Criminal records in Berkeley County, West Virginia, can be accessed through several channels. BerkeleyWVCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Additional access points include the West Virginia Judiciary's online court record portals, the Berkeley County Circuit Clerk's office, the magistrate court clerk, and law enforcement agencies. Whether you need to look up a pending charge, verify a case outcome, or obtain a certified copy of a court record, the resources below explain each method step by step.
How to Search Criminal Records in Berkeley County
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Berkeley County. Start with the method that matches the information you already have.
Online Search Options
- BerkeleyWVCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information related to Berkeley County criminal cases.
- West Virginia Judiciary Court Record Access — The Court Record Access page provides statewide search tools for both circuit and magistrate court records across all 55 counties, including Berkeley County.
- Magistrate Court Case Search — Use the Magistrate Case Record Search to look up misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic offenses, and other matters handled at the magistrate level. You can search by name or case number.
- Magistrate Court Payment System — The Magistrate Court Payment System case search also allows lookups by case number, name, or citation number.
- Offender and Inmate Searches — To check whether someone is currently incarcerated in a West Virginia state prison, use the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation Offender Search. For regional jail inmates, including those held at the Eastern Regional Jail and Corrections Facility in Martinsburg (Berkeley County), use the Regional Jail Authority Inmate Search.
What You Need to Search
- Defendant's full name (first and last; middle name helps narrow results)
- Date of birth (if available)
- Case number (if known)
- Citation number (for traffic or magistrate cases)
In Person
Visit the Berkeley County Circuit Clerk's office at the Berkeley County Courthouse in Martinsburg. Public access terminals may be available for searching court records. You can also visit the Berkeley County Magistrate Court clerk to request copies of magistrate-level case records. The West Virginia Judiciary advises contacting or visiting the magistrate court clerk in the county where the case was filed to obtain copies of specific records.
By Mail or Written Request
Send a written request to the Berkeley County Circuit Clerk specifying the defendant's name, date of birth, and case number (if known). Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and any applicable fees. For a statewide criminal history record check, submit a request to the West Virginia State Police Criminal Identification Bureau, which serves as the state's criminal history repository. Fingerprint-based background checks are processed through that office.
Search Berkeley County Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you have a case number, it is the fastest way to locate a specific record. West Virginia case numbers follow a structured format that identifies the court, year, case type, and sequence.
A typical circuit court case number looks like this:
- County code — A two-digit number identifying the county (Berkeley County is 02)
- Hyphen and case type prefix — Letters indicating the type of case (e.g., "F" for felony, "M" for misdemeanor in circuit court filings)
- Year — Two or four digits for the filing year
- Sequence number — A sequential number assigned to the case
Magistrate court case numbers follow a similar pattern but use their own prefix conventions. Enter the full case number exactly as it appears on any court documents you have. Even a small variation — a missing hyphen or wrong prefix — can return no results.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Berkeley County
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The West Virginia Code section the defendant is charged under (e.g., W. Va. Code § 61-2-9 for robbery) |
| Felony | Serious offenses carrying potential imprisonment of one year or more in a state correctional facility |
| Misdemeanor | Less serious offenses typically punishable by up to one year in a regional jail and/or fines |
| Amended charges | Original charges may be reduced or modified through plea negotiations or prosecutorial discretion |
Case Status
- Pending — The case is open and awaiting further court action
- Active — Proceedings are ongoing; hearings or trial dates may be scheduled
- Disposed — The case has reached a final resolution (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.)
- Closed — All court obligations are fulfilled and the case file is administratively closed
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — The defendant is formally advised of charges and enters an initial plea
- Preliminary hearing — A magistrate or judge determines whether probable cause exists to send the case to circuit court (felony cases)
- Pre-trial — Attorneys discuss motions, evidence, and potential resolutions before trial
- Trial — The case is heard before a judge or jury
- Sentencing — The court imposes a sentence after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review hearing — The court checks compliance with probation, payment plans, or other conditions
Court Results
- Guilty — The defendant was convicted, either by plea or verdict
- Not guilty — The defendant was acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — The charges were dropped by the court or prosecutor
- Nolle prosequi — The prosecutor elected not to pursue the charge
- Acquitted — A formal finding of not guilty
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Berkeley County
Certified copies of criminal court records carry an official court seal and can be used for legal proceedings, background verifications, and other official purposes.
Circuit Court Records
Request certified copies from the Berkeley County Circuit Clerk's office. You can submit requests in person or by mail.
Berkeley County Circuit Clerk
When requesting by mail, include:
- A written request specifying the case number, defendant name, and the documents you need
- A valid government-issued photo ID (copy)
- Payment for applicable fees (check or money order payable to the Berkeley County Circuit Clerk)
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
Magistrate Court Records
Contact the Berkeley County Magistrate Court clerk for certified copies of magistrate-level case records. The West Virginia Judiciary public information page notes that registered users can download public circuit court documents online for a fee.
State Criminal History Records
For a formal criminal history background check, contact the West Virginia State Police Criminal Identification Bureau. Fingerprint-based checks require submission of a completed fingerprint card and applicable fees.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Berkeley County
Fees for criminal record copies and certifications in West Virginia are established by statute and local court rules. The following table reflects standard fees; confirm current amounts with the clerk's office before submitting payment.
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Uncertified copy (per page) | $0.50 | Standard per-page rate for court document copies |
| Certified copy | $1.00–$2.00 per page (plus certification fee) | Certification fee varies; contact the clerk for the exact amount |
| Certification seal | $0.50–$1.00 | Per certification applied to a document |
| State criminal history check (name-based) | $25.00 | Through the WV State Police CIB |
| State criminal history check (fingerprint-based) | $25.00+ | May include additional processing or FBI check fees |
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Often processed the same day or within a few business days, depending on volume
- Mail requests — Typically 5–10 business days after the clerk receives the request and payment
- State criminal history checks — May take several weeks, particularly for fingerprint-based requests routed through the FBI
- Online record searches — Results are usually available immediately through the West Virginia Judiciary's electronic portals
Contact the Berkeley County Circuit Clerk directly to confirm current fees and estimated turnaround times before submitting your request.