Warrant records are public documents in Berkeley County, West Virginia, pursuant to the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act (W. Va. Code § 29B-1-1 et seq.). This statute establishes that government records, including warrants, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Berkeley County Circuit Clerk's Office maintains these records in accordance with state regulations governing public access to judicial documents.
Members of the public may access warrant information through designated channels established by the Berkeley County judicial system. This transparency serves multiple public interests, including:
Certain warrant information may be temporarily sealed by judicial order, particularly in cases where premature disclosure might compromise an ongoing investigation or endanger individuals. Such restrictions are governed by W. Va. Code § 29B-1-4, which outlines specific exemptions to public disclosure requirements.
Warrant records maintained by Berkeley County authorities typically contain standardized information as prescribed by West Virginia Rules of Criminal Procedure. Standard warrant documents include:
The Berkeley County Magistrate Court, located at 380 West South Street, Martinsburg, WV 25401, processes and maintains these records in accordance with West Virginia Court Administrative Rules. Warrant information is entered into the state's unified court management system as mandated by W. Va. Code § 50-3-8.
Berkeley County residents may verify warrant status through several no-cost methods established under West Virginia public records statutes. The following official channels provide free warrant verification services:
Berkeley County Magistrate Court
380 West South Street
Martinsburg, WV 25401
(304) 264-1962
West Virginia Judiciary
Berkeley County Sheriff's Office
510 South Raleigh Street
Martinsburg, WV 25401
(304) 267-7000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Individuals seeking warrant information must provide proper identification when making in-person inquiries. The Magistrate Case Record Search system also offers limited online access to public case information, though users should note that this system may not display all active warrants, particularly those recently issued or under seal.
Pursuant to W. Va. Code § 50-3-2a, requestors may be required to complete a standard information request form when seeking warrant verification through official channels.
The Berkeley County Sheriff's Office executes warrants issued by judicial authorities within the county pursuant to W. Va. Code § 62-1-5. These legal instruments authorize law enforcement to take specific actions, including:
Sheriff's warrants in Berkeley County are categorized according to their purpose and underlying cause. Common warrant types include:
The Sheriff's Civil Process Division, operating from 510 South Raleigh Street, Martinsburg, WV 25401, maintains records of warrant service attempts and completions. This information becomes part of the official court record and is transmitted to the appropriate judicial authority as required by W. Va. Code § 62-1-5(a)(4).
Berkeley County has implemented updated procedures for warrant verification effective January 2025, in accordance with West Virginia Supreme Court Administrative Order 2024-03. Individuals seeking to determine warrant status may utilize the following official methods:
Berkeley County Circuit Clerk's Office
380 West South Street, Room 101
Martinsburg, WV 25401
(304) 264-1918
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Online Verification Portal
The West Virginia Judiciary maintains an enhanced public access portal where basic warrant information may be verified using name and date of birth. This system complies with security protocols established under W. Va. Code § 51-4-3.
Legal Representation Inquiry
Licensed attorneys may submit formal inquiries on behalf of clients through the court's electronic filing system, as authorized by West Virginia Trial Court Rule 15.03.
Individuals should be prepared to provide government-issued identification when making in-person inquiries. Remote verification requests may require additional identity verification steps in compliance with W. Va. Code § 51-4-8, which governs remote access to court records.
Berkeley County maintains multiple channels through which individuals may verify outstanding warrant status in accordance with W. Va. Code § 51-4-2. The verification process typically requires basic identifying information and follows established protocols:
In-Person Verification
The Berkeley County Magistrate Clerk's Office provides direct warrant verification services during regular business hours at 380 West South Street, Martinsburg, WV 25401. Requestors must present valid identification and may be asked to complete a standard information request form.
Telephone Verification
Limited warrant information may be obtained by calling the Berkeley County Magistrate Court at (304) 264-1962. Staff may require callers to provide specific identifying information to process these requests in accordance with W. Va. Code § 50-3-2c.
Legal Counsel Verification
The Berkeley County Public Defender's Office, located at 301 West Burke Street, Martinsburg, WV 25401, can assist eligible individuals in determining warrant status through official channels. This service is provided pursuant to W. Va. Code § 29-21-13a.
Individuals should note that outstanding warrants may be subject to immediate execution upon in-person contact with law enforcement, as authorized by W. Va. Code § 62-1-5(a)(1).
Berkeley County warrant records are maintained within the West Virginia unified court system and may be accessed through established channels in accordance with W. Va. Code § 51-4-2. The Magistrate Record Search system provides a starting point for many inquiries, though comprehensive verification may require direct contact with court officials.
The Berkeley County Bureau of Child Support Enforcement (BCSE), operating under the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, maintains separate records related to child support warrants. Their office is located at 433 Mid Atlantic Parkway, Martinsburg, WV 25404, and can be reached at (304) 267-0100. Additional information is available through the BCSE website.
Individuals seeking certified copies of warrant documentation may submit requests to the Berkeley County Circuit Clerk's Office. Standard fees apply for document reproduction in accordance with W. Va. Code § 59-1-11, which establishes the fee schedule for court documents.