What Is A West Virginia Criminal Record?
When someone talks about a West Virginia criminal record, what they are talking about is the documentation associated with crimes and court convictions in a persons life. Criminal records are a confirmation a person had run-ins with law enforcement and/or has convictions in court. Depending on the criminal offence this record can continue to have an effect on somebody long after the offence occurred. More comprehensive details about a police record or court record can be seen directly at the county court where the conviction happened or police station where the arrested happened. Their records can generally be viewed by any individual because they are considered public records.
West Virginia Arrest and Criminal Records at the state level.
Criminal court records: West Virginia doesn’t have a statewide court record search system. (see county-level resources below)
Statewide West Virginia Criminal History Checks: See https://www.wvsp.gov/Criminal%20Records/Pages/default.aspx. The state outsources this service to a company called indigo.
Jail Arrest Records: https://apps.wv.gov/OIS/OffenderSearch/RJA/Offender
WV Division of Corrects (Prison Records): https://apps.wv.gov/ois/offendersearch/doc
Daily Incarcerations: https://apps.wv.gov/OIS/OffenderSearch/RJA/Daily
Sex Offender Registry Search: https://apps.wv.gov/StatePolice/SexOffender/Disclaimer
West Virginia Criminal Records at the county level.
Kanawha County – Charleston
Circuit Court (Felony, Misdemeanor, Civil Actions over $10,000, Juvenile)
304-357-0440
111 Court St Charleston, WV 25328
Search options: In person, Online.
Terminals: Yes
Criminal Records Online: https://www.wvcircuitexpress.com/Default.aspx and https://www.clerkepass.com/FormsePass/Kanawha/
Magistrate Court (Misdemeanor, Civil Actions under $10,000, Eviction, Small Claims, Infractions, Traffic)
304-357-0400
111 Court St Charleston, WV 25301
Search options: In person, Mail, Online, Fax.
Terminals: Yes
Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office
Free Jail Arrest Records – https://apps.wv.gov/OIS/OffenderSearch/RJA/Daily
Warrant Search Online – http://www.kanawhasheriff.us/law-enforcement/warrants/
Charleston Police Department
Police Records Division – http://www.charlestonwvpolice.org/records.html
Berkeley County – Martinsburg
Circuit Court (Felony, Misdemeanor, Civil Actions over $10,000, Juvenile)
304-264-1918
380 W South St, #2200 Martinsburg, WV 25401
Search options: In person.
Terminals: Yes
Magistrate Court (Misdemeanor, Civil Actions under $10,000, Eviction, Small Claims, Infractions, Traffic)
304-264-1957
380 W South St, #3100 Martinsburg, WV 25401
Search options: In person.
Terminals: Yes
Cabell County – Huntington
Circuit Court (Felony, Misdemeanor, Civil Actions over $10,000, Juvenile)
304-526-8622
750 Fifth Ave, Rm 114 Huntington, WV 25710
Search options: In person, Mail, Fax.
Terminals: Yes
Magistrate Court (Misdemeanor, Civil Actions under $10,000, Eviction, Small Claims, Infractions, Traffic)
304-526-8642
750 5th Ave Huntington, WV 25701
Search options: In person, Mail.
Terminals: Yes
Monongalia County – Morgantown
Circuit Court (Felony, Misdemeanor, Civil Actions over $10,000)
304-291-7240
75 High St, Ste 12 Morgantown, WV 26505
Search options: In person.
Terminals: Yes
Magistrate Court (Misdemeanor, Civil Actions under $10,000, Eviction, Small Claims, Infractions, Traffic)
304-291-7296
75 High St, Ste 25 Morgantown, WV 26505
Search options: In person, Mail.
Terminals: Yes
Wood County – Parkersburg
Circuit Court (Felony, Misdemeanor, Civil Actions over $10,000, Juvenile)
304-424-1700
2 Government Sq, Rm 133 Parkersburg, WV 26101-5353
Search options: In person.
Terminals: Yes
Magistrate Court (Misdemeanor, Civil Actions under $10,000, Eviction, Small Claims, Infractions, Traffic)
304-422-3444
401 2nd Street, Ste 12 Parkersburg, WV 26101
Search options: In person, Mail.
Terminals: Yes
Most Common Crimes Which Show up on West Virginia Arrest Records
Drug-Related Crimes
Drug crimes incorporate virtually any type of behavior associated with a prohibited drug like heroin, cocaine, marijuana and also some prescribed drugs. The movement of a narcotic will also be deemed a drug offense. In each state and nationally, authorities take narcotic crimes very seriously as they cause others to become injured, fall sick, or experience wrongful death. The United States government is constantly fighting the war on drugs, causing the prosecution of individuals they believe have violated a nationwide or state drug legislation.
Larceny / Theft
If a person tries or carries out the theft of either capital or personal property, then it’s charged under larceny or theft. The distinction of theft is applied when the crime is committed by a person who had lawful access to the dwelling or business. Burglary charges are filed if the criminal offense is committed by an individual who wasn’t supposed to be in or around the home.
Burglary
Traditionally, common usage of the term ‘burglary’ used to signify the illegitimate entrance of a private dwelling, particularly at nighttime, for theft. Through the years, the meaning has evolved to incorporate a variety of affiliated criminal acts, including unlawfully intruding any building, day or night, with the objective of thievery. Structures that qualify for burglary include areas of business, homes and outbuildings like parking garages and storage sheds.
Robbery
Robbery is different from theft in that it involves stealing property from an individual who is physically present. For example, a situation involving armed men who forcefully takes money from a bank teller meets the meaning of ‘robbery’ as a consequence of intent, threat or usage of force and direct removal of money from an individual.
Assault/Battery
It’s a thin line that distinguishes between assault and battery. If an individual is put in worry that they can be injured, for instance, an individual draws back to strike them in the face, then it is assault. However, if a person is hit, then it falls under the battery charge.
DWI/DUI
In every state, it’s a criminal offense to operate an automobile while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol, such as prescription medications. The offense is known as Driving under the Influence (DUI), Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or another label, dependant on the state.
Disorderly Conduct
This category can include a large range of various criminal activities, but in most cases includes disruptive or problematic conduct that takes place in public. Often disorderly conduct is activities that jeopardize other people or causes worry in them. If an individual is simply charged with disorderly conduct, then repercussions may be modest like minor fines; having said that, if someone commits numerous crimes or is particularly disorderly, then the repercussions could be stiffer.
Criminal Traffic Violations
Any time an individual is charged with a criminal traffic violation, they may be looking at time in jail. Rather than involving more widespread offenses like speeding, these charges are serious and could affect a persons future for years.
Fraud
Being a white-collar transgression, unlawful fraud involves a plot to con or cheat others for personal financial and other gains. Falsely representing some truth in an effort to mislead people can be considered criminal fraud.
Vandalism
Vandalism is willfully damaging the property of other folks. While mostly a misdemeanor charge, it’s a broad grouping that includes the likes of defacing or doing damage to a person’s car or truck, house, or personal property. Well-known acts can include spray painting a gate or motor vehicle.
Types of West Virginia Arrest Records
West Virginia Infractions Records
Infractions, for instance, traffic code offenses, are generally lesser offenses commonly punishable by fines.
West Virginia Misdemeanor Arrest
The differences between a misdemeanor and a felony depending on the extent of punishment which can be put on, as specified by the legal guidelines of individual jurisdictions. Generally speaking, criminal offenses with possible jail sentence up to a year are classified as misdemeanors, in contrast to felonies are generally defined as criminal acts with a possible jail sentence of more than 1 year. The court could make the call on whether a crime is recognized as a misdemeanor or a felony.
West Virginia Felony Arrest
Felonies are serious violations. The offenses may be violent or nonviolent in nature, but these tend to be more extreme illegal acts that will be punishable by imprisonment. When there is a sentence of more than a year in county jail or a federal prison facility, then it falls within this classification.
West Virginia Juvenile Arrest
Young adults along with older adults who got in trouble with law enforcement as minors oftentimes wonder whether or not they’re able to get their records sealed or expunged. On many occasions, sealing or expunging a record is totally possible. Having said that, in certain states, there is an obvious distinction between the two terms. Sealing documents suggests that they will be challenging for other individuals to gain access to. Expungement, in contrast, will involve eliminating or extracting them from the record altogether.
West Virginia Arrest Warrant
When someone possesses a warrant out for their arrest, it signifies that it has been produced by a judge or magistrate. The warrant is issued as a signed and sworn affidavit that provides proof that a crime has been committed and that the individual is believed responsible. Anytime a law enforcement officer gets an arrest warrant, they are supposed to then go and arrest the person so that they can be transported to jail. Most arrest warrants are needed when a crime has been committed but it was not directly observed by a police officer.
Difference Between Prison vs Jail Arrests in West Virginia
No one wants to spend time behind bars; even so, you can find several distinctions between arrests that bring about incarceration in prisons and jails. Typically, jails are for brief stays and are run by area institutions that concentrate on holding inmates while they serve small sentences or else wait to attend the trial. Prisons are long-term incarceration solutions that are set up to house felons and are operated by the state administration.
Expungement of Records in West Virginia see http://www.courtswv.gov/lower-courts/expungement/SCA-C900.pdf
Expungement necessitates the legal procedure of requesting a court to remove or “seal” information from a criminal history. Meaning it wouldn’t be viewable by the general population. In certain states, you can get dismissed charges together with certain convictions removed from your records if you fulfill certain conditions. To have success, a certain amount of time will need to have passed and the action must also be approved by a judge. The primary reason people demand expungement is for the goal of securing a better job or real estate.
Neighboring States.
Kentucky Criminal Records, Maryland Criminal Records, Ohio Criminal Records, Pennsylvania Criminal Records, Virginia Criminal Records