West Virginia Warrant Search

Run a West Virginia Warrant Search Online 

West Virginia, the 39th smallest state by population, has more than its fair share of warrants issued each year. There are 3 common types of warrants issued in the state, arrest warrants, bench warrants, and capias warrants. These are all public record which means that anyone can view them online. A simple way to run an anonymous West Virginia warrant search is through a public record website All you will need is the first and last name of the person you want to research. One of the benefits of using a public record website is you can search statewide, and also learn about that person’s criminal past, court records and complete public record.

What is a West Virginia Warrant? 

West Virginia arrest warrants and bench warrants are an important part of the state’s criminal justice system. Warrants are legal documents that represent a request for a person to appear in court in front of the issuing West Virginia judge. These can often result in arrest, detainment, and incarceration if found guilty. Typically related to search, seizure, and arrest. Understanding the different types of warrants in West Virginia, how to look them up, and what steps one should take upon receiving one is pivotal to effectively navigate the state’s legal system. 

Types of Warrants in West Virginia 

West Virginia Arrest Warrants: These are always issued by a judge or a magistrate, for a suspected person allegedly committed a crime. These are only issued when there is strong evidence of a crime and often require an affidavit from law enforcement. These types of warrants result in a person’s arrest and detainment until they can go in front of a judge or trial. 

West Virginia Bench Warrants: These are typically only issued when someone misses jury duty, a hearing, or a court appearance, but rarely results in an arrest. The only exception is a capias bench warrant and that are offenses where someone is arrested and taken into custody. Other bench warrants mostly result in a person being required to appear back in court. 

West Virginia Capias Warrants: Capias warrants are bench warrants where someone is arrested and taken into custody. This type of arrest warrant is not issued based on suspicion of a crime, it is a result of non-compliance with court procedures or court orders. 

Researching West Virginia Arrest Warrants Through The Sheriff Department

Often times a West Virginia sheriff department will execute a West Virginia arrest warrant, within their jurisdiction, and can be a good resource for looking up warrant information in the state. Here are some simple steps on how to go about running a West Virginia sheriff department warrant search:

• Identify the County Where the WV Arrest Warrant Was Issued: West Virginia is divided into 55 counties, each with its own Sheriff’s Department. Warrants are typically issued at a county level, so you first find out which county’s Sheriff’s Department to contact. This would be the county where the alleged crime was committed or where the person lives. 
• Contact the Sheriff’s Department: Once you know the relevant county, you can reach out to the Sheriff’s Department. This can be done by phone, in person, or through their web portal, if available. Some departments may have an online database for searching warrants. 
• Request Warrant Information: When you contact the WV Sheriff’s Department, you can request information on a specific individual. Keep in mind that you might need to provide some identifying information, such as the full name of the person you are searching, their date of birth, or address. 

Keep in mind that while the Sheriff’s Department can provide warrant information, however, they do not provide legal advice. If you are the person listed in the arrest warrant in West Virginia, you may want to contact an attorney and have them assist you with this process. You may be arrested on the spot if you just show up to a Sheriff Department in person. 

What to Do If You Are Issued a West Virginia Arrest Warrant 

If you find out that a warrant has been issued for your arrest in West Virginia, addressing it head on is often the best way to avoid your situation getting worse. There are some steps to follow that can help guide you through the process of dealing with a West Virginia arrest warrant. 

• Run a West Virginia arrest warrant search through a public record website, which is anonymous, to find out the details of your warrant, the charges and what county it was issued in. Doing your homework is a good first step. 
• Seek Legal Advice: Consulting with a criminal defense attorney is the next step. Even if you don’t use an attorney for your court hearing, you can hire one on retainer to help guide you through what is happening, your rights, and what you should do.  
• Surrender Yourself: While it might not be what you want to do, turning yourself in can potentially work in your favor, showing the court that you’re taking the charges seriously and not evading law enforcement. You can have an attorney help you as well with this process, it can be helpful to have legal representation while you are doing this. 
• Prepare Your Court Case: You are likely to need to stand in front of a judge or jury to plead your case. If the charges are serious then you may want to have an attorney help you out with this process. You can always enlist the services of a public defender if you cannot afford an attorney. This process includes arraignment, bail hearing, and potentially a trial. 

If you are uncertain if you have a warrant for your arrest, have missed jury duty, or have violated probation or parole, you may want to run a background check on yourself to find out for sure. You can run a criminal background check on yourself with a public record website, and do it anonymously. This is a good way to verify your criminal history and find out if you have any active warrants or any pending issues with your criminal record.

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