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Wood County, West Virginia Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Wood County, West Virginia?

Arrest records are public in Wood County, West Virginia, pursuant to the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified in W. Va. Code § 29B-1-1 et seq. This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including arrest documentation maintained by law enforcement agencies. The statute operates under the presumption that all government records are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law.

The West Virginia Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access arrest records, noting in Daily Gazette Co. v. Police Department of Charleston (1986) that "the public has a right to know who is being arrested and for what purpose." This transparency serves multiple public interests, including:

  • Ensuring accountability of law enforcement agencies
  • Allowing citizens to monitor the activities of government officials
  • Providing information about potential public safety concerns
  • Supporting journalistic and research endeavors related to criminal justice

Certain portions of arrest records may be redacted or restricted if they contain sensitive information such as juvenile records, ongoing investigation details, or information that would compromise public safety if released. These exemptions are narrowly construed in accordance with W. Va. Code § 29B-1-4.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Wood County?

Wood County arrest records are available through various online platforms, though the comprehensiveness of digital access varies by agency and record type. The West Virginia Judiciary maintains electronic databases that include certain arrest-related court documents. Additionally, the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation provides an online offender search system that includes information about individuals currently in custody.

The Wood County Sheriff's Office maintains limited arrest data on their official platforms, including recent booking information. However, pursuant to W. Va. Code § 29B-1-3, the completeness of online records is subject to the following limitations:

  • Records predating digital conversion may not be available online
  • Certain sensitive cases may be excluded from public online access
  • Technical limitations may affect the timeliness of updates
  • Some records may require in-person requests at the appropriate agency

Users seeking comprehensive arrest information should note that online records typically represent only a portion of the total records available. The Wood County Circuit Clerk's Office maintains the official court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings, some of which may be accessible through the Magistrate Case Record Search system.

How to Look Up Wood County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Wood County arrest records in 2025 may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. Pursuant to W. Va. Code § 29B-1-3(a), public bodies must make records available for inspection and copying during regular business hours. The following methods are available for accessing arrest records:

  • In-Person Requests at the Wood County Sheriff's Office
    Wood County Sheriff's Office
    401 2nd Street
    Parkersburg, WV 26101
    (304) 424-1834
    Official Website
    Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

  • Wood County Circuit Clerk's Office
    Wood County Courthouse
    1 Court Square
    Parkersburg, WV 26101
    (304) 424-1700
    Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

  • West Virginia State Police - Criminal Records Section
    725 Jefferson Road
    South Charleston, WV 25309
    (304) 746-2100
    Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

  • Online Resources
    The West Virginia Regional Jail Authority Inmate Search provides current custody information.
    The Magistrate Court Record Search offers case information for matters filed in magistrate courts.

Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search, including full name and, if possible, date of birth. Pursuant to W. Va. Code § 29B-1-3(5), agencies may charge reasonable fees for document reproduction and search time.

Contents of a Wood County Arrest Record

Wood County arrest records, maintained in accordance with W. Va. Code § 15-2-24, typically contain standardized information documenting the circumstances and details of an individual's arrest. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and generally include:

  • Biographical Information

    • Full legal name and any known aliases
    • Date of birth and age at time of arrest
    • Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
    • Residential address
    • Social security number (partially redacted in public copies)

  • Arrest Details

    • Date, time, and location of arrest
    • Arresting agency and officer identification
    • Statutory charges and citation numbers
    • Probable cause statement
    • Weapon involvement, if applicable
    • Property seized during arrest

  • Processing Information

    • Booking photograph (mugshot)
    • Fingerprint classification
    • Detention facility information
    • Bond amount and conditions, if applicable
    • Court appearance dates

  • Case Disposition

    • Preliminary hearing results
    • Charging decisions by prosecuting attorney
    • Court case numbers for related proceedings

The West Virginia Criminal Identification Bureau, operating under the authority of W. Va. Code § 15-2-24(d), maintains the central repository of arrest records for all counties, including Wood County. These records are subject to standardized formatting and retention schedules established by the West Virginia State Police.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Wood County

The expungement of arrest records in Wood County is governed by W. Va. Code § 61-11-25 and § 61-11-26, which provide mechanisms for the removal of certain arrest information from public access. Expungement serves to mitigate the collateral consequences of arrest records on employment, housing, and other opportunities.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Wood County include:

  • Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal
  • Arrests that did not lead to formal charges within the statutory timeframe
  • Certain non-violent misdemeanor convictions after prescribed waiting periods
  • First-time drug possession offenses successfully completed under deferred adjudication
  • Juvenile records upon reaching majority age, with exceptions for violent or sexual offenses

The expungement process requires petitioners to:

  1. File a petition with the Wood County Circuit Court where the case was adjudicated
  2. Provide certified documentation of case disposition
  3. Submit to a criminal background check through the West Virginia State Police
  4. Pay applicable filing fees (currently $200, with potential fee waiver for indigent applicants)
  5. Attend a hearing before the presiding judge, if scheduled

Upon granting of expungement, pursuant to W. Va. Code § 61-11-25(f), all records pertaining to the arrest, charge, or other matters arising out of the arrest or charge shall be expunged from the agencies' official records. The statute mandates that expunged records "shall not be public record and shall not be accessible by the public."

The Wood County Circuit Clerk's Office processes expungement petitions at: Wood County Judicial Building 2 Government Square Parkersburg, WV 26101 (304) 424-1700

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