Criminal records in Raleigh County, West Virginia, are available through several channels. RaleighCourt.us allows you to find publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the state's judicial system online portals, law enforcement agencies, and the county clerk's office. Below are step-by-step instructions on how to search, understand, and request criminal records in this county.
How to Search Criminal Records in Raleigh
There are several ways to find criminal records related to Raleigh County. Which one is suitable depends on what you are looking for and how detailed the information you need is.
Online Search
- RaleighCourt.us — start here if you want to quickly check publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Enter a name or case number.
- West Virginia Judicial System Portal — the court record search page allows you to search records of circuit courts in all 55 counties of the state. For cases heard by the magistrate court, use the magistrate court record search.
- Inmate Search — the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation offers separate databases for searching regional jails and correctional facilities. To check daily admissions to facilities by Raleigh County, use the active inmate list by county.
In-Person Visit
The Raleigh County Clerk of Court maintains original criminal case files. You can visit the courthouse, use public access terminals, or ask the clerk to find a specific case. For magistrate court cases, the judicial system recommends calling or visiting the magistrate court clerk in the county where the case was filed.
Raleigh County Courthouse
Written Request
Send a written request to the county clerk's office. Include the full name of the person, date of birth (if known), and case number. For an official state-level criminal history check, the request is sent to the West Virginia State Police Criminal Identification Bureau.
What You Need to Start a Search
- Full name of the person (for inmate searches, the first three letters of the last name are sufficient)
- Date of birth — not mandatory, but significantly narrows the results
- Case number — if you know it, this is the fastest way
Search Raleigh Criminal Cases by Case Number
The case number is the most accurate way to find a specific record. In West Virginia, the circuit court case number format typically looks like this:
YY-F-NNN
- YY — the last two digits of the year the case was filed (e.g., 24 for 2024)
- F — a letter code for the type of case. For criminal cases, "F" (felony) or "M" (misdemeanor) is most commonly used. Other codes: "IF" (information felony), "MM" (misdemeanor in magistrate court)
- NNN — the sequential number of the case within the year
For example, the number 23-F-045 means: a felony case filed in 2023, sequential number 45. In magistrate court, the format is slightly different and may include additional letters or numbers indicating a specific magistrate court division.
With the exact number, enter it in the appropriate field on the circuit court or magistrate court search portal. The clerk can also find the case by this number when you visit in person or make a phone request.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Raleigh
A criminal case contains several key elements. Here's what each of them means.
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the specific article of the West Virginia Code under which the charges are brought (e.g., WV Code §61-2-9 — theft) |
| Severity | Felony — a serious crime (possible imprisonment for more than a year); Misdemeanor — a less serious offense; Infraction — a minor violation |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change or reduce charges during the case. New charges are reflected in the record alongside the original ones |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, no decision yet
- Active — the case is in active proceedings
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — all procedures are completed, including sentence execution
Types of Hearings
Each hearing has its purpose, and not all of them occur in every case.
- Arraignment — the first court session where the accused is read the charges and states whether they plead guilty or not guilty
- Preliminary hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to transfer the case to the circuit court (applies to felony)
- Pre-trial — a procedural meeting before the main trial
- Sentencing — the announcement of the sentence after a guilty plea
- Review — checking the fulfillment of sentence conditions (e.g., probation)
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty — by the court or by the defendant's admission |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted based on trial results |
| Dismissed | The case is closed without a verdict — at the initiative of the prosecutor or court |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor declined to prosecute |
| Acquitted | Complete acquittal after the case is considered on its merits |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Raleigh
A certified copy is an official document with the court's seal that confirms the authenticity of the records. Contact the Raleigh County Circuit Clerk's office.
Ways to Submit a Request
- In-person — visit the clerk's office at the courthouse. Present a photo ID.
- By mail — send a written request including the full name of the person, date of birth, case number (if known), and a copy of your photo ID. Include payment in the form of a money order or cashier's check.
For an official state-level criminal history report, contact the West Virginia State Police Criminal Identification Bureau. This procedure involves fingerprinting and a separate fee. Court forms for various types of requests are available on the West Virginia judicial system's website.
Required Documents
- Photo ID (driver's license, passport)
- Full name and date of birth of the person the request is about
- Case number (if known)
- Payment of the established fees
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Raleigh
Fees for obtaining copies of criminal records in West Virginia are regulated by state law. Below are approximate rates for Raleigh County.
| Service | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document | $0.25–$0.50 per page | Regular uncertified copy |
| Document certification | $0.50–$1.00 per document | In addition to copying costs; confirm the exact amount with the clerk |
| State-level criminal history check | $25.00 | Through WV State Police CIB; may require fingerprinting |
| FBI check | Additional fee | For federal check; amount set by FBI |
Processing Times
- Copies at the clerk's office — usually issued the same day or within a few business days
- Mail requests — from 5 to 15 business days, depending on the volume of the request
- Criminal history check through State Police — from 2 to 6 weeks
Confirm current fees directly with the clerk's office, as rates may change. Payment is usually accepted in the form of a money order, cashier's check, or cash for in-person requests.