Search West Virginia Public Records

How to Look Up Criminal Records in West Virginia

Under WV Code 15-2-24(d), law enforcement agencies will supply upon request, a person’s criminal records and arrest records to any private citizen. The state keeps a central repository of all state criminal records for the state and all forms of law enforcement feed into them with daily records. All arrest record requests are processed via fingerprints. A requestor may need a consent form before obtaining a copy of someone’s arrest records. They can call the state for more information on how to obtain criminal background checks and arrest records.

Victims & Offenders by Gender and Race

What Information Does WV Arrest Records Report Include?

West Virginia arrest records are informative. Along with general data like West Virginia mugshots, name, address, phone, gender, race, height, weight, and fingerprints, they also contain someone’s entire arrest history. Each arrest will include the date of the arrest, time, arresting officer’s name, arresting agency, the charges, and disposition. Also included will be booking details, bail or bond posted associated with the charges and any pleas. Sometimes even attorney names, other accomplices and any vehicles involved will also be on there.

West Virginia Police Report and Mugshots

Are West Virginia Police Reports Public Record?

Yes, according to the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act §29B–1 et seq., police reports in West Virginia are public records, and you can obtain them very easily. The West Virginia state police have a website where you can use a single form to order either a police report or crash report. If you order a police report, you will need a few details like:

• Name of person(s) involved.
• Location of the event.
• The date and ideally the time of the incident.
• Type of crime/event.

Reports cost only $20, but if you want to order video or audiotapes, that will cost an additional $50. You can also get crime scene photos for $25 (per set). Some of the information you can find in a police report is:

• The suspect’s name.
• The date and time of the incident.
• Whether or not the person was arrested.
• Other offender names.
• A detailed description of what happened.
• Photographs taken at the scene.
• Witness testimony.
• Name, contact info, and badge number of the officer in charge.

West Virginia Mugshots

Mugshots in the U.S. were first used in the late 1800s. French policeman Alphonse Bertillon invented them and perfected the pose, lighting, and background. He decided upon two shots (a side view and a front view) with the suspect holding a placard with their name, booking ID, and other information on it. Modern-day mugshots rarely have these cards anymore.

West Virginia mugshots do not follow any standard style, and the backgrounds can vary from gray, white, and green. The person may be photographed in front of a brick wall or other structure. They are also wearing their street clothes. Mugshots in West Virginia are easily found online in jail lookups in most county websites.

West Virginia Arrest Booking Process

West Virginia police officers have the right to arrest someone whom they witness committing a crime, have probable cause that the person did commit a crime or with an arrest warrant. Upon arrest and being read their Miranda rights, the suspect will be handcuffed and taken to the local county jail for processing.

The booking process may consist of the following:

• Mugshots.
• Fingerprinting.
• A full body search.
• Possibly a medical exam.
• All their personal belongings will be confiscated and inventories and held for them until release.
• Possibly a DNA swab.
• Police will question the suspect to obtain basic information like their name, address, date of birth, etc.

Bail may or may not be set depending on whether or not the suspect can see the magistrate. If they do, they may be able to secure a bond and get released until their trial. Otherwise, they will remain in custody until their trial.

Violent Crime Rates for the last 10 years

The crime rate has increased over the past decade in West Virginia, going from 2,157 crimes in 2006 to 2,384 by 12% higher than it was back in 2006. The largest percentage of violent crimes falls into the Aggravated Assault category, with Revised Rape being the least popular crime in the state.

Arrest Law

WV police officers can arrest someone with a warrant. They can also arrest someone without a warrant when the officer believes that an offense has been committed and the suspect committed it. Officers can arrest someone when a crime has been committed in their presence. West Virginia police officers can also arrest someone when they know a felony has been committed and they have probable cause to believe that someone has committed it or someone else has given them credible information that the person committed the crime.

The Arrest Rate in West Virginia

For the last year reported, 2016, WV reported 15,858 arrests. The most significant number of them (6,311) were for property crimes, another 3,958 were for larceny-theft, 1,957 were for burglary, 1,592 were for violent crime, and 1,372 were for aggravated assault.

State Offender and Victim Age Group Statistics

Most of the violent crime offenders in West Virginia were 20-29 and the largest percentage of violent crime victims were 20-29.

Crime Victim Demographics

In most of the crime cases the offender was an acquaintance.

West Virginia Arrest Records by Type of Crime

The popular arrests for 2017 in West Virginia was for All Other Offenses (except traffic) - 11,734, the same popularity of the arrest type was seen in Alabama, Alaska, and Arizona. The least popularity had Curfew and Loitering Law Violations arrests - with only 18 crimes a year.