Criminal records in Harrison County, West Virginia, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. HarrisonWVCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. The West Virginia Judiciary maintains statewide court record search tools, while the Harrison County Circuit Clerk and Magistrate Court handle local case records. The county's law enforcement agencies and the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation offer additional search options for incarceration and offender records.
How to Search Criminal Records in Harrison
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Harrison County. The method you choose depends on what information you already have and whether you need official or informal results.
Online Search Options
- HarrisonWVCourt.us — Start here to search for publicly available criminal court case information in Harrison County.
- West Virginia Court Record Access — The West Virginia Judiciary provides a statewide circuit court records search covering all 55 counties, including Harrison County (the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit).
- Magistrate Case Record Search — Search misdemeanor criminal cases and other matters filed in Harrison County Magistrate Court. You need at least a partial name to begin.
- WV Division of Corrections Offender Search — Look up offenders under active supervision, in prison, or on parole with the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
- Regional Jail Inmate Search — Search current inmates held in West Virginia regional jails, including the North Central Regional Jail that serves Harrison County. Enter at least the first three letters of the person's last name.
In Person
Visit the Harrison County Circuit Clerk's office at the Harrison County Courthouse in Clarksburg. Public access terminals or assistance from the clerk's staff may be available for searching case records. For magistrate-level cases, contact the Harrison County Magistrate Court directly.
By Mail or Written Request
Submit a written request to the Harrison County Circuit Clerk for copies of criminal case records. For a formal state criminal history report, contact the West Virginia State Police Criminal Identification Bureau, which serves as the state's criminal history repository. Include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and any known case numbers with your request.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name of the individual (first and last name at minimum)
- Date of birth (helpful but not always required for online tools)
- Case number (if known — speeds up the search significantly)
- County where the case was filed
Search Harrison Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. West Virginia uses a standardized case number format across its circuit and magistrate courts.
A typical circuit court case number follows this pattern:
- Year — The two-digit year the case was filed (e.g., 24 for 2024)
- Case type prefix — A letter code indicating the type of case. For criminal matters, common prefixes include "F" for felony and "M" for misdemeanor at the circuit level
- Sequential number — A number assigned in the order the case was filed that year
For example, a case number like 24-F-100 would indicate a felony case filed in 2024, the 100th felony filing that year. Magistrate court cases use a similar structure with their own prefix codes.
Enter the full case number into the relevant search tool — the statewide circuit court records search for circuit-level cases or the magistrate case record search for magistrate-level cases. This returns the specific case without needing to sort through name-based results.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Harrison
Criminal case records in Harrison County contain several categories of information. Here is what each data point means.
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The West Virginia Code section the defendant is charged under (e.g., WV Code §61-2-9 for robbery) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction — determines which court handles the case |
| Amended charges | The original charge may be reduced or modified through plea negotiations or court rulings |
| Count number | Multiple charges in a single case are listed as separate counts |
Case Status
- Pending — The case is open and awaiting further court action
- Active — Proceedings are underway (hearings scheduled, motions pending)
- Disposed — The case has reached a final resolution (conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
- Closed — All court obligations, including sentencing terms, have been completed
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — The defendant is formally read the charges and enters an initial plea
- Preliminary hearing — A magistrate determines whether probable cause exists to send the case to circuit court
- Pre-trial — Attorneys address motions, evidence, and potential plea agreements
- Sentencing — The judge imposes penalties after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review hearing — Follow-up to monitor compliance with probation or other court orders
Court Results
- Guilty — Convicted by plea or trial verdict
- Not guilty — Acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the prosecutor or court
- Nolle prosequi — The state declines to prosecute
- Acquitted — Found not responsible after trial
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Harrison
Certified copies of criminal case records carry an official court seal and are accepted for legal proceedings, employment verification, and background checks. The Harrison County Circuit Clerk's office handles these requests for circuit court cases.
How to Submit a Request
- In person — Visit the Circuit Clerk's office at the Harrison County Courthouse in Clarksburg. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail — Send a written request specifying the case number, defendant's name, and the documents needed. Include a check or money order for the applicable fees payable to the Harrison County Circuit Clerk.
Harrison County Circuit Clerk
For magistrate court records, contact the Harrison County Magistrate Court clerk directly. The West Virginia Judiciary magistrate records page advises users to call or visit the magistrate court clerk in the county where the case was filed.
State Criminal History Records
For a formal criminal background check not tied to a specific case, submit a request to the West Virginia State Police Criminal Identification Bureau. This typically requires fingerprint submission and a processing fee. These checks are often required for employment, licensing, or adoption purposes.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Harrison
Fees for criminal record copies and certifications in Harrison County are set by West Virginia statute and local court rules.
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court record (per page) | $0.50 | Standard per-page rate under WV Code §59-1-10 |
| Certification of document | $5.00 | Per document certified with court seal |
| State criminal history check (CIB) | $25.00 | Submitted through WV State Police; fingerprint-based checks may cost more |
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Often processed the same day or within a few business days, depending on the clerk's workload
- Mail requests — Allow 1–2 weeks for processing and return mailing
- State criminal history checks — Processing times vary; fingerprint-based checks may take several weeks
Fees are subject to change. Contact the Harrison County Circuit Clerk's office to confirm current rates before submitting payment. For the most up-to-date court information specific to Harrison County, visit the Harrison County court information page maintained by the West Virginia Judiciary.