Criminal records in Monongalia County, West Virginia, are accessible through several channels. MonongaliaCourt.us allows quick access to public information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, official state court portals, the county sheriff's office, and the court clerk's office provide access to case materials, charge information, and case outcomes. Below is a practical guide to searching, understanding, and obtaining criminal records in this county.
How to Search Criminal Records in Monongalia
To search for criminal records, you need at least one of the following:
- Full name (first and last name)
- Date of birth
- Case number
Online Search
- MonongaliaCourt.us — enter a name or case number to view publicly available information about criminal cases in Monongalia County.
- Magistrate Court Case Search — a free system from the West Virginia Supreme Court. Anyone can enter a name or case number to see data on misdemeanors and other magistrate court cases in the county.
- Court Record Access Portal — here you can search circuit court records from all 55 counties in the state, as well as magistrate court cases.
- Offender Search — the West Virginia Division of Corrections maintains an inmate database. You can also view the daily inmate list by county or facility.
- Most Wanted List — the Monongalia County Sheriff's Office publishes a list of individuals with active arrest warrants.
In-Person Request
The Circuit Clerk's Office in Morgantown welcomes visitors who wish to view criminal cases. Public access terminals are usually available in the courthouse. Monongalia County is part of the Twenty-First Judicial Circuit.
For misdemeanor cases, contact the county magistrate court at (304) 291-7296, as noted on the county prosecutor's page.
Written Request
You can send a written request to the Circuit Clerk's Office by mail. Include the full name of the person, date of birth (if known), and case number. Add a copy of your ID and payment according to the fees. To obtain an official state-level criminal history, the request is sent to the West Virginia State Police — Criminal Identification Bureau.
Search Monongalia Criminal Cases by Case Number
Case numbers in West Virginia have a standard format that depends on the type of court.
For magistrate court, the number typically looks like this:
- 31-M24M-00123 — where 31 is the Monongalia County code, M is the magistrate court, 24 is the filing year, M is the case type (Misdemeanor), and 00123 is the sequential number.
For circuit court, the format is different. Typical case type designations:
- F — Felony
- M — Misdemeanor
- MI — Misdemeanor (alternative designation in magistrate court)
With the full case number, enter it into the magistrate court search system or the circuit court portal. This is the fastest way to find a specific case — the result is displayed immediately, without the need to filter by name.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Monongalia
Charges
| Element | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific section of the West Virginia Code under which the charge is brought |
| Severity | Felony, Misdemeanor, or Infraction |
| Amended Charge | The prosecutor may change the charge during the case — the new charge replaces the initial one |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, awaiting review
- Active — the case is in active proceedings
- Disposed — the court has made a decision; the case is concluded
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed, the case is closed permanently
Types of Hearings
A case in Monongalia County may go through several stages:
- Arraignment — the defendant's first appearance before a judge, charges are announced
- Preliminary Hearing — a preliminary hearing to determine the sufficiency of evidence (usually in felony cases)
- Pre-Trial — a pre-trial hearing where parties discuss procedural issues
- Sentencing — sentencing after a plea or conviction
- Review — review of probation conditions or sentence execution
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Found not guilty after trial |
| Dismissed | The case is closed without a verdict |
| Acquitted | Acquitted — the court found no guilt |
| No Contest (Nolo Contendere) | The defendant does not contest the charge but does not formally admit guilt |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Monongalia
Certified copies of criminal records are official documents with the court's seal, accepted by employers, licensing agencies, and other institutions.
Where to Apply
Circuit Clerk's Office issues certified copies of judgments, indictments, and other criminal case documents.
Monongalia County Magistrate Court maintains misdemeanor records. To obtain copies of specific records, call or visit the magistrate court office in the county where the case was filed.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the office with identification (state ID or driver's license). Provide the person's name and case number.
- By Mail — send a written request with the full name, case number, a copy of ID, and payment (check or money order payable to Circuit Clerk).
To obtain a complete state-level criminal history, contact the West Virginia State Police — Criminal Identification Bureau. Such a request usually requires fingerprinting.
Public records for the city of Morgantown can also be requested through the FOIA request procedure.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Monongalia
Fees are set according to West Virginia law. Below are typical charges levied by the Monongalia County court clerk's office.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.50 |
| Document certification | $0.50 – $1.00 per document (in addition to the copy cost) |
| Criminal history check through WV State Police | $25.00 |
Processing Time
- In-Person Requests — copies of simple documents are often issued the same day if the case is available electronically.
- Mail Requests — usually processed within 5–10 business days after receipt.
- Criminal history check through State Police — may take 2 to 4 weeks, especially if fingerprints are required.
Older cases, stored only in paper form, may require more time. Check processing times directly with the Circuit Clerk's Office at (304) 291-7238.