>Raleigh County Arrest Records Online

Raleigh County, West Virginia Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Raleigh County, West Virginia?

Arrest records in Raleigh County, West Virginia are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act (WVFOIA), W. Va. Code § 29B-1-1 et seq. This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies within the county, shall be open for public inspection. The WVFOIA mandates that public bodies shall make available for public inspection and copying all public records, except as specifically exempted under § 29B-1-4.

The Raleigh County Sheriff's Department maintains these records as part of their statutory duty to document law enforcement activities. Members of the public seeking arrest information may obtain these records through formal requests to the appropriate county agencies. While certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with statutory exemptions, the fundamental principle of public access remains intact.

Raleigh County Sheriff's Department
201 South Eisenhower Drive
Beckley, WV 25801
(304) 255-9300
Raleigh County Government

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Raleigh County?

Digital access to Raleigh County arrest records is available through several official online platforms. The West Virginia Regional Jail Authority maintains a searchable database that includes information on individuals currently incarcerated in county facilities. Additionally, the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation provides an offender search function that includes data on arrests and subsequent detention.

The West Virginia Judiciary has implemented the Magistrate Case Record Search system, which allows public access to court records that often contain information related to arrests. This system operates pursuant to West Virginia Code § 51-1-17, which authorizes the Supreme Court of Appeals to establish and maintain a uniform system for record management.

Online access is subject to certain limitations established by West Virginia Code § 61-11-26, which governs the expungement of certain records, and § 49-5-103, which restricts access to juvenile records. Users of these online systems should be aware that the information provided may not constitute a complete criminal history and should be verified through official channels for legal purposes.

How to Look Up Raleigh County Arrest Records in 2025

The process for obtaining Raleigh County arrest records has been streamlined in accordance with West Virginia Code § 29B-1-3, which establishes procedures for requesting public records. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize the following methods:

Submit a formal records request to the Raleigh County Sheriff's Department in person during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM). Requestors must complete a standardized form and may be required to present identification.
Access the West Virginia Regional Jail Authority's daily inmate database, which provides information on current detainees including arrest date, charges, and bond information.
Utilize the Magistrate Court Record Search portal to locate case information related to arrests that have resulted in court proceedings.
Contact the Beckley Police Department Records Division for arrests occurring within city limits:

Beckley Police Department Records Division
340 Prince Street
Beckley, WV 25801
(304) 256-1708
Beckley Police Department Records Division

Request records from the West Virginia State Police for arrests involving state-level investigations:

West Virginia State Police - Beckley Detachment
105 Pinecrest Drive
Beckley, WV 25801
(304) 256-6700

Pursuant to W. Va. Code § 29B-1-3(d), agencies must respond to records requests within a maximum of five business days. Fees for copies may be assessed in accordance with § 29B-1-3(e), which permits reasonable charges for reproduction of documents.

Contents of a Raleigh County Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Raleigh County law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as prescribed by West Virginia Code § 15-2-24, which establishes uniform crime reporting requirements. These records typically include:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and address of residence.
Arrest details, including the date, time, and specific location where the apprehension occurred.
Statutory citations and descriptions of the alleged criminal offenses, including whether they are misdemeanors or felonies under West Virginia law.
Identity of the arresting agency and the name and badge number of the arresting officer(s).
Booking information, including mugshot photographs, fingerprint records, and unique identifying numbers assigned to the case.
Custody status information, including bail or bond amounts, conditions of release if applicable, and detention facility location.
Preliminary hearing dates and initial court appearance information.

The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the nature of the offense and the arresting agency's protocols. Records pertaining to juvenile arrests are subject to additional confidentiality protections under West Virginia Code § 49-5-101, which restricts public access to such information except under specific circumstances authorized by statute.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Raleigh County

West Virginia Code § 61-11-26 establishes the legal framework for expungement of arrest records in Raleigh County. Individuals may petition for expungement when:

The charge was dismissed or the individual was found not guilty.
The arrest did not lead to formal charges within the statute of limitations.
The individual has completed a pre-trial diversion program and charges were subsequently dismissed.
The offense qualifies under the statutory provisions for expungement of certain misdemeanors or non-violent felonies after prescribed waiting periods.

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Circuit Court of Raleigh County located at:

Raleigh County Circuit Court
222 Main Street
Beckley, WV 25801
(304) 255-9136

Pursuant to § 61-11-26(c), the petition must include specific information including the petitioner's full name, address, date of birth, the charge for which expungement is sought, the case number, the date of arrest, and the law enforcement agency that made the arrest. The statute requires a waiting period of one year after dismissal or acquittal before filing for expungement in most cases.

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing and notify the prosecuting attorney and the arresting agency. If the court grants the expungement, all records relating to the arrest, charge, or other matters arising out of the arrest or charge shall be expunged in accordance with the procedures outlined in § 61-11-26(k).

It should be noted that certain offenses, including those involving violence against persons, sexual offenses, and offenses against minors, are specifically excluded from eligibility for expungement under § 61-11-26(o).