Home › Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

This policy describes information collected during a visit, the purposes for using it, and the limited circumstances in which another party may receive it. Continued use of Highland County Criminal History signifies acceptance of these practices.

Data You Give Us Directly

Search Queries

A name or place entered in a search box is transmitted to the outside company operating that tool. The provider processes the query and supplies its response. We do not keep a separate log or copy of those search terms on our systems.

Messages and Contact Submissions

An email may be retained so our team can respond and preserve the conversation. We do not disclose the message beyond our organization unless the law requires that disclosure.

Data We Gather Automatically

Our servers automatically receive limited technical information when a page loads:

  • Page-view dates and times
  • The pages opened and the length of each visit
  • Device category and operating system
  • Browser name and version
  • A referring site, when one is supplied
  • The device's assigned IP address

Cookies and Analytics

Cookies are small device files used to understand traffic patterns, popular pages, and where visits end. Analytics vendors help combine that activity into site-use reports. A browser can reject cookies, although some features may then work differently.

What We Do With This Data

  • Routing a search request to the selected outside provider
  • Finding and repairing technical faults
  • Measuring which pages are useful or need revision
  • Operating the site reliably and improving load speed
  • Displaying advertising that may reflect visitor interests

No Criminal-Record Data on File

We do not compile, keep, or sell a database of personal criminal records. Highland County guidance identifies official custodians such as the Sheriff, the General District Court, the Circuit Court, Virginia State Police CCRE, and the Virginia Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry. Visitor data are not assembled into third-party dossiers or consumer reports, and this site is not a consumer reporting agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Third-Party Search Partners

Outside companies supply the search-box services. Their own privacy terms govern information entered there, including how long they retain it and when they share it. Review the applicable provider policy before submitting any query because we cannot set those practices.

Links to Other Websites

Links may lead to court portals, the Highland Sheriff, Virginia agencies, legal-aid resources, or outside search tools. Once a visitor follows a link, the destination's privacy policy controls. Read it before supplying personal information.

Advertising companies may use their own systems to measure activity across websites and select targeted ads. We do not operate that cross-site tracking.

Who Might See Your Data

Personal data are not sold. Limited information may be available to:

  • Government or law-enforcement bodies acting under a valid legal order
  • Advertising networks that place content on these pages
  • Analytics providers measuring traffic and performance
  • Search partners processing a query sent through their tool

How We Protect Your Data

Reasonable, standard safeguards protect the information we receive. No online service can promise absolute security, so these measures cannot guarantee that a breach will never occur.

Users Under 18

This resource is intended for adults, and we do not knowingly collect a minor's personal data. If information from someone under 18 is identified, a request may be made for its deletion.

Your Data Rights

Applicable privacy and consumer-protection law may provide added rights based on residence and context. Virginia public-record access follows the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, while criminal-history dissemination is separately controlled by Virginia Code §19.2-389 et seq. Those government-record laws do not turn this private site into a records custodian. Subject to applicable law, a visitor may:

  • Opt out of certain processing where the law permits
  • Request deletion of eligible personal data
  • Ask that inaccurate information be corrected
  • Request a copy of personal information we retain

Updates to This Policy

This policy may be revised. A new version takes effect when it is posted here with an updated date, so visitors should review the current text when privacy practices matter.

Effective date: August 10, 2026