>Ohio County Warrant Search Online

Ohio County, West Virginia Warrant Records

Are Warrants Public Record in Ohio County, West Virginia?

Warrants are considered public records in Ohio County, West Virginia, pursuant to the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act (W. Va. Code §29B-1-1 et seq.). This legislation establishes that government records shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statutory provision. The Act promotes governmental transparency and accountability by enabling citizens to access various categories of public records, including judicial warrants issued within the county jurisdiction.

In Ohio County, warrant records are maintained by the Ohio County Magistrate Court and the Ohio County Sheriff's Office. These records provide the public with information regarding individuals who are subject to legal action by law enforcement authorities. The maintenance of these records as public documents ensures that judicial processes remain transparent and that individuals may be properly informed about legal proceedings that may affect their rights or obligations under law.

Access to warrant information is governed by West Virginia Code §29B-1-3, which provides that "every person has a right to inspect or copy any public record of a public body in this state, except as otherwise expressly provided by law." This statutory provision underscores the presumption of openness that applies to warrant records in Ohio County.

What Is Contents in Warrant Records in Ohio County?

Warrant records maintained by the Ohio County Magistrate Court typically contain the following information:

The full legal name of the subject individual, including middle name or initial when available
Date of birth and other identifying information of the named individual
The classification of warrant issued (arrest warrant, bench warrant, search warrant)
The date of issuance and, where applicable, expiration date
The judicial authority or court that issued the warrant
The specific criminal offense or civil matter precipitating the warrant
Case number or docket information for reference purposes
The law enforcement agency tasked with executing the warrant
Bail or bond amount, if predetermined by the issuing authority

Pursuant to West Virginia Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rule 4(c)(1), arrest warrants must "contain the name of the defendant or, if the defendant's name is unknown, any name or description by which the defendant can be identified with reasonable certainty."

How to Check For Warrants in Ohio County For Free

Members of the public seeking to determine the existence of warrants in Ohio County may utilize several no-cost methods. The following options are available for conducting warrant searches without financial expense:

In-person visitation to the Ohio County Courthouse located at 1500 Chapline Street, Wheeling, WV 26003, during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM)
Direct inquiry with the Ohio County Sheriff's Office at 51 16th Street, Wheeling, WV 26003; telephone: (304) 234-3680
Utilization of public access computer terminals available at the Ohio County Public Library, 52 16th Street, Wheeling, WV 26003
Consultation of the Magistrate Court Record Search portal maintained by the West Virginia Judiciary

Individuals conducting warrant searches should be prepared to provide identifying information such as full legal name and date of birth to facilitate accurate record retrieval.

Ohio County Sheriff Warrants

Sheriff warrants in Ohio County constitute legal instruments issued by judicial authorities that empower the Sheriff's Office to undertake specific enforcement actions. These documents are executed pursuant to West Virginia Code §62-1-5, which provides that "the warrant shall be executed by the arrest of the defendant."

The Ohio County Sheriff's Office, as the primary law enforcement agency for the county, maintains responsibility for the execution of various types of warrants, including:

Arrest warrants for criminal offenses
Bench warrants for failure to appear in court
Civil warrants related to property seizure or eviction
Search warrants authorizing examination of specified premises

The Sheriff's Office maintains a dedicated warrants division that coordinates the service of these legal documents. Deputies assigned to this division work in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies to locate individuals named in outstanding warrants.

Ohio County Sheriff's Office
51 16th Street
Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 234-3680
Official Website

How to Know If You Have a Warrant in Ohio County in 2025

Individuals seeking to determine whether warrants have been issued in their name in Ohio County may employ several verification methods. As of 2025, the following procedures are available for warrant status confirmation:

Direct visitation to the Ohio County Courthouse at 1500 Chapline Street, Wheeling, WV 26003, where the Clerk of Court's Office maintains warrant records
Telephone inquiry to the Ohio County Sheriff's Office at (304) 234-3680 during standard business hours
Consultation with the West Virginia Regional Jail & Correctional Facility Authority's Offender Search system, which may indicate active warrants for individuals who have been processed
Written correspondence addressed to the Ohio County Magistrate Court, 1500 Chapline Street, Wheeling, WV 26003, requesting warrant status verification

Pursuant to West Virginia Code §62-1-5(a)(4), individuals named in warrants have the right to be informed of "the offense charged" upon execution of the warrant. However, proactive verification of warrant status is advisable to avoid unexpected law enforcement encounters.

How to Check For Outstanding Warrants in Ohio County

The verification of outstanding warrants in Ohio County may be accomplished through several official channels. Members of the public seeking this information should be aware of the following resources:

The Ohio County Magistrate Court maintains comprehensive records of all warrants issued within its jurisdiction. Individuals may visit the court at 1500 Chapline Street, Wheeling, WV 26003, to request warrant information.
The Ohio County Sheriff's Office provides warrant verification services at their headquarters, 51 16th Street, Wheeling, WV 26003. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
The West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation maintains an online offender search system that may indicate active warrants.
The Circuit Clerk's Office, located at the Ohio County Courthouse, maintains records of warrants issued in felony cases and may be contacted at (304) 234-3611.

When conducting warrant searches, requestors should provide accurate identifying information to ensure precise results. Under West Virginia Code §62-1-2, warrants must "state the offense charged" and contain sufficient information to identify the named individual with reasonable certainty.