Raleigh County records about 2,000 arrests out of 126,000 yearly arrests in West Virginia. The FOIA establishes citizens' right to access non-exempt public records. Most records are publicly accessible; however, the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act (WV FOIA) outlines specific exceptions that allow for certain information to be withheld from public access.
In Raleigh County, the fees for accessing arrest records differ based on the retrieval method, with a charge of $20 per report when obtained from the Sheriff's Office. Furthermore, certain records, including those linked to ongoing criminal investigations, medical and mental health records, are explicitly protected from public disclosure by law. However, parties that are privy to these records include the Prosecuting Attorney's Office and law enforcement officers.
The public may retrieve arrest records from the Sheriff's Office online, via mail, and in person. Anyone may purchase arrest records via the online payment portal maintained by the Sheriff's Office. After finalizing your transaction, you'll gain a receipt by email that is used to prove you made a purchase and that enables you to get the requested records. A copy of an arrest record costs $20 and may be purchased in person at:
308 Ned Payne Drive
Beckley, WV 25801
Phone: (304) 255-9300
You may obtain arrest records from the police by talking with the specific municipal police department within the county that made the arrest. Individuals may call the records department to request records. The staff on duty at the records division will attend to your request. Certain PDs usually run a 24-hour service to the public, such as the Beckley PD, and are always available to provide copies of criminal reports as requested by the public. You may contact a Police Department by phone, in person, or by fax to request records. Some of the notable PDs in Raleigh County include Beckley Police Department, Sophia Police Department, and Mount Hope Police Department.
Interested persons may ask for records by sending a request for criminal records straight to the office of the WV State Police. 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 Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Court is the primary court for felony and serious misdemeanor cases. The West Virginia Public Access Search System (WVPASS) provides access to all online circuit court files available to the public back as far as 1999. With responsibility set forth by statute, the Circuit Court Clerk is responsible for maintaining official records for a variety of cases, including criminal, civil, and juvenile proceedings. To view court records in person in Raleigh County, you may visit the Raleigh County Courthouse, specifically the Clerk's Office at:
222 Main St.
Beckley, WV 25801
Phone: (304) 255-9135
It is essential to point out that a number of third-party websites, such as InfoTracer, provide the public with valuable access to information about arrest records. Interested persons may consider utilizing this site to acquire arrest records.
Raleigh County has a property crime index of 19.86 and a violent crime index of 3.29 per 1,000 persons. The following represents arrest data from the FBI Crime Data Explorer website for Raleigh County.
| Arrest Type | Number of Arrests |
|---|---|
| Homicide | 4 |
| Robbery | 4 |
| Aggravated Assault | 54 |
| Burglary | 16 |
| Arson | 1 |
| Driving Under the Influence | 145 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 8 |
| Larceny | 482 |
| Simple Assault | 310 |
| Vandalism | 33 |
| Stolen Property | 8 |
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer
| Department | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Beckley Police Department | 340 Prince St | 304-256-1720 |
| Sophia Police Department | 100 Railroad Ave | 304-683-3331 |
| Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Beckley Correctional Center (BCC) | 111 S. Eisenhower Drive | 304-256-6780 |
| Beckley FCI | 1600 Industrial Road | 304-252-9758 |