Marshall County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Marshall County in 2026
MarshallWVRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to criminal records in Marshall County, West Virginia. Members of the public seeking criminal history data may find records sourced from county courts, law enforcement agencies, and state repositories. The types of records that may be accessible through official channels include:
- Arrest records and booking information
- Circuit court case filings and dispositions
- Active arrest warrants
- Jail and inmate records
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
- Sex offender registration data
- Probation and parole status information
Records can be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary avenues available to members of the public.
1. County Court Records
The Marshall County Circuit Court maintains case files for felony criminal matters, civil proceedings, and appeals from magistrate court. Members of the public may inspect court records in person at the courthouse during regular business hours.
Marshall County Circuit Court
600 Seventh Street
Moundsville, WV 26041
Phone: (304) 845-1220
Marshall Circuit Court – West Virginia Judiciary
Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full name of the subject and an approximate case filing date. Public access terminals are available in the clerk's office for on-site case searches.
2. Sheriff's Office
The Marshall County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and jail rosters. Members of the public may submit records requests directly to the Sheriff's Office. Active arrest warrants are published by the Marshall County Sheriff's Office on the county's official website.
Marshall County Sheriff's Office
600 Seventh Street
Moundsville, WV 26041
Phone: (304) 845-1211
Marshall County Commission
3. Online Court Search
The West Virginia Judiciary provides an online case search portal through which members of the public may search circuit and magistrate court records statewide. Users may search by party name, case number, or filing date. The portal reflects case status as updated by the respective clerk's office and may not reflect same-day filings.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The West Virginia State Police Criminal Identification Bureau serves as the state's central repository for criminal history records. Formal background check requests require submission of fingerprints and a completed request form. Processing times and fees vary depending on the type of request (personal record review vs. third-party background check).
West Virginia State Police – Criminal Identification Bureau
725 Jefferson Road
South Charleston, WV 25309
Phone: (304) 746-2277
wvsp.gov
5. Written/Mail Requests
Members of the public may submit written requests for court records to the Marshall County Circuit Clerk at 600 Seventh Street, Moundsville, WV 26041. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the approximate time period of the records sought. Under § 29B-1-3 of the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act, agencies are required to respond to written requests within five business days.
What Is Marshall County Criminal Records
A criminal record in Marshall County is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system within the jurisdiction of West Virginia and its subdivisions. Under West Virginia law, criminal records are created and maintained by multiple agencies throughout the lifecycle of a criminal case, from initial arrest through final disposition.
The distinction between record types is significant for legal and practical purposes:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that law enforcement took an individual into custody. An arrest record does not constitute evidence of guilt. A conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court of competent jurisdiction.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are the more serious classification of criminal offense under West Virginia law and carry potential sentences exceeding one year of incarceration. Misdemeanors carry lesser penalties. Both categories are documented in the circuit and magistrate court systems respectively.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Records pertaining to individuals adjudicated as juveniles are treated as confidential under West Virginia law and are not subject to public disclosure in the same manner as adult criminal records.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active arrest warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for an individual's apprehension. Historical records reflect resolved matters.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Marshall County include the Marshall County Sheriff's Office (arrest and jail records), the Marshall County Circuit Court (case files, dispositions, and sentencing orders), the West Virginia State Police Criminal Identification Bureau (statewide criminal history repository), and local municipal police departments operating within the county. Records are created at the point of arrest, updated through each stage of court proceedings, and finalized upon sentencing or dismissal. A complete criminal record may include charges filed, arraignment information, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing details, and probation or parole status.
Are Criminal Records Public In Marshall County
Criminal records in Marshall County are subject to public disclosure under the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act, § 29B-1-1 et seq., which establishes the public's right to inspect and copy government records. Adult conviction records, court proceedings, and case dispositions are accessible to members of the public as a matter of law.
As stated in the West Virginia FOIA, "all persons are, unless otherwise expressly provided by law, entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent them as public officials and employees." This principle extends to criminal court records maintained by the Marshall County Circuit Court and the offices of the county clerk.
Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under current law:
- Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations
- Juvenile adjudication records, which are sealed by operation of law
- Expunged or sealed records pursuant to court order
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Mental health and medical records incorporated into court files
The West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation maintains offender records for individuals under state supervision, and certain information from those records is available to the public through the agency's online offender search tools. Federal criminal records maintained by the FBI are governed by separate federal statutes and are not subject to West Virginia's open records law.
How To Find Criminal Records in Marshall County Online
Official County Resources
The Marshall County Commission publishes active arrest warrants through the Sheriff's Office on the county's official website. The County Clerk's office provides information regarding recorded documents and certain court-related filings. No registration is required to view warrant information posted on the county website.
