Criminal records in the city of Manassas, Virginia, are available through several channels. ManassasCourt.us allows you to quickly find publicly available information about criminal cases. Additionally, data can be obtained through the official state court portals, city and Prince William County law enforcement agencies, and directly at the Circuit Court Clerk's office. Below is a practical guide to searching, understanding, and obtaining criminal records in Manassas.
How to Search Criminal Records in Manassas
There are several ways to find criminal records related to Manassas. Each is suitable for different situations.
Online Search
- ManassasCourt.us — start here if you need general information about publicly available court cases. You will need the person's full name or case number to search.
- Virginia Court System Portal — the Prince William County Circuit Court Clerk's office uses the online CJIS system to provide information about Circuit Court cases. Go to the portal, select "Prince William County Circuit," click "Begin," then choose the "Criminal" section and search by name, case number, or hearing date.
- Statewide Case Search — the Virginia Court System provides access to search adult criminal cases in all state courts, including the General District Court and Circuit Court.
- Arrest Reports — the Prince William County Police publish adult arrest reports for the last four weeks. Daily incident reports are also available.
- Inmate Search — if a person is in the custody of the Virginia Department of Corrections, use the Inmate Locator on the VADOC website.
In-Person Visit
The Circuit Court Clerk's Office is located on the third floor of the courthouse. There are public computer terminals available for self-search.
For cases heard in the Prince William General District Court, visit the same address: 9311 Lee Avenue, Manassas, VA 20110.
Police Records and FOIA Requests
The Manassas City Police Department accepts record requests through the FOIA procedure. Any Virginia resident has the right to request public records. The Prince William County Police handle requests through a separate Police Records & Reports unit and also accept FOIA requests online.
Written Request by Mail
To obtain an official state-level criminal history, send a request to the Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE). You need to provide:
- Full name and date of birth of the person
- A signed consent form (if the request is for another person)
- Payment of the established fee
Search Manassas Criminal Cases by Case Number
Each criminal case in Virginia is assigned a unique number. In the Circuit Court, the format typically looks like this:
- Court Prefix — a letter or number designation of the jurisdiction (e.g., "CR" for criminal cases)
- Year — two digits indicating the year the case was filed
- Sequential Number — a sequential number within the year
For example, a number like CR23-001234 indicates a criminal case registered in 2023 with the sequential number 001234. In the General District Court, the format is slightly different and may include additional letter codes indicating the type of offense (felony, misdemeanor, traffic).
If you know the case number, enter it into the online CJIS system — this is the fastest way to get up-to-date information without having to guess the correct spelling of the name.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Manassas
Court records contain several key elements. Here is what each of them means.
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific article of the Code of Virginia (e.g., § 18.2-95 — grand larceny) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change the initial charge — the new one is reflected in the case record |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, no decision has been made yet
- Active — the case is under consideration
- Disposed — the court has made a decision
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed
Types of Hearings
A criminal case goes through several stages:
- Arraignment — the first appearance of the accused in court, charges are announced
- Preliminary hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to transfer the case to Circuit Court (applies to felonies)
- Pre-trial hearing — consideration of motions, discussion of procedural issues
- Trial / Sentencing — substantive court hearing and sentencing
- Review hearing — checking compliance with the terms of the punishment (e.g., probation)
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not guilty | Found not guilty |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a verdict |
| Nolle prosequi | The prosecutor dropped the charge |
| Acquitted | Acquitted by the court or jury |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Manassas
Certified copies are official documents with the court's seal, accepted by other institutions as legal proof. A regular printout from the online portal does not have this status.
Where to Apply
For Circuit Court cases, the request is submitted to the Circuit Court Clerk's office of Prince William County. General District Court cases are handled by the corresponding office at the same address.
How to Submit a Request
- In-person — visit the office with a valid ID (driver's license or passport). The clerk will find the case and prepare a certified copy.
- By mail — send a written request with the defendant's full name, case number (if known), date of birth, and type of document needed. Include a copy of your ID and payment.
To obtain a complete state-level criminal history record, contact the Virginia State Police. This process requires fingerprinting and submission of form SP-167.
Police Records
Copies of police reports can be requested through the Police Records unit of the Prince William County Police or through the Manassas City Police Department. The latter accepts requests in accordance with Virginia FOIA.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Manassas
Fees are established according to the Code of Virginia (§ 17.1-275 and related articles). Specific amounts may be adjusted — check directly with the office.
| Service | Approximate Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document | $0.50 per page | Standard rate for non-certified copies according to the Code of Virginia |
| Document certification | $2.00 | Added to the copying cost |
| Criminal history check (Virginia State Police) | $15.00–$30.00 | Depends on the type of request: by name or by fingerprints |
| Police report (copy) | Varies | Inquire with Police Records; FOIA requests may involve a search time fee |
Processing Times
- Online search — results are available instantly
- Certified copies (court office) — usually within a few business days for in-person requests
- Mail requests — from 5 to 15 business days depending on workload
- Virginia State Police (CCRE) — from 10 to 30 business days for fingerprint requests
- FOIA requests — Virginia FOIA requires a response within 5 business days, though the period may be extended by another 7 days with written notice
Payment at the court office is usually accepted in cash, check, or money order. Confirm the possibility of card payment directly before visiting.