West Virginia records about 30,000 arrests yearly, with more than 300 taking place in Putnam County. The WV Freedom of Information Act mandates public access to records of arrested persons in the county. This means that anyone can visit official record custodians or local law enforcers to get copies of these documents. Some records are publicly accessible online at no cost.
However, Putnam County arrest records involving expunged/sealed cases, minors, or ongoing investigations remain confidential. These records are available only to the Putnam County Prosecutor, authorized entities, local law enforcement, and record owners. Arrest records may cost up to $32 per copy, depending on the agency and the type of request.
Putnam County arrest records are accessible in paper and digital formats from the following local and state agencies:
The Putnam County Sheriff's Office is tasked with maintaining and disseminating records of detainees to the public. You can obtain copies of arrest records by submitting written requests in person or by mail to:
Putnam County Sheriff's Office
236 Courthouse Drive, Suite 8
Winfield, WV 25213
Phone: (304) 586-0256
Putnam County police departments keep arrest records and ensure public access through their websites. Requesters can look up the websites to find contact details and instructions on how to request detailed arrest reports. While arrest reports are generally available online for free, paper copies may incur a fee. Some major police departments in Putnam include the following:
The WVSP Criminal Identification Bureau is responsible for maintaining and providing access to criminal history records for individuals who request them. Offenders' arrest information, such as charges filed, arresting agency, and court disposition, is included in criminal history records. Access to these records is primarily available to law enforcement agencies, employers conducting background checks, and individuals requesting their own records.
Name-based criminal history searches are not available in West Virginia. As such, eligible applicants must obtain fingerprint-based background checks through IdentoGO, a service operated by IDEMIA. To get fingerprints, applicants must schedule an appointment with IdentoGO online or call (855) 766-7746. On the appointment day, visit the fingerprinting location with valid government-issued IDs and the required fees. The cost for a fingerprint-based background check is approximately $32.50. Payments can be made using credit cards (Visa and MasterCard), certified checks, or money orders. Processing times vary depending on request volume, but applicants can expect results within a few days to a few weeks. Once processed, the results are either mailed directly to the requester or made available through the appropriate agency handling the request.
The Circuit Clerk holds criminal court records filed in Putnam County. To get these public documents, requesters can complete and send formal requests to:
Putnam County Circuit Clerk
12093 Winfield Road
Winfield, WV 25213
Phone: (304) 586-0203
Arrest information on criminal case files is accessible online through the Magistrate Case Record Search. Users can search the state's online portal by providing details like party type, party name, case ID, case type, court location, and case filing dates. An alternative way to find Putnam County arrest records online is via reputable third-party websites like InfoTracer.
Putnam's arrest rate is 613 per 100,000 people. Below are details of these arrest figures:
| Arrest Type | Number of Arrests |
|---|---|
| Murder and Non-negligent Manslaughter | 0 |
| Robbery | 1 |
| Rape | 1 |
| Aggravated Assault | 3 |
| Simple Assault | 50 |
| Arson | 1 |
| Burglary/Breaking & Entering | 0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 0 |
| Larceny | 9 |
| Total Crimes Against Persons (Violent Crimes) | 55 |
| Total Property Crimes | 10 |
| DUI Crimes | 69 |
| Others | 215 |
| Total Number of Arrests | 349 |
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation; Crime Data Explorer
| Department | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Eleanor Police Department | 201 Ash Circle | 304-586-1200 |
| Hurricane Police Department | 3245 Teays Valley Road | 304-562-9911 |
| Winfield Police Department | 21 Second Street | 304-586-9200 |