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Sissonville Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Sissonville, West Virginia?

Arrest records are public documents in Sissonville, West Virginia, pursuant to the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act (WVFOIA), W. Va. Code § 29B-1-1 et seq. This statute establishes that all public records maintained by government agencies are accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The WVFOIA serves as the legal foundation ensuring transparency in governmental operations, including law enforcement activities within Kanawha County where Sissonville is located. Members of the public may access these records to obtain information about arrests that have occurred within the jurisdiction.

The West Virginia Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access arrest records, recognizing their importance in maintaining governmental accountability. However, certain information within arrest records may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or sensitive personal information as provided under W. Va. Code § 29B-1-4, which outlines specific exemptions to public disclosure.

How to Look Up Sissonville Arrest Records in 2025

The process for obtaining arrest records in Sissonville has been modernized to balance public access with privacy considerations. Individuals seeking arrest information have several official channels available:

Kanawha County Sheriff's Office
301 Virginia Street East
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 357-0169
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Kanawha County Sheriff's Office
Kanawha County Courthouse
409 Virginia Street East
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 357-0130
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
West Virginia Judiciary
West Virginia State Police - Troop 4, Headquarters
725 Jefferson Road
South Charleston, WV 25309
Phone: (304) 746-2100
Hours: 24 hours daily
Online Court Record Access System
The West Virginia Judiciary provides a statewide court records portal where users may search for case information, including arrests that have led to court proceedings. Pursuant to Administrative Order issued by the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, certain records are available electronically, though complete case files may require in-person inspection.

Requestors must complete a standard records request form when seeking arrest information in person. Identification may be required, and nominal fees apply for document reproduction in accordance with W. Va. Code § 59-1-11.

Contents of a Sissonville Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Sissonville typically contain the following information as mandated by W. Va. Code § 15-2C-2:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s)
Arresting agency identification and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
Biometric data including fingerprints and, when collected, DNA samples
Demographic information including:
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Last known address
- Race and gender
Case disposition information, when available
Bail or bond amount set by the magistrate
Detention facility information if the individual was remanded to custody

It should be noted that juvenile arrest records (individuals under 18 years of age) are subject to different confidentiality standards under W. Va. Code § 49-5-101 and are generally not available to the public without a court order.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Sissonville

The West Virginia Legislature has established statutory provisions allowing for the expungement of certain arrest records under W. Va. Code § 61-11-25. Individuals may petition for expungement when:

The arrest did not lead to a conviction
Charges were dismissed or the individual was acquitted
The conviction was for certain eligible misdemeanors after prescribed waiting periods
The conviction was for certain non-violent felonies after longer waiting periods
The conviction was pardoned by the Governor

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Circuit Court of Kanawha County. Petitioners must:

Complete the standardized petition form available from the Circuit Clerk's Office
Pay the required filing fee (currently $200, though fee waivers are available for indigent petitioners)
Provide fingerprints for a background check conducted by the West Virginia State Police
Attend a hearing before a Circuit Court Judge
If granted, ensure the expungement order is properly served on all agencies holding records

The Kanawha County Circuit Court is located at:

Kanawha County Circuit Court
409 Virginia Street East
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 357-0325
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Charleston Municipal Court

Successful expungement results in the sealing of arrest records from public view, though certain government agencies may retain limited access for law enforcement purposes. Expunged records are excluded from background checks conducted for most employment and housing purposes, supporting rehabilitation and reintegration.

Legal Restrictions on Using Arrest Records

West Virginia law imposes significant restrictions on how arrest records may be utilized by employers, housing providers, and other entities. Pursuant to the West Virginia Human Rights Act (W. Va. Code § 5-11-1 et seq.) and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.), the following limitations apply:

Employers with 12 or more employees may not inquire about arrests that did not result in conviction during initial application processes
Housing providers may not categorically deny housing based solely on arrest records without convictions
Licensing boards must consider whether an arrest or conviction is directly related to the occupation or profession before denying licensure
Educational institutions receiving state funding may not deny admission based solely on arrest records

Violations of these provisions may result in civil penalties and private causes of action. The West Virginia Human Rights Commission investigates complaints regarding improper use of arrest records:

West Virginia Human Rights Commission
1321 Plaza East, Room 108A
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 558-2616
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM