Wyoming County Arrest Records

Wyoming County arrest records are official documents generated when a law enforcement officer takes an individual into custody and subsequently documents key information about the event. When an individual is arrested for a crime in Wyoming County, they are typically booked into the nearest police station or jail.

The primary law enforcement agency is the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office. Other collaborating municipal law enforcement agencies include the Pineville Police Department, the Oceana Police Department, and the Mullens Police Department. Following an arrest, a booking process ensues, during which the arrestee's personal data, fingerprints, and other information are taken and used to prepare arrest records.

Prosecutors often rely on arrest records when deciding whether and how to press charges against suspects. Also, to prepare an effective defense for their clients, defense attorneys review and analyze arrest records. They form the core component of the early case file and often shape defense strategy from the outset. Additionally, members of the public use arrest records to locate their loved ones.

To obtain arrest records in Wyoming County, interested parties typically need to contact the local law enforcement agency that made the arrest. Additionally, information from an arrest record is typically part of, and can be reflected in, broader criminal justice records, such as Wyoming County court records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Wyoming County?

Yes. Under the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act, the public may view or reproduce arrest records of adult offenders. The law mandates public record custodians to disseminate non-confidential information to requesting parties. However, this access is not without restrictions. Certain records or parts of information in a record may be redacted or restricted from public view. Notwithstanding, the judicial council, law enforcement agencies, and other entities with a court order may access restricted arrest records.

Examples of confidential records include:

• Records related to ongoing criminal investigations
• Records associated with terrorist investigations
• Juvenile arrest records
• Sealed records
• Medical records
• Personal identifying information such as Social Security Number, driver's license, state ID, and passport number
• Personal information of victims, witnesses, or confidential informants

For inquiries about arrest records, record seekers may contact the office of the Wyoming County sheriff at:

West Virginia County Sheriff's Office
911 Cedar Street,
Pineville, WV 24874
Phone: (304) 732-8000

Wyoming County Arrest Statistics

According to data from the FBI Crime Data Explorer, in 2024, 515 arrests were recorded in Wyoming County. Aggravated assault was the common offense accounting for 103 arrests. There were 57 arrests for driving under the influence (DUI), representing 11.1%, and 41 arrests for drug possession offenses, representing 8% of the total.

Find Wyoming County Arrest Records

Anyone seeking Wyoming County arrest records should first determine the location of the arrest and the arresting agency. In addition to the law enforcement efforts of the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office, municipal police departments conduct arrests within their jurisdictions.

For arrests made by local law enforcement agencies, interested parties may approach the arresting department directly. Requesters must provide a written request containing the arrestee's name and date of birth. In addition, the West Virginia Regional Jail & Correctional Facility Authority provides a portal to look up individuals arrested by agencies within Wyoming County.

When an individual is arrested by a state agency, the arrestee is generally held at a regional jail pending court proceedings before being transferred to a state or federal corrections facility. Interested parties seeking such records may locate them at the Southern Regional Jail and Correctional Facility (SRJCF) operated by the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (WVDCR).

Also, record seekers may use the Daily Incarcerations Portal provided by the West Virginia Regional Jails to find offenders from Wyoming County. For Federal detainees, federal law enforcement agencies maintain their records separately. Record seekers may use the federal inmate locator managed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons to search for inmates in federal custody. They may search with the arrestee's name or register number.

Wyoming County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Wyoming County arrest and criminal records not only show important information about an individual's criminal past but are also useful for tracking offenders and determining the severity of the sentence imposed during the court hearing. The documents complement each other, but they are not the same.

An arrest record is a law enforcement document detailing the facts and circumstances surrounding an arrest. A criminal record goes a step further to include the charges filed against the arrestee, the case disposition, and the sentence given by the court. It may also contain information about probation/parole and other alternative sentencing measures applied.

Criminal records are more authoritative and comprehensive. Because they show whether the individual was found guilty or not, they have greater legal and societal implications.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Generally, arrests remain indefinitely on a person's record. However, arrest records for a case that did not result in a conviction may be expunged from the public record. Not all arrests may be expunged. To determine eligibility for an expungement in Wyoming County, some factors are considered. This includes the severity of the case, the length of time that has passed since the event, and the final case disposition.

Wyoming County Arrest Warrants

In line with the provisions of W. Va. Code §62-1-2, a judge may issue an arrest warrant after a law enforcement officer submits a complaint or affidavit showing probable cause that an individual committed a crime. The warrant is an order for law enforcement to apprehend the suspect and bring them before the court to answer the charges.

Wyoming County arrest warrants typically contain the following:

• The suspect's name and physical description
• The charges against them and the statutes violated
• The reason for issuing the warrant
• The date of issuance
• The arresting agency
• An instruction to law enforcement to apprehend the suspect and recommendations on how to execute the warrant
• The signature of the issuing judge

Do Wyoming County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Wyoming County arrest warrants do not expire. Once duly issued by a judge or magistrate, they remain effective until the individual named on the warrant is arrested, voluntarily surrenders, or dies.

Nonetheless, under some conditions, enforcing a warrant may not be feasible. For instance, prosecution of the underlying offense may be barred if the statute of limitations has elapsed. Over time, if the circumstances surrounding the warrant change, it may become less actively pursued. Also, the judge may recall the warrant based on subsequent developments in the case.

Expunge Wyoming County Arrest Records

Expungement is the legal process that allows certain records to be sealed or removed from public access. When expunged, the records are no longer visible in most background checks, and the individual may legally state that the matter did not occur.

Under West Virginia Code § 61-11-25, the following records may be expunged:

• Non-conviction records, such as:
  • Charges that were dismissed
  • Charges resulting in acquittal
  • Charges that were not prosecuted
• Certain misdemeanor convictions for which the statutory eligibility requirements have been met
• Certain non-violent felony convictions in limited cases after the expiration of the 5-year waiting period.

However, courts and law enforcement agencies still have access to expunged records. Also, the relief of expungement is not available for violent crimes, sex offenses, and serious felonies.