State-Level Resources
The West Virginia Regional Jail Authority publishes a daily incarceration report listing individuals currently held in regional jail facilities statewide, including those detained pending proceedings in Marshall County. The West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation maintains a searchable offender database for individuals under state correctional supervision.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name as well as known aliases
- Case number searches yield the most precise results when the number is known
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as no single portal contains all record types
- Note that records predating digital systems may not appear in online searches
- Sealed and expunged records will not appear in public-facing search tools
Limitations
Online databases reflect data as reported by individual agencies and may not be updated in real time. Historical records predating electronic filing systems may require in-person requests. Online searches do not constitute official background checks and are not a substitute for certified criminal history reports obtained through the West Virginia State Police.
Can You Search Marshall County Criminal Records for Free
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection: Under § 29B-1-3 of the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act, members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge. Inspection of court records at the Marshall County Circuit Court and the County Clerk's office is available during regular business hours without a fee. Copying fees apply to reproduced documents.
2. Free Online Databases: The following resources are available at no cost:
| Resource | What It Contains | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Marshall County Active Warrants | Outstanding arrest warrants | Active Arrest Warrants |
| WV Regional Jail Daily Incarcerations | Current jail population statewide | Daily Incarcerations |
| WV DCR Offender Search | State correctional supervision records | DCR Offender Search |
| Marshall Circuit Court Records | Case filings and dispositions | Circuit Court |
3. Sheriff's Logs: Daily arrest and booking reports maintained by the Marshall County Sheriff's Office may be inspected in person at the Sheriff's Office during regular business hours.
What Costs Money
- Certified copies of court records: fees set by the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals
- Official state criminal history background checks through the WV State Police: fee required per request
- Staff-assisted record searches beyond routine inspection
- Expedited processing requests
State Fee Law
Under West Virginia Code, agencies may charge reasonable fees for the reproduction of public records but may not charge for the time spent inspecting records. Fee schedules are established by individual agencies in accordance with state guidelines.
What's Included in a Marshall County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
A criminal record maintained in Marshall County may include the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, State Identification Number (SID), and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information
Arrest records document the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond conditions, and the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information
Court case records include the case number, court of jurisdiction, filing date, charges as formally filed (including felony or misdemeanor classification and applicable statute), plea entered, and attorney of record.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome of the case, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details (type and length of sentence, fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision), any appeals filed, and probation or parole status.
Additional Record Types
A complete criminal history may also reflect active or recalled warrants, protective orders, sex offender registration status, DUI or DWI adjudications, certain traffic violations, and pending charges not yet resolved.
Records NOT Included
- Juvenile adjudication records (sealed by law)
- Expunged or sealed adult records
- Criminal records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Records from completed diversion programs where charges were dismissed
Accuracy Note
Members of the public who identify errors in their own criminal records may seek correction through the originating agency or the West Virginia State Police Criminal Identification Bureau. Inaccurate records can affect employment, housing, and licensing decisions, and individuals have the right under state law to challenge incorrect information.
How Long Does Marshall County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
West Virginia agencies are subject to records retention schedules established by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History and the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. These schedules govern the minimum periods for which criminal records must be retained.
Retention by Record Type
- Felony convictions: Retained permanently by the circuit court and the state criminal history repository
- Misdemeanor convictions: Retained permanently in court records; state repository retention follows applicable schedules
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained for a period determined by agency policy; may be subject to expungement under § 61-11-25 of the West Virginia Code
- Dismissed or acquitted cases: Court records are retained permanently and reflect the dismissal or acquittal as the disposition
- Juvenile records: Sealed upon the subject reaching adulthood; destruction timelines are governed by applicable juvenile justice statutes
- Pending cases: Retained until final resolution of the matter
Agency Differences
County circuit courts retain case files permanently in accordance with the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals records retention rules. The Marshall County Sheriff's Office and regional jail facilities retain booking and incarceration records according to agency-specific schedules. The West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation retains conviction and supervision records permanently for individuals who have served sentences under state jurisdiction.
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records in many instances. Paper records may be destroyed following scanning and digitization, but the electronic record remains accessible.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
Destruction refers to the physical or electronic elimination of a record. Sealing restricts public access while preserving the record for law enforcement use. Expungement, available under § 61-11-25 of the West Virginia Code, removes qualifying records from public access and, in certain circumstances, from law enforcement databases. Eligibility for expungement depends on the nature of the offense, the outcome of the case, and the time elapsed since disposition.
Federal Records
Criminal records maintained by the FBI through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are governed by federal law and are maintained separately from state and county records. Federal retention rules differ from West Virginia state requirements.
Practical Implications
Felony convictions appear on background checks indefinitely under current law. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act typically report convictions for seven to ten years, though this limitation does not apply to positions with salaries above certain thresholds. Professional licensing boards in West Virginia may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of the age of the conviction. Even if a county agency destroys physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the records have been legally expunged pursuant to a valid court order.