Vermont Criminal Court Records

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    In Vermont, criminal court records track prosecutions handled in the Vermont Superior Court, Criminal Division. Cases may involve misdemeanors or felonies and move from arraignment through plea, trial, or dismissal. Each stage results in filings and orders that make up the case record.

    These records serve as the official history of the case, clarify how the court applied Vermont law, and support appeals, expungement or sealing requests, as well as public transparency.

    The Vermont Judiciary maintains these records through the Superior Court's Criminal Division clerks. Access is set by state statutes, court rules, and common law, with limits for sealed or confidential materials, including certain juvenile and victim-protected information.

    Are Criminal Court Records Public in Vermont?

    Yes. Vermont's Rules for Public Access to Court Records (V.R.P.A.C.R.) presume that judicial case records are open to the public unless a statute, rule, or court order makes them confidential or seals them. However, Vermont restricts the disclosure of certain records to protect privacy, ensure safety, uphold fair trial rights, and maintain the integrity of ongoing investigations. Common examples include:

    • Grand-jury materials: Proceedings and records are not publicly accessible under criminal-procedure rules.
    • Search-warrant papers while sealed: Warrants, affidavits, and returns may be sealed and later unsealed by court order under V.R.Cr.P. 41
    • Presentence investigation reports (PSIs): PSIs are privileged and not subject to public inspection, with limited access to parties.
    • Juvenile and youthful offender records: Generally confidential, with narrow statutory exceptions and sealing procedures.
    • Criminal-history repository data: Public access to conviction information is primarily available through the Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC). Broader history is controlled by statute.
    • Victim-identifying information and protected addresses: The Address Confidentiality Program limits disclosure of a participant's location and directs agencies to use a substitute address.

    What Criminal Court Records Contain in Vermont

    Case information includes:

    • Defendant name
    • Attorneys of record
    • Charges and rule/statute citations
    • Court unit (Superior Court, Criminal Division), courthouse
    • Assigned judge
    • Arraignment/trial/hearing dates
    • Case status/disposition
    • Running docket entries

    Vermont case documents (file contents)

    • Citation/complaint or information
    • Probable-cause affidavits
    • Motions, memoranda, and exhibits
    • Court orders, rulings, and minute entries
    • Jury lists, instructions, and verdict forms
    • Sentencing entries and mittimus
    • Filed transcripts and exhibits (when available)

    Vermont Criminal Court Records Search

    To find a Vermont criminal court record, first determine the Vermont Superior Court (Criminal Division) that heard the case. The Vermont Judiciary's Public Portal offers online access to case information, calendars, and specific documents. You can search by party name or case number; anonymous users have limited access, while registered users (including case participants) may see more. Vermont's Rules for Public Access to Court Records (and Judiciary policies) govern what is visible online; some records require in-person review at the courthouse or a records request to the clerk. When remote access is restricted, the clerk can provide copies upon request.

    If online search doesn't meet your needs, visit the courthouse or send a written request. Vermont publishes fees for copies and certifications. Paper copies are generally $0.25 per page (with a minimum of $1.00), certified copies are $5.00 per document, and retrieval of older cases by mail may incur an additional postage fee.

    For Supreme Court matters (state appellate), start by visiting the Vermont Judiciary site and the Public Portal. Note that federal PACER fees don't apply to state records, but they do apply to federal cases.

    Free Access to Criminal Court Records in Vermont

    In Vermont, criminal court records are publicly accessible subject to confidentiality rules. Case information may be reviewed through the Vermont Judiciary Public Portal or on public access terminals in the Criminal Division courthouse that handled the matter. Accessing case data for viewing typically carries no charge. However, additional services such as duplication, certification, and any related clerk research services generally incur fees.

    Sealing and Expungement of Criminal Court Records in Vermont

    Vermont expressly authorizes both expungement and sealing in many circumstances, with detailed procedures codified at 13 V.S.A. ch. 230 (§§ 7601-7608). "Expungement" removes the record from public view, treating the event as if it never occurred; "sealing" restricts public access but preserves the record for limited, authorized purposes.

    Post-conviction relief is available for qualifying crimes (mostly nonviolent misdemeanors and some minor felonies) after waiting periods and other conditions (§ 7602). Separate procedures cover no-conviction outcomes (dismissal, acquittal, lack of prosecution) (§ 7603).

    How to Seal Criminal Court Records in Vermont

    The process for sealing a criminal court record in Vermont involves a petition in the court that handled the case; the State's Attorney (prosecutor) is notified; if anyone objects, the court may hold a hearing; and, if granted, the judge issues a sealing order with immediate legal effect. The steps are as follows:

    Confirm eligibility

    Sealing is available in a range of circumstances, including certain convictions after a waiting period and many no-conviction outcomes. Review 13 V.S.A. ch. 230, especially § 7602 (post-conviction) and § 7603 (no-conviction) to confirm your charge type and timing fit.

    Prepare and file the petition

    Use the Vermont Judiciary Petition to Expunge or Seal Criminal History Record (Form 130) and file it in the court of conviction (or the court that handled the charge if there was no conviction). Include docket number(s), the statute you're petitioning under, and any proof of completion of sentence/conditions.

    Pay fees or request a waiver.

    Filing, copy, and certification fees may apply; however, if you cannot afford the costs, submit the Application to Waive Filing Fees and Service Costs (600-00229) with your petition or promptly after.

    Serve the prosecutor

    Serve the Vermont State's Attorney (or Attorney General if they prosecuted) with the filed petition and any supporting documents. The court will consider written objections filed by the prosecutor. If there's an objection, a hearing is set to decide if sealing serves the interests of justice.

    If no party objects, the court may rule on the papers; if there is an objection, you'll have a hearing. When a sealing order is issued, it takes effect immediately and limits public access, while preserving the record for authorized purposes as defined by statute.

    How to Expunge a Criminal Record in Vermont

    In Vermont, expungement is also initiated by petition in the same court, with notice to the prosecutor. If granted, the order takes effect immediately, and the person is treated as if the arrest/conviction never happened (with narrow statutory exceptions).

    Criminal Records in Vermont vs Court Records

    Criminal records in Vermont are maintained by the Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC) (Department of Public Safety). VCIC is the statewide repository that compiles criminal history data and releases conviction records under 20 V.S.A. § 2056a(c), subject to privacy and use restrictions.

    Criminal court records are maintained by the Vermont Superior Court, Criminal Division, and accessed via the Vermont Judiciary Public Portal and courthouse counters (separate from VCIC's repository).

    Requesting an Vermont Criminal History Record

    Vermont's official statewide criminal-history (conviction) information is released by the Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC). Court dockets are separate. For most purposes, use VCIC's online conviction check.

    Instant online conviction record (VCCRIS)

    • Go to VCIC's Vermont Criminal Conviction Record Internet Service (VCCRIS).
    • Enter the person's name and date of birth (fingerprints not required for this option).
    • Pay the $30 non-refundable fee per search; results return instantly and can be saved/printed.
    • Note: If you need a notarized or certified copy, use the mail option below.

    Certified/notarized conviction record (mail)

    • From the VCIC site, follow the instructions for written/certified requests.
    • Submit the completed request with payment as directed; VCIC will mail the official result.
    • This is an ideal option for employers/licensing boards that require certification or won't accept a self-printed VCCRIS result.

    Fingerprint-based checks (when required by law/policy)

    • Confirm if your purpose (e.g., certain jobs, licenses, adoptions) requires fingerprints.
    • Schedule fingerprinting with a local law-enforcement agency and follow the VCIC instructions for submission.
    • Pay any applicable fingerprinting and processing fees; turnaround varies by purpose.

    Active vs Archived Criminal Cases in Vermont

    An "active" criminal case in Vermont is one that is still moving through the Vermont Superior Court, Criminal Division-no final judgment has been entered by trial, plea, diversion, dismissal, or other disposition. Active case information is generally available through the Vermont Judiciary Public Portal and at the courthouse where the case was filed. "Archived" criminal cases are closed matters that have exceeded the judiciary's retention schedule and been transferred to off-site storage or archival custody. These records remain accessible unless sealed or confidential, but retrieval typically requires a written request to the clerk and additional processing time; usual copy and certification fees apply.