Warrant records are public documents in Summers County, West Virginia, pursuant to the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act (W. Va. Code § 29B-1-1 et seq.). This legislation establishes that governmental records, including warrants, are accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The West Virginia Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access judicial records as fundamental to maintaining transparency in the judicial system.
Summers County warrant records are maintained as public documents because they constitute official court proceedings. These records serve multiple public interests, including:
The Summers County Circuit Court maintains these records in accordance with West Virginia Code § 51-4-3, which mandates proper recordkeeping for all court proceedings. While certain sensitive information may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws, the fundamental details of warrants remain accessible to the public.
Warrant records in Summers County typically contain comprehensive information as prescribed by West Virginia Rules of Criminal Procedure. Standard elements included in these documents are:
Pursuant to West Virginia Code § 62-1A-4, warrant records must contain sufficient particularity regarding the alleged offense and the individual named. This requirement ensures proper identification and legal validity of the warrant.
Members of the public may verify warrant status in Summers County through several no-cost methods established under West Virginia public records laws. The following options are available:
Visit the Summers County Magistrate Court in person to request a warrant search Summers County Magistrate Court 120 Ballengee Street Hinton, WV 25951 (304) 466-7110 Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Contact the Summers County Sheriff's Office directly for warrant verification Summers County Sheriff's Office 123 Temple Street Hinton, WV 25951 (304) 466-7111
Access the West Virginia Judiciary Magistrate Record Search system for basic case information
Utilize public access terminals located at the Summers County Courthouse Summers County Courthouse 120 Ballengee Street Hinton, WV 25951 (304) 466-7104 Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Pursuant to West Virginia Code § 29B-1-3, government agencies must respond to public records requests within five business days. Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information to facilitate accurate searches.
The Summers County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants within county jurisdiction. Sheriff warrants in Summers County are classified according to their purpose and legal authority:
Sheriff warrants must be executed in accordance with West Virginia Code § 62-1-5, which establishes procedures for proper service. The Sheriff's Office maintains a dedicated warrants division that coordinates with other jurisdictions when subjects are located outside Summers County.
Active warrants remain in effect until executed, recalled by the court, or the subject is deceased. The Sheriff's Office prioritizes warrant service based on severity of the alleged offense and public safety considerations.
Individuals seeking to determine warrant status in Summers County in 2025 may utilize several verification methods established by West Virginia judicial administration. The following procedures are available:
Submit a formal records request to the Summers County Circuit Clerk Circuit Clerk's Office 120 Ballengee Street, Room 200 Hinton, WV 25951 (304) 466-7104
Verify status through the West Virginia Regional Jail Authority inmate search if detention has occurred
Consult the Summers County Magistrate Court records department Magistrate Court 120 Ballengee Street Hinton, WV 25951 (304) 466-7110
Engage legal counsel to conduct a confidential warrant search on your behalf
Pursuant to West Virginia Code § 51-4-2, court clerks are required to maintain accurate records of all judicial proceedings, including warrants. Individuals should be prepared to provide proper identification when requesting personal warrant information to ensure accuracy of results.
Verification of outstanding warrants in Summers County follows established protocols under West Virginia judicial administration guidelines. The following methods are available for conducting comprehensive warrant searches:
Submit a written request to the Summers County Sheriff's Office Records Division Sheriff's Office Records Division 123 Temple Street Hinton, WV 25951 (304) 466-7111
Utilize the public access computer terminals at the Summers County Courthouse Summers County Courthouse 120 Ballengee Street Hinton, WV 25951
Request a criminal background check through the West Virginia State Police West Virginia State Police 725 Jefferson Road South Charleston, WV 25309 (304) 746-2100
Contact the Summers County Prosecuting Attorney's Office for case status information Prosecuting Attorney's Office 120 Ballengee Street Hinton, WV 25951 (304) 466-7110
Pursuant to West Virginia Code § 15-2-24(d), law enforcement agencies are authorized to maintain and share warrant information for legitimate public safety purposes. Individuals conducting searches should be aware that certain administrative fees may apply for certified copies of records.