case once charges are formally filed.

Search Sussex County court records through Virginia's Circuit Court Online Case Information System. You can search by name, case number, or hearing date. Use the "CR" prefix for criminal cases. The system shows charges, hearing dates, and case status in real time. For a broader view, use Virginia Courts Online or the portal at vacourts.gov/caseinfo. Both are free.

Sussex County is served by the 6th Judicial Circuit. General District Court records for traffic and misdemeanor cases are on a separate system. Check both systems if you are not sure where the case was heard.

Sealing and Expungement of Sussex Booking Records

Virginia's new record sealing law takes effect July 1, 2026. It covers about 90% of misdemeanors and nearly two-thirds of Class 5 and 6 felonies. The Justice Forward Virginia Foundation has a guide on who qualifies and how the petition process works under the new rules.

Some records will be sealed automatically, including misdemeanor larceny, concealment, trespass, and disorderly conduct. A person must have no new convictions for seven years after the original conviction date. Marijuana possession records are sealed automatically under the new law. After July 1, 2026, no filing fees or fingerprint cards are required for sealing petitions.

If a Sussex County record should be cleared now under current law, you can file a petition with the Circuit Court. Dismissed cases and acquittals are generally eligible for expungement under existing rules. Conviction-based records fall under the new 2026 law and are not yet eligible for most people.

Nearby Counties

Sussex County is located in Southside Virginia, bordered by several counties in the region south and west of Petersburg.