Braxton County, WV Courts and Public Records
- Arrest Records
- Judgments
- Bankruptcies
- DUIs & DWIs
- Felonies
- Warrants
- Jail Records
- Lien Records
- Sex Offenses
- Misdemeanors
- Criminal Records
- Federal Dockets
The Braxton County Circuit Court handles felony and other criminal cases, civil cases, juvenile matters, and family domestic cases. Magistrate courts hear limited civil disputes up to $20,000.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Braxton County Circuit Court |
| Website | West Virginia Judiciary (courtswv.gov) |
| Handles | Felony and other criminal cases, civil cases, juvenile matters, and family domestic cases in Circuit Court; civil disputes up to $20,000 in Magistrate Court |
| Does NOT Handle | Federal cases (the U.S. District Court for West Virginia) |
| Online Case Search | Court Records Access (courtswv.gov) |
| Online Payments | Magistrate Court Payments (apps.wv.gov) |
How to Search Braxton County Court Records
Have the person's full name, the case number if you know it, and the approximate dates ready before you search. Braxton County circuit and family court records are kept by the Circuit Clerk.
Online
Go to the Court Records Access page at courtswv.gov.
Use the Circuit Courts search for circuit and family cases.
Use the Magistrate Courts search for magistrate cases.
Best for: Quick checks of circuit and magistrate cases
In Person
Go to the county courthouse and ask for the Circuit Clerk.
Ask which office keeps magistrate court records.
Find the courthouse address at courtswv.gov before you go.
Best for: Confirming the correct office
Contact the Clerk
Go to courtswv.gov to find current county court contact details.
Call the Circuit Clerk once you have the number.
Ask which office keeps magistrate court records.
Best for: Confirming contact details
Search by Name on WestVirginiaCourts.org
Go to WestVirginiaCourts.org and enter a full name.
Search across record types without a case number.
Confirm results with the court, since they are not official court records.
Best for: Finding leads without a case number
Braxton County Court Statistics (2025)
The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals reports Braxton County circuit filings for 2025 and 2024 by case category. Only the totals the court publishes are shown, so this section does not combine categories into one filing count. Figures marked with ~ are estimates based on the other years shown for this county.
61
Felony filings in circuit court in 2025 (2024: 49)
83
Juvenile filings in 2025 (2024: 69, +20.3%)
52
General civil filings in circuit court in 2025 (2024: 57)
55
Divorce filings in family court in 2025 (2024 not reported)
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Felonies | 61 | 49 | +24.5% |
| Misdemeanors | 0 | 0 | No change |
| Magistrate appeals | 1 | 1 | 0.0% |
| Other criminal cases | 21 | 7 | +200.0% |
| Administrative agency appeals | 1 | 0 | New in 2025 |
| Adoption | 11 | 23 | -52.2% |
| Domestic violence | 0 | 0 | No change |
| General civil | 52 | 57 | -8.8% |
| Guardianship | 8 | 9 | -11.1% |
| Magistrate appeals | 1 | 3 | -66.7% |
| Mental health | 28 | 27 | +3.7% |
| Other civil cases | 21 | 15 | +40.0% |
| Other domestic relations | 0 | 0 | No change |
| Personal safety appeals | 0 | 0 | No change |
| Child abuse and neglect | 75 | 50 | +50.0% |
| Delinquency | 8 | 17 | -52.9% |
| Status offenses | 0 | 2 | -100.0% |
| Divorce | 55 | ~54 | ~+2.2% |
| Domestic violence | 56 | ~55 | ~+2.2% |
| Other domestic relations | 18 | ~18 | ~+2.2% |
| Marriages | 3 | ~3 | ~+2.2% |
| Modifications | 63 | ~62 | ~+2.2% |
| Contempt | 72 | ~70 | ~+2.2% |
The largest change in a comparable category was child abuse and neglect, which rose from 50 in 2024 to 75 in 2025.
How Have Court Filings Changed in Braxton County?
Estimated total filings in Braxton County moved up over the last five years; dispositions are estimated at a similar level.
| Fiscal Year | Total Filings | Total Dispositions | YoY Filing Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | ~1,569 | ~1,525 | ~-1.3% |
| 2024 | ~1,589 | ~1,546 | ~-3.5% |
| 2023 | ~1,647 | ~1,607 | ~+5.1% |
| 2022 | ~1,567 | ~1,532 | ~+0.3% |
| 2021 | ~1,563 | ~1,525 | ~+0.3% |
Estimated filings changed +0.4% between 2021 and 2025, from 1,563 to 1,569. The largest annual change was +5.1% in 2023. The latest change of -1.3% reflects statewide West Virginia trends. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: West Virginia statewide figures scaled by Braxton County's 0.68% share of the state population.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Braxton County?
The largest published category in Braxton County's 2025 circuit and family caseload is Child abuse and neglect (juvenile), with 75 filings. Figures marked with ~ are estimates based on the other years shown for this county.
| Case Type | Filings 2025 | Filings 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal: Felonies | 61 | 49 | +24.5% |
| Criminal: Misdemeanors | 0 | 0 | No change |
| Criminal: magistrate appeals | 1 | 1 | 0.0% |
| Criminal: other criminal cases | 21 | 7 | +200.0% |
| Civil: administrative agency appeals | 1 | 0 | New in 2025 |
| Civil: adoption | 11 | 23 | -52.2% |
| Civil: domestic violence | 0 | 0 | No change |
| Civil: general civil | 52 | 57 | -8.8% |
| Civil: guardianship | 8 | 9 | -11.1% |
| Civil: magistrate appeals | 1 | 3 | -66.7% |
| Civil: mental health | 28 | 27 | +3.7% |
| Civil: other civil cases | 21 | 15 | +40.0% |
| Civil: other domestic relations | 0 | 0 | No change |
| Civil: personal safety appeals | 0 | 0 | No change |
| Juvenile: child abuse and neglect | 75 | 50 | +50.0% |
| Juvenile: delinquency | 8 | 17 | -52.9% |
| Juvenile: status offenses | 0 | 2 | -100.0% |
| Family law: divorce | 55 | ~54 | ~+2.2% |
| Family law: domestic violence | 56 | ~55 | ~+2.2% |
| Family law: other domestic relations | 18 | ~18 | ~+2.2% |
| Family law: marriages | 3 | ~3 | ~+2.2% |
| Family law: modifications | 63 | ~62 | ~+2.2% |
| Family law: contempt | 72 | ~70 | ~+2.2% |
The fastest increase was other criminal cases (+200.0%), and the largest decline was status offenses (-100.0%).
How Does Braxton County Compare With West Virginia Overall?
Braxton County is estimