Marshall County Public Records / Marshall County Arrest Records

Marshall County Arrest Records

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Marshall County in 2026

MarshallWVRecords.us provides data and publicly available information related to arrest records in Marshall County, West Virginia. Members of the public may find booking records, charge information, custody status, court case references, and warrant data through official government sources and third-party aggregators. Record categories available through official channels include arrest logs, magistrate court case records, active warrant listings, inmate rosters, and criminal history summaries. The completeness and currency of any record depends on the originating agency and the method of access.

Records may be searched through official resources including the Marshall County Sheriff's Office, the Magistrate Court clerk, the County Clerk's office, public access terminals at the courthouse, and several online tools maintained by state and county agencies.

Online Methods:

1. County Sheriff's Office Arrest Records

The Marshall County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest and booking records for individuals taken into custody within the county. Members of the public may view active arrest warrants published by the Marshall County Sheriff's Office on the county's official website. The warrant listing is updated periodically and includes the subject's name, charges, and issuing authority. The Sheriff's Office cautions that information on the warrants page may contain errors due to improper reporting by outside agencies, and independent verification is advised before relying on any entry.

Available information includes the subject's name, the nature of the alleged offense, the issuing court, and the warrant status. The listing is refreshed on a rolling basis; however, real-time accuracy is not guaranteed for all entries.

2. Local Police Departments

Several municipal police departments operate within Marshall County, including the Glen Dale Police Department and the Moundsville Police Department. Arrest information originating from these agencies is forwarded to the Magistrate Court and may appear in the West Virginia Magistrate Court case search, which identifies the arresting agency for each case. Individual departments may issue press releases or public notices regarding significant arrests; these are published through official municipal channels.

3. County Clerk of Court Case Search

The Marshall County Clerk's office maintains criminal case files for circuit court proceedings. Members of the public may search by the defendant's name to locate court cases associated with an arrest. The Clerk's office holds records of felony proceedings, civil matters, and other circuit court actions. Magistrate-level cases, which include misdemeanors and certain felony preliminary hearings, are searchable through the West Virginia Judiciary's magistrate record search portal. As the West Virginia Judiciary notes, "Court documents themselves are not available online. Users are instructed to call or visit the magistrate court clerk in the county where a case is filed to obtain copies of documents."

4. State Law Enforcement Database

The West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation maintains an offender search tool for individuals currently under state supervision. The WV Regional Jail & Correctional Facility Authority's daily incarceration list provides a current roster of individuals held in regional jail facilities, including the North Central Regional Jail, which serves Marshall County. As the Authority's portal states, "Reference should be made to the records of any court having jurisdiction" for authoritative case disposition information. No fee is charged to access these state-maintained online search tools.

In-Person Access:

Sheriff's Office:

Marshall County Sheriff's Office
601 Seventh Street
Moundsville, WV 26041
Phone: (304) 845-1211
Marshall County Sheriff's Office

Members of the public requesting arrest records in person should present a valid government-issued photo identification. Requesters are advised to provide the full name of the subject, the approximate date of arrest, and a booking number if known. Standard copy fees apply per page for printed records.

Police Departments:

Moundsville Police Department
406 Sixth Street
Moundsville, WV 26041
Phone: (304) 845-4530

Glen Dale Police Department
1 Wheeling Avenue
Glen Dale, WV 26038
Phone: (304) 845-3560

Records requests submitted to municipal police departments follow the same general procedure as those submitted to the Sheriff's Office. Requesters should submit a written request identifying the subject and the approximate date of the incident. Copy fees are assessed per page.

Clerk of Court:

Marshall County Circuit Clerk
600 Seventh Street
Moundsville, WV 26041
Phone: (304) 845-1220
County Clerk

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Members of the public may inspect open criminal case files at the Circuit Clerk's office during regular business hours. Certified copies are available for a fee. The Clerk's office does not provide legal advice regarding the contents of any record.

Marshall County Magistrate Court
600 Seventh Street
Moundsville, WV 26041
Phone: (304) 845-1490
Magistrate Court

As noted on the county's official website, "Magistrates issue and record affidavits, complaints, arrest warrants and search warrants. They also maintain official records." In-person inspection of magistrate case files is available during regular court hours.

By Mail:

Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to the Marshall County Sheriff's Office at 601 Seventh Street, Moundsville, WV 26041. Each written request should include the following:

Full legal name of the subject (first and last name at minimum)
Date of birth or approximate age
Date of arrest, if known
Booking number, if known
Requester's full name, mailing address, and contact telephone number
Payment for applicable copy fees (check or money order payable to the Marshall County Sheriff's Office)

Processing time for mailed requests varies and may extend several weeks depending on volume and record availability.

By Phone:

Marshall County Sheriff's Office: (304) 845-1211
Marshall County Magistrate Court: (304) 845-1490
North Central Regional Jail (inmate information): (304) 873-1800

Telephone inquiries yield limited information. Callers may be directed to the online search portal or advised to submit a written request or appear in person for detailed records.

Through Legal Channels:

Attorneys of record may obtain more comprehensive arrest and investigative records through formal discovery in criminal proceedings. Subpoenas directed to the custodial agency compel production of records not otherwise available to the general public. Parties to active litigation may request records through the court's discovery process under the West Virginia Rules of Criminal Procedure.

Information Needed for Search:

Full legal name (first and last name at minimum)
Date of birth or approximate age
Approximate date of arrest
Booking number, if known
Jurisdiction of arrest (Sheriff's Office, municipal police, or state agency)

Are Arrest Records Public in Marshall County

Arrest records in Marshall County are public records subject to disclosure under the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act, codified at W. Va. Code § 29B-1-1 et seq. The Act establishes a presumption of public access to government records, including law enforcement records, subject to enumerated exemptions. Arrest records are maintained as public documents because they reflect the exercise of governmental authority and serve the interests of transparency, public safety, community awareness, journalism and research, background screening, and legal proceedings.

What Arrest Information Is Public:

Arrestee name and aliases
Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency
Charges filed at time of arrest
Booking number
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Bond and bail information
Custody status
Basic demographic information (age, physical description)

Limitations on Public Access:

Juvenile arrest records (restricted or sealed under state law)
Expunged arrest records (removed from public access by court order)
Sealed records (subject to court-ordered confidentiality)
Active investigation information that would compromise an ongoing inquiry
Undercover officer identities
Confidential informant information
Victim identifying information in certain offense categories
Witness protection participants

Constitutional and Legal Basis:

West Virginia's public records framework reflects a balance between governmental transparency and individual privacy. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution supports press and public access to court proceedings and arrest information. Due process considerations require that arrest records accurately reflect the status of proceedings, including dismissals and acquittals, to prevent undue prejudice to individuals whose charges were not prosecuted.

Who Can Access Arrest Records:

General public
Media organizations
Employers (subject to restrictions under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act)
Landlords (subject to applicable restrictions)
Licensing agencies
Background check companies
Attorneys and legal professionals
Academic researchers

Restrictions on Use:

Employers and background screening companies that use arrest records for employment decisions must comply with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq. The FCRA limits the reporting of certain arrest information and requires accuracy and dispute resolution procedures. West Virginia does not currently have a statewide "ban the box" law applicable to private employers, though federal contractors are subject to separate requirements. An arrest that did not result in conviction carries no legal presumption of guilt and should be distinguished from a conviction record in any screening context.

What's in Marshall County Arrest Records

Personal Identification Information:

Full legal name
Aliases or "also known as" names
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Sex and gender
Race and ethnicity
Height and weight
Eye color and hair color
Identifying marks such as scars or tattoos
Address at time of arrest (may be partially redacted)

Arrest Details:

Arrest date and time
Location of arrest (street address or general area)
Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, municipal police department, or West Virginia State Police)
Arresting officer name and badge number (in some records)
Booking date and time
Booking number or arrest number
Warrant information, if the arrest was warrant-based

Charges Information:

Specific criminal charges
West Virginia statute numbers violated
Charge descriptions
Classification (felony degree or misdemeanor class)
Number of counts for each charge
Domestic violence designation, if applicable
Gang-related designation, if applicable

Booking Information:

Booking facility name and location
Intake process timestamp
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprints (collected but not included in public-facing records)
Personal property inventory

Custody and Bond Information:

Current custody status (in custody, released, or bonded out)
Bond amount set by the court or magistrate
Bond type:
- Cash bond
- Surety bond
- Personal recognizance (PR bond)
- No bond
Release date and time, if released
Release conditions, if made part of the public record

Court Information:

Court case number assigned
Court jurisdiction (Magistrate Court or Circuit Court)
Scheduled arraignment or initial appearance date
Court location
Judge or magistrate assignment, if available

Prior Arrest History (may be included):

Previous arrests recorded in the county
Previous booking numbers
Historical charges associated with the subject

What's Typically NOT in Public Arrest Records:

Detailed narrative of the arrest (police report contents)
Witness statements
Victim identifying information
Evidence collected during the investigation
Investigative techniques or methods
Medical or mental health information
Substance abuse information
Social Security number (redacted by law)
Bank account or financial information

Difference Between Arrest Records and Related Documents:

Police reports: Contain detailed incident narratives and investigative findings not included in the booking record
Court records: Document legal proceedings that occur after the arrest, including hearings, motions, and dispositions
Criminal records: Reflect convictions and sentences imposed following adjudication
Background checks: Compile information from multiple sources, including court records, law enforcement databases, and credit history

How Much Does It Cost to Get Arrest Records in Marshall County?

Members of the public may inspect open public records at no charge during regular business hours. Fees are assessed when copies are requested. Under W. Va. Code § 29B-1-3, agencies may charge reasonable fees for the actual cost of reproducing records.

Record Type	Standard Fee
Paper copies (per page)	$0.50–$1.00 per page (varies by office)
Certified copies	$1.50–$5.00 per document (varies by office)
Electronic copies (where available)	No charge or nominal fee
Search fee	No statutory search fee under WVFOIA

Accepted payment methods at the Marshall County Clerk's office and Sheriff's Office include cash, check, and money order. Credit card acceptance varies by office and should be confirmed in advance.

Fee waiver provisions exist for indigent requesters in certain circumstances; applicants seeking a waiver should submit a written request explaining the basis for the waiver at the time of the records request. Inspection of records at a public access terminal, where available, is provided at no cost.

Online searches through the West Virginia Judiciary's magistrate record search portal and the Regional Jail Authority's daily incarceration list are available at no charge to the public.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Marshall County

West Virginia law provides two primary mechanisms for removing or restricting public access to arrest records: expungement (legal erasure of the record) and sealing (restricting public access while preserving the record for law enforcement purposes). The distinction is significant: an expunged record is treated as though the arrest never occurred for most purposes, while a sealed record remains accessible to law enforcement and certain licensing agencies.

Eligibility for Expungement:

Under W. Va. Code § 61-11-26, West Virginia provides for expungement of arrest records in the following circumstances:

Charges were dismissed or the individual was acquitted
The prosecutor declined to file charges (no information filed)
The individual successfully completed a first-offender diversion program
Certain misdemeanor convictions after a waiting period
Certain felony convictions after a waiting period, subject to offense-specific restrictions

Serious violent offenses, sexual offenses, and offenses involving minors are not eligible for expungement under current law.

Steps to Petition for Expungement:

Obtain a copy of the arrest record and associated court case number from the Marshall County Circuit Clerk or Magistrate Court.
Confirm eligibility based on the offense type and disposition.
Complete the Petition for Expungement form, available from the Circuit Clerk's office.
File the petition with the Marshall County Circuit Court and pay the applicable filing fee.
Serve copies of the petition on the prosecuting attorney and any law enforcement agency named in the record.
Attend the scheduled hearing; the court will determine whether expungement is warranted.
If granted, the court issues an order directing all named agencies to expunge or seal the record.

Contact Information for Expungement Proceedings:

Marshall County Circuit Court Clerk
600 Seventh Street
Moundsville, WV 26041
Phone: (304) 845-1220
County Clerk

Marshall County Prosecuting Attorney's Office
600 Seventh Street, Suite 201
Moundsville, WV 26041
Phone: (304) 845-1700

Individuals seeking expungement are advised to consult a licensed West Virginia attorney, as procedural requirements vary based on the nature of the offense and the disposition of the case. The West Virginia State Bar's lawyer referral service may assist in locating qualified counsel.

What Happens After Arrest in Marshall County?

Immediate Post-Arrest Process:

1. Transport to Jail

Following an arrest in Marshall County, the arrested individual is transported to the North Central Regional Jail, which serves as the primary detention facility for the county.

North Central Regional Jail
26 Mountaineer Highway
Greenwood, WV 26415
Phone: (304) 873-1800
WV Regional Jail & Correctional Facility Authority

Transport time varies based on the location of the arrest and officer availability.

2. Booking Process

Upon arrival at the booking facility, the following steps are completed:

Personal information recorded
Miranda rights administered if not previously given
Booking photograph (mugshot) taken
Fingerprints collected and submitted to state and federal databases
Criminal history and outstanding warrants checked
Personal property inventoried and stored
Clothing exchanged for jail-issued attire
Medical and brief mental health screening conducted
Housing classification assigned

The booking process takes approximately one to four hours depending on facility volume.

3. First Appearance/Initial Hearing

Under West Virginia law, an arrested individual must be brought before a magistrate without unreasonable delay, and in no event later than the next court day following arrest. The initial appearance before the Marshall County Magistrate Court serves the following purposes:

Formal notification of charges
Appointment of a public defender for indigent defendants
Bond and bail determination
Advisement of constitutional rights

Hearings may be conducted via video conference when in-person appearance is not practicable.

Bond/Bail Process:

Types of Bond:

Cash Bond: The full bond amount must be paid in cash to the facility. The amount is refunded at the conclusion of the case, minus applicable fees, provided all court appearances are made.

Surety Bond: The defendant or a family member engages a licensed bail bondsman, who posts the full bond amount in exchange for a non-refundable premium, which is ten percent of the bond amount in West Virginia.

Personal Recognizance (PR Bond): The defendant is released on a written promise to appear at all future court dates. No monetary payment is required. Eligibility is based on community ties, employment status, criminal history, the nature of the charges, and assessed flight risk.

No Bond: The court may order that no bond be set in cases involving serious violent offenses, demonstrated flight risk, danger to the community, probation or parole violations, immigration holds, or active out-of-state warrants.

Conditions of Release may include regular check-in requirements, travel restrictions, no-contact orders, drug and alcohol testing, GPS monitoring, and pretrial supervision.

4. Release or Continued Detention

If bond is posted, the release processing time is typically one to eight hours. The released individual receives a written notice of all scheduled court dates and conditions of release. Failure to appear results in bond forfeiture and issuance of a bench warrant.

If bond is not posted, the individual remains in custody, receives a housing assignment, and is oriented to facility rules, commissary procedures, phone privileges, and visitation schedules.

Accessing Legal Representation:

Public Defender's Office:

Marshall County Public Defender's Office
600 Seventh Street
Moundsville, WV 26041
Phone: (304) 845-7490

Eligibility for a court-appointed public defender is based on financial need. Defendants must complete an application at or before the initial appearance.

Private Attorney: Defendants have the right to retain private counsel at any stage of the proceedings. The West Virginia State Bar's lawyer referral service is available at (304) 558-7991.

Charging Decision:

The Marshall County Prosecuting Attorney's Office reviews the arrest and determines whether to file formal charges, request additional investigation, decline prosecution, or file different charges. For felony offenses, the prosecutor may present the matter to a grand jury, which determines whether probable cause exists to issue an indictment. The defendant is not present during grand jury proceedings.

Arraignment:

At arraignment, the defendant is formally advised of the charges and enters a plea of not guilty, guilty, or no contest. Most defendants enter a not guilty plea at arraignment, preserving the right to negotiate or proceed to trial. Subsequent court dates are set at this hearing.

Court Process Overview:

The pretrial phase includes discovery (exchange of evidence), pretrial motions (including motions to suppress or dismiss), pretrial conferences, and plea negotiations. Case resolution may occur through dismissal, diversion program completion, a negotiated plea agreement, or trial. If convicted at trial or by plea, a sentencing hearing is scheduled at which the judge imposes a sentence that may include incarceration, probation, fines, restitution, community service, or a combination thereof.

Timeline Overview:

Stage	Timeframe
Arrest to first appearance	Next court day (no unreasonable delay)
First appearance to arraignment	Days to several weeks
Arraignment to resolution	Months (varies by complexity)
Misdemeanor cases	Typically resolved within 90–180 days
Felony cases	Typically resolved within 6–18 months

Rights Throughout the Process:

Right to remain silent
Right to an attorney
Right to a speedy trial
Right to confront witnesses
Right to present a defense
Right against self-incrimination
Right to appeal a conviction

Important Contacts:

Marshall County Sheriff's Office (Jail)
601 Seventh Street
Moundsville, WV 26041
Phone: (304) 845-1211
Active Arrest Warrants

Marshall County Circuit Clerk
600 Seventh Street
Moundsville, WV 26041
Phone: (304) 845-1220
County Clerk

Marshall County Prosecuting Attorney's Office
600 Seventh Street, Suite 201
Moundsville, WV 26041
Phone: (304) 845-1700

Marshall County Public Defender's Office
600 Seventh Street
Moundsville, WV 26041
Phone: (304) 845-7490

North Central Regional Jail
26 Mountaineer Highway
Greenwood, WV 26415
Phone: (304) 873-1800
Locate an Inmate

What to Do If You're Arrested:

Remain calm and cooperative with law enforcement officers.
Do not physically resist arrest under any circumstances.
Politely invoke the right to remain silent.
Request an attorney immediately and do not answer questions until counsel is present.
Do not discuss the case with cellmates, jail staff, or anyone other than your attorney.
Contact family or friends to assist with bail arrangements.
Attend all scheduled court dates without exception.
Comply with all conditions of release if bond is granted.

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Marshall County?

Records retention in Marshall County is governed by state law and the policies of each custodial agency. West Virginia's records retention schedules, administered through the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, establish minimum retention periods for law enforcement and court records.

Arrest Records Retention by Type:

Active Arrest Records (Conviction Resulted):

Felony Convictions:

Retained permanently by the Sheriff's Office, Circuit Clerk, the West Virginia State Police criminal history repository, and the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC).
No statutory provision authorizes destruction of felony conviction records.

Misdemeanor Convictions:

Retained permanently by the Circuit Clerk and Magistrate Court.
Local law enforcement agencies retain booking records for a minimum of five years; many agencies retain them indefinitely in digital systems.

Arrest Records (No Conviction):

Dismissed Charges:

Local law enforcement: Retained for a minimum of five years under standard retention schedules.
Court records: Retained permanently in the court's electronic case management system.
State repository: Records remain unless the subject obtains an expungement order.

Acquittals (Not Guilty Verdicts):

Court records: Retained permanently.
Local law enforcement: Retained for a minimum of five years.
Eligible for expungement petition under current West Virginia law.

Charges Not Filed:

Booking records: Retained for a minimum of five years.
Eligible for expungement in many circumstances.

No-Information (Prosecutor Declined):

Law enforcement records: Retained for a minimum of five years.
Subject may petition for expungement.

Digital vs. Physical Records:

Physical Records:

Booking paperwork and fingerprint cards: Minimum five-year retention.
Photographs: Retained as long as the associated record is active.

Digital Records:

Records management systems: Often retained permanently once entered.
Court electronic records: Permanent retention is standard practice.
Mugshot databases maintained by third-party commercial operators are not subject to law enforcement retention schedules and may retain images indefinitely.

Third-Party Databases:

Commercial background check companies and mugshot aggregator websites may retain arrest records indefinitely and are not required to update entries when a record is expunged unless the subject submits a verified removal request. The FCRA requires that consumer reporting agencies maintain reasonable procedures to ensure accuracy, but enforcement is the responsibility of the subject or a private attorney.

Retention by Agency:

Marshall County Sheriff's Office
601 Seventh Street
Moundsville, WV 26041
Phone: (304) 845-1211

Booking records and arrest reports: Minimum five-year retention; felony-related records retained permanently.

Marshall County Circuit Clerk
600 Seventh Street
Moundsville, WV 26041
Phone: (304) 845-1220
County Clerk

Felony case files: Permanent retention. Misdemeanor case files: Minimum ten years. Traffic cases: Minimum five years.

West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation
1409 Greenbrier Street
Charleston, WV 25311
Phone: (304) 558-2036
West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation

The state criminal history repository retains records of all arrests reported by West Virginia law enforcement agencies. Retention is permanent for conviction records; non-conviction records remain unless expunged by court order.

FBI Database:

The NCIC and the Interstate Identification Index (III) maintain federal-level records of arrests reported by participating agencies. Federal retention is permanent. Law enforcement agencies nationwide may access these records. Background checks for employment, firearms purchases, and professional licensing draw on these federal databases.

Effect of Disposition on Retention:

Disposition	Local Retention	State Repository	FBI Database
Conviction	Permanent	Permanent	Permanent
Dismissal	Minimum 5 years	Permanent unless expunged	Permanent unless expunged
Acquittal	Minimum 5 years	Permanent unless expunged	Permanent unless expunged
No charges filed	Minimum 5 years	May be purged or expunged	Permanent unless expunged

Impact on Background Checks:

Under the FCRA, most consumer reporting agencies limit reporting of non-conviction arrest records to seven years from the date of arrest for positions with annual compensation below a statutory threshold. Conviction records may be reported indefinitely. West Virginia does not currently impose a shorter reporting period by state statute. Expungement of a record does not guarantee its removal from all commercial databases, and subjects may need to submit individual removal requests to third-party operators.

How to Check Retention Status:

Members of the public may contact the Marshall County Sheriff's Records Division at (304) 845-1211 to inquire about