In West Virginia, Monongalia County reports 1,300 arrests as part of the state's yearly total of 126,000 arrests. The public's right to view arrest records is governed by the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act (WV FOIA). While most records are public, there are exceptions outlined in the WV FOIA that allows certain information to be withheld from public inspection. The cost of accessing arrest records in Monongalia County varies depending on the method of access, however, it costs $20 per report if you are requesting them from the Sheriff's Office. Nevertheless, certain records are explicitly protected from disclosure by law, including those related to ongoing criminal investigations, as well as medical and mental health records.
Access to confidential records are available to certain parties, including the Prosecuting Attorney, the court Clerk, and various law enforcement entities like the Police and the Sheriff's Office.
Many agencies keep possession of arrest records and may be contacted for such records. Those in this category include law enforcement agencies and the West Virginia State Police.
The public may access arrest records by submitting requests to the Sheriff's Office, and it typically takes a few business days for the records to become available. To obtain an arrest record, you may visit the Sheriff's Office in person to request arrest records at:
116 Walnut Street
Morgantown, WV 26505
Phone: (304) 291-7260
Interested parties may search arrest records from the agency where an arrest was made. Individuals may access the website of the relevant Police Department to find information on how to request arrest records. In addition, they may also personally visit the Records Department, which oversees the management of records, to request arrest records relevant to that jurisdiction. The following are some of the major Police Departments in Monongalia County:
The West Virginia State Police partners with a third-party service provider, IDEMIA, to provide criminal records to the general public. Criminal records are accessible by visiting the IdentoGo website. In addition, you may also schedule a visit in person to an IdentoGo office near you or call their toll-free number at (855) 766-7746 for more information about how to order arrest records.
The Circuit Court in Monongalia County presides over major criminal cases such as felonies. The Circuit Court Clerk is accountable for the management and integrity of records filed in the county. Records are usually accessible at the Circuit Court Clerk's office (on-site). To request records from the Office of the Circuit Court Clerk, interested persons may schedule a visit to:
75 High Street
Suite 12
Morgantown, WV 26505
Phone: (304) 291-7240
Fax: (304) 284-7313
Alternatively, the public may visit the West Virginia Public Access Search System (WVPASS) on the website of the Circuit Court Clerk to access records. However, you will be required to register on the portal to view all records adjudicated in the Circuit Court.
It is worth noting that several third-party sites, including InfoTracer, provide the public with access to useful information regarding arrest records. You may want to leverage this website to obtain arrest records.
Monongalia County has a property crime index of 14.11 and a violent crime index of 2.58 per 1,000 persons. The following represents arrest data from the FBI Crime Data Explorer website for Monongalia County.
| Arrest Type | Number of Arrests |
|---|---|
| Homicide | 1 |
| Robbery | 9 |
| Aggravated Assault | 39 |
| Burglary | 19 |
| Arson | 1 |
| Driving Under Influence | 137 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 0 |
| Larceny | 234 |
| Disorderly Conduct | 51 |
| Drug/Narcotic | 126 |
| Simple Assault | 184 |
| Vandalism | 14 |
| All other Offenses | 253 |
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer
| Department | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Morgantown Police Department | 300 Spruce St | 304-284-7522 |
| Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Morgantown FCI | 446 Greenbag Road, Route 857 | 304-296-4416 |