Criminal records in Chittenden County, Vermont, can be accessed through several channels. ChittendenCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for the county. Beyond that resource, Vermont's state court system, law enforcement agencies such as the Vermont Crime Information Center, and the clerk's office at the Chittenden County Superior Court all serve as access points for criminal record searches and requests.
How to Search Criminal Records in Chittenden
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Chittenden County, depending on what you need and how quickly you need it.
Online Through ChittendenCourt.us
Start at ChittendenCourt.us to search for publicly available court record information in Chittenden County. You can look up cases using a defendant's name or case number.
Online Through State Systems
- Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC): The VCIC criminal conviction record service allows anyone to purchase a criminal conviction history report online. This is a name-based search through the state's criminal history repository.
- Vermont State Police public records: You can request police reports and public records through the Vermont Department of Public Safety police reports request service.
- Sex Offender Registry: The VCIC Sex Offender Registry allows searches by offender name.
- Federal cases: For federal criminal cases filed in Vermont, use the PACER system through the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont, which has a courthouse in Burlington.
Note that under Vermont's Rules for Public Access to Court Records, the court does not permit public internet access to state criminal case records. This means most state-level criminal case lookups require an in-person visit or a written request rather than an online portal.
In Person
Visit the Chittenden County Superior Court — Criminal Division in Burlington. The clerk's office maintains case files and can help you look up criminal cases using a defendant's name, date of birth, or case number. Public access terminals may be available at the courthouse.
You can also visit the Vermont Crime Information Center in person in Waterbury to obtain a notarized copy of a criminal conviction report.
By Mail or Written Request
- Court clerk: Send a written request to the Chittenden County Superior Court clerk specifying the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number (if available). Include any applicable fees.
- VCIC: Mail a request for a criminal conviction record check to VCIC. A notarized copy of your conviction report can be obtained by mail — details are on the VCIC record checks page.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth (recommended)
- Case number (if known)
- Approximate date range of the case (helpful for narrowing results)
Search Chittenden Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. Vermont state court case numbers follow a structured format that encodes key information about the case.
A typical Vermont criminal case number looks like this:
XXX-Y-ZZ-Cncr
- XXX — A numeric or alphanumeric code identifying the county (Chittenden County cases use a specific county designation)
- Y — The calendar year the case was filed (two or four digits)
- ZZ — A sequential filing number assigned by the court
- Cncr — A suffix indicating the case type; "Cncr" denotes a criminal case
When requesting a case by number, provide the full case number exactly as it appears on any court documents you have. The clerk's office at the Chittenden County Superior Court can pull the file directly using this number. If you are unsure of the exact format, the clerk can often locate the case with a partial number combined with the defendant's name.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Chittenden
Criminal case records in Chittenden County contain several categories of information. Here is what each data point means.
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The Vermont statute section the defendant is charged under (e.g., 13 V.S.A. § 1201 for burglary) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction — determines potential penalties and court procedures |
| Original charges | The charges as initially filed by the Chittenden County State's Attorney |
| Amended charges | Charges may be modified through plea negotiations or at the prosecutor's discretion |
Case Status
- Pending: The case has been filed but not yet resolved
- Active: Proceedings are ongoing — hearings, motions, or trial are scheduled
- Disposed: The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
- Closed: All post-disposition requirements are complete and the case is administratively closed
Hearings
- Arraignment: The defendant's first court appearance, where charges are read and a plea is entered
- Preliminary hearing: A judge determines whether probable cause exists (primarily in felony cases)
- Pre-trial conference: Attorneys discuss discovery, motions, and potential plea agreements
- Trial: The case is heard before a judge or jury
- Sentencing: The judge imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review hearing: A follow-up hearing to monitor compliance with court orders or probation conditions
Court Results
| Outcome | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant was found guilty or pleaded guilty |
| Not guilty | The defendant was acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | The charges were dropped by the court or prosecutor |
| Nolo contendere | The defendant did not contest the charges (treated similarly to a guilty plea for sentencing) |
| Deferred sentence | Sentencing is postponed, often contingent on completing specific conditions |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Chittenden
Certified copies of criminal records carry an official court seal and are accepted for legal, employment, and licensing purposes. There are two main paths depending on what you need.
From the Court Clerk
For certified copies of specific case documents — such as judgments, dispositions, or docket sheets — contact the Chittenden County Superior Court, Criminal Division:
You can request certified copies in person or by mail. Include:
- The defendant's full name
- The case number
- A description of the specific documents you need
- Payment for applicable fees
- A valid government-issued photo ID (for in-person requests)
From the Vermont Crime Information Center
For a statewide criminal conviction history report, submit a request through VCIC. Options include:
- Online: Purchase a conviction record through the VCIC online service
- By mail: Send a written request to VCIC for a notarized copy
- In person: Visit VCIC at the Department of Public Safety in Waterbury
Fingerprint-based background checks are required for certain employment and licensing purposes. Contact VCIC for instructions on scheduling and submission.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Chittenden
| Service | Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| VCIC online criminal conviction record (name-based) | $30 per search | Typically immediate to a few business days |
| VCIC notarized conviction report (by mail or in person) | $30 | 5–10 business days by mail |
| Fingerprint-based background check (through VCIC) | Varies; contact VCIC for current fee | Varies based on processing method |
| Court document copies (per page) | $1.00 per page (standard rate for Vermont courts) | Same day for in-person requests if records are available |
| Certification fee (court clerk) | $5.00 per document | Added to copy request |
| Vermont State Police public records / police reports | Varies by request | Varies; submit through the DPS public records request service |
Fees are subject to change. Confirm current amounts with the court clerk or VCIC before submitting payment. The court clerk's office generally accepts cash, check, or money order. The VCIC online service accepts credit card payments. Processing times for mail requests depend on volume and the complexity of the search.