Jackson County Arrest Records

Jackson County arrest records provide information about police arrests and incarcerations in Jackson County. They are created when people are apprehended for criminal offenses and booked into custody or holding. They contain information about the arrested, including their names, dates of birth, arrest dates and locations, etc.

People get arrested in Jackson County for these reasons:

• When law enforcement has probable cause to believe they’ve committed a felony or misdemeanor (W.Va. Code § 62-1-5)
• When there’s an arrest warrant against them (W.Va. Code § 62-1-2) and
• For violations like probation breaches, failure to appear, or contempt of court.

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office is the custodian of the county’s arrest records. The Office creates and maintains these records as part of its official duties. Local police departments, such as the Ripley Police Department, also contribute to these records with arrests within their jurisdiction.

Jackson County arrest records can be part of Jackson County court records, even though they are independent law enforcement records, especially for arrest cases that made it to trial.

Are Arrest Records Public in Jackson County?

Yes. Arrest records are public in Jackson County under the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act (West Virginia Code § 29B-1-1 et seq.). Under this law, all citizens can inspect or copy arrest records, except those restricted by law or court order.

Having said that, not all arrest records are public. Certain arrest information or records are exempt or restricted from public disclosure for different reasons, including privacy, witness safety, and integrity of ongoing police investigations. Examples of these include:

• Juvenile arrest records
• Confidential informant and witness details
• Personal private information whose disclosure will constitute an invasion of privacy, including SSNs and banking details
• Arrest records or information related to ongoing investigations
• Sealed or expunged records

If a record contains public and exempt information, the confidential or exempt portions will be redacted before the release.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public Jackson County arrest records contain the following information:

• The personal information of the arrested person (including their full name, aliases, age, and date of birth)
• The physical description of the arrestee (height, weight, race, tattoos, scars)
• The booking photograph (mugshot)
• The date, time, and location of the arrest
• The arresting agency
• The alleged offense or specific charges filed against the arrestee
• Booking information, including date, time, and number
• Incarceration status (whether in custody or released)
• Bail/bond details (if applicable)

Jackson County Arrest Statistics

According to the FBI's Crime Data Explorer, Jackson County recorded 309 arrests in 2023. The most common crimes were aggravated assault, accounting for 20% of the arrests, followed by all other offenses at 19%, DUI at 11%, drug possession at 8%, simple assault at 4%, burglary at 3%, etc.

Find Jackson County Arrest Records

Interested persons who want to find Jackson County arrest records may contact the Jackson County Sheriff's Office in person (Monday through Friday, during business hours), by phone, mail, or fax:

Jackson County Sheriff's Office
100 South Maple Street
Ripley, WV 25271
Phone: (304) 373-2280
Fax: (304) 372-5259
Email: tony.boggs@jacksoncountywv.com.

Alternatively, individuals may find a Jackson County arrest record from the West Virginia State Police through an official criminal history check. To do this, submit a request to the WVSP via their Criminal Identification Bureau (CIB). Additionally, they can use the West Virginia Division of Corrections' "Daily Incarceration" to find information on individuals incarcerated in Jackson County. Select Jackson County from the county dropdown and review the daily inmate roster.

Free Arrest Record Search in Jackson County

Individuals may contact the Jackson County Sheriff's Office to conduct free arrest record searches. Local police departments may also allow requesters view arrest records in their custody at no cost. Alternatively, inquirers may use third-party websites to search these records online. However, third-party aggregate sites typically restrict comprehensive information to paying customers, and the accuracy/validity of the information they provide may not be guaranteed.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Indefinitely. West Virginia does not have a retention schedule that allows arrests to be removed or erased from a person’s record after a certain period. As a result, Jackson County arrests remain on the arrestee’s record indefinitely unless a petition is filed to expunge or seal them. However, expunction or sealing is only for eligible arrest records as outlined in West Virginia Code § 61-11-26.

Expunge Jackson County Arrest Records

Expungement of criminal records (including arrests) in West Virginia is governed by the West Virginia Code § 61-11-26. This code sets forth the eligibility criteria to expunge, seal, or remove arrest records in the state, including Jackson County.

Per the code, to be eligible for expungement, the arrested individual should have completed the necessary sentence, paid restitution, and satisfied the required waiting period for their charge. The waiting periods are 60 days for dismissed or acquitted charges, 1 year for misdemeanor convictions (2 years for multiple misdemeanors), and 5 years for non-violent felony convictions.

The process to expunge Jackson County arrest records is as follows:

• Identify the arrest(s) eligible for expungement or removal
• Complete the applicable expungement motion form
• File the petition with supporting documents with the Jackson County court where the charge was filed (i.e., Jackson County Circuit Court). Pay filing and processing fees as required. Apply for a fee waiver if unable to pay
• Attend a hearing if one is scheduled
• The court orders an expunction if the petition is granted and the relevant arrest records are erased, removed, or sealed by the custodians (e.g., the arresting agency and the West Virginia State Police).

Jackson County Arrest Warrants

A Jackson County arrest warrant is a legal document that gives law enforcement the authority to arrest an individual. Per Rule 4 of the West Virginia Rules of Criminal Procedure, an arrest warrant is issued based on probable cause. Police officers present sworn complaints or affidavits to magistrates or judges to establish probable cause. Probable cause is established when enough evidence shows a crime has been committed.

Apart from criminal offenses, arrest warrants may be issued for a person's failure to show up in court, violating parole or probation conditions, or failing to pay child support.

Jackson County arrest warrants will typically contain:

• The name of the accused or defendant (or a description if the name is not known)
• A description of the alleged offense,
• The signature of the issuing magistrate or judge,
• The order for the accused’s arrest (and subsequent action).

Under West Virginia law, police officers ordered to execute arrest warrants do not need to have the physical warrant on their person during the arrest. However, they must inform the individual of the offense and the warrant’s existence.

Do Jackson County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Jackson County arrest warrants do not expire; they remain active until the individual named on the warrant is apprehended by law enforcement, voluntarily surrenders, or dies. However, while a Jackson County arrest warrant has no expiration date, certain factors can affect its validity. For example, a warrant becomes invalid if a judge cancels or recalls it. Also, a warrant can become invalid if the statute of limitations for the alleged offense has expired.