St. Albans Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in St. Albans, West Virginia?
Arrest records in St. Albans, West Virginia are public documents accessible to citizens pursuant to the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified under W. Va. Code § 29B-1-1 et seq. This statute establishes that records created, maintained, or held by public agencies, including law enforcement entities, shall be available for public inspection and copying. The transparency mandate serves multiple public interests, including governmental accountability, informed citizenry, and public safety awareness.
The St. Albans Police Department, operating under the authority of the City of St. Albans, maintains arrest records as part of its official documentation. These records become public upon completion of the booking process, subject to certain statutory exemptions. Exemptions may apply to records pertaining to ongoing investigations, juvenile offenders, or cases where disclosure might compromise public safety or individual privacy rights as outlined in W. Va. Code § 29B-1-4.
Citizens seeking arrest records must submit requests in compliance with established procedures. The custodian of records must respond to such requests within five business days, as mandated by state law. Reasonable fees for reproduction of documents may be assessed in accordance with W. Va. Code § 29B-1-3(5).
How to Look Up St. Albans Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in St. Albans. The following methods are available to requestors seeking such information:
- In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the St. Albans Police Department to submit formal requests for arrest records. Proper identification is required, and standard processing fees apply.
St. Albans Police Department
51 Sixth Avenue
St. Albans, WV 25177
Phone: (304) 727-2251
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- County Sheriff's Office: The Kanawha County Sheriff's Office maintains comprehensive records of arrests within the county jurisdiction, including those occurring in St. Albans.
Kanawha County Sheriff's Office
301 Virginia Street East
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 357-0169
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Municipal Court Records: The St. Albans Municipal Court maintains records of arrests that have resulted in court proceedings within city limits.
St. Albans Municipal Court
51 Sixth Avenue
St. Albans, WV 25177
Phone: (304) 727-2251
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Online Access: The West Virginia Regional Jail Authority maintains a searchable database of current inmates, accessible through their official portal. This resource provides limited information regarding recent arrests and detentions.
Written Requests: Citizens may submit written requests via certified mail to the records division of the St. Albans Police Department. Requests must include the requestor's full name, contact information, specific information sought, and applicable processing fees.
Pursuant to W. Va. Code § 29B-1-3, agencies may charge reasonable fees for document reproduction, not to exceed the actual cost of duplication. Fee schedules are posted at each agency location and on their respective websites.
Contents of a St. Albans Arrest Record
Standard arrest records maintained by the St. Albans Police Department and associated law enforcement agencies contain specific categories of information as prescribed by West Virginia state law and departmental policies. These records typically include:
Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, physical description, residential address, and any documented aliases or previous names.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest; name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); and the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest.
Criminal Charges: Specific statutory violations alleged, including citation of applicable West Virginia Code sections or municipal ordinances.
Case Disposition: Current status of the case, including whether charges were filed, dismissed, or resulted in conviction, and any sentencing information if applicable.
Booking Information: Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots"), fingerprint records, and unique identifying numbers assigned to the case.
Bail/Bond Information: Amount of bail set, conditions of release, and whether the individual was released or remained in custody pending court proceedings.
Court Information: Scheduled court appearances, assigned judge, and case numbers for tracking within the judicial system.
Certain information may be redacted from public arrest records in accordance with W. Va. Code § 29B-1-4, including but not limited to: Social Security numbers, medical information, information pertaining to juveniles, and details that might compromise ongoing investigations or public safety.
Expungement of Arrest Records in St. Albans
The State of West Virginia provides statutory mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records. Expungement procedures are governed primarily by W. Va. Code § 61-11-25 and § 61-11-26, which establish criteria and processes for removing arrest information from public access.
Eligibility for expungement in St. Albans is contingent upon several factors:
Case Disposition: Arrests that did not result in conviction, were dismissed, or resulted in acquittal may qualify for expungement after prescribed waiting periods.
Offense Classification: Misdemeanor offenses generally have less restrictive expungement criteria than felony offenses. Certain serious offenses, including violent crimes and sexual offenses, are statutorily ineligible for expungement.
Waiting Period: Depending on the offense classification, waiting periods ranging from one to five years must elapse before petitioning for expungement. During this period, the petitioner must remain free of subsequent criminal charges.
Criminal History: The petitioner's complete criminal history is considered, including arrests and convictions in other jurisdictions.
The expungement process requires filing a formal petition with the Circuit Court of Kanawha County. Petitioners must:
- Complete standardized petition forms available from the Circuit Clerk's Office
- Pay applicable filing fees (currently $200, with potential fee waivers available for indigent petitioners)
- Provide certified copies of relevant court documents
- Submit to fingerprinting for background verification
Kanawha County Circuit Court
111 Court Street
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 357-0400
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court schedules a hearing at which the petitioner must demonstrate eligibility for expungement. The prosecuting attorney and any victims have the right to appear and contest the petition. If granted, the expungement order directs all relevant agencies to seal or destroy records pertaining to the arrest.
Pursuant to W. Va. Code § 61-11-25(f), individuals granted expungement may legally deny the existence of the expunged arrest in most circumstances, with limited exceptions for certain employment applications and professional licensing requirements.
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