Yes, arrest records are public in Morgantown, West Virginia. This accessibility is in accordance with the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act, which mandates that all public records, unless specifically exempted, must be accessible to the general public. This includes records pertaining to arrests, which are considered public to ensure transparency and accountability in law enforcement and government operations.
To get Morgantown arrest records, several options are available. While specific details might vary annually, generally, the methods to access these records remain consistent. Here are the typical ways to search for arrest records in Morgantown:
A Morgantown arrest record typically includes the following information:
In Morgantown, the expungement of arrest records is possible under certain conditions. Individuals who have been arrested but not convicted, or who have fulfilled the terms of a diversion program, may be eligible to have their arrest records expunged. The process typically involves filing a petition with the court that handled the case. The court then reviews the petition and, if all criteria are met and no objections from the prosecution, may order the expungement of the arrest record. This action effectively seals the record, making it inaccessible through public record searches and giving the individual the legal right to deny or not disclose events related to the expunged arrest.