Princeton Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Princeton, West Virginia?
Arrest records are public documents in Princeton, West Virginia, pursuant to the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act (W. Va. Code §29B-1-1 et seq.). This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies, shall be accessible to members of the public. The transparency afforded by this statute serves multiple civic purposes, including enabling citizens to monitor the activities of law enforcement agencies, facilitating public awareness of criminal activity within the community, and supporting the fundamental principle that an informed citizenry is essential to democratic governance.
The Mercer County Sheriff's Department and Princeton Police Department maintain these records in accordance with state regulations. While certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or sensitive personal information as permitted under W. Va. Code §29B-1-4, the core arrest data remains available for public inspection during regular business hours.
How to Look Up Princeton Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Princeton have several methodologies available for accessing this information. The following options represent the primary channels through which arrest records may be obtained:
• In-person requests may be submitted at the Princeton Police Department located at 1116 Mercer Street, Princeton, WV 24740. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should be prepared to complete a formal records request form and provide identification.
• The Mercer County Courthouse maintains judicial records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings. These records may be accessed at 1501 Main Street, Princeton, WV 24740, between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
• The West Virginia State Police maintains a centralized criminal history repository accessible through their Records and Identification Section at 725 Jefferson Road, South Charleston, WV 25309.
• Digital access has been expanded in recent years, with the West Virginia Judiciary offering the West Virginia Magistrate Court Case Information System for certain case information. This system does not provide comprehensive arrest records but may offer case status information for arrests that have proceeded to court.
• Third-party aggregators may compile public record information, though the accuracy and comprehensiveness of such services cannot be guaranteed by governmental entities.
Requestors should note that fees may apply for record retrieval and duplication, as authorized under W. Va. Code §29B-1-3(5).
Contents of a Princeton Arrest Record
Princeton arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by West Virginia law enforcement protocols. These documents typically include the following elements:
• Demographic information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and residential address
• Temporal and geographic details of the arrest, including the precise date, time, and location where the apprehension occurred
• Offense information, detailing the specific charges filed against the individual with reference to the applicable West Virginia Code sections allegedly violated
• Case identification numbers assigned by the arresting agency and the court system for administrative tracking purposes
• Arresting officer information, including name, badge number, and departmental affiliation
• Booking data, including fingerprint records and booking photographs (commonly known as "mugshots")
• Custody status information, indicating whether the individual was released on bail, personal recognizance, or remanded to custody pending further proceedings
• Preliminary hearing scheduling information, if applicable
• Disposition information, if the record has been updated following adjudication
It should be noted that pursuant to W. Va. Code §15-2C-1, certain information related to juvenile arrests may be subject to heightened confidentiality protections, and such records may not be included in publicly accessible arrest record repositories.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Princeton
The West Virginia Legislature has established statutory provisions through which qualifying individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records in Princeton and throughout the state. Expungement procedures are governed primarily by W. Va. Code §61-11-25 and §61-11-26, which delineate eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.
Individuals seeking expungement must satisfy specific statutory prerequisites, which typically include:
• Completion of any sentence or period of supervision related to the arrest
• Fulfillment of a waiting period, which varies based on the severity of the offense and case disposition
• Absence of subsequent criminal charges or convictions during the statutory waiting period
• Payment of all court-ordered fines, fees, restitution, and other financial obligations
• Demonstration that expungement serves the interests of justice and social welfare
The expungement process requires petitioners to file formal documentation with the Circuit Court of Mercer County, located at 1501 Main Street, Princeton, WV 24740. The petition must adhere to the format prescribed by statute and include all relevant case information. Upon filing, the court will schedule a hearing at which the petitioner must demonstrate compliance with all statutory requirements.
If granted, an expungement order directs all governmental agencies to seal the records pertaining to the arrest. Following expungement, the individual may legally respond to inquiries regarding the arrest as though it never occurred, with certain exceptions for specific governmental and licensing entities as enumerated in W. Va. Code §61-11-25(f).
Prospective petitioners are advised that expungement is a complex legal procedure with significant long-term implications. The West Virginia Legislature periodically revises expungement statutes, most recently through the passage of Senate Bill 152 (2020), which expanded eligibility criteria for certain non-violent offenses.
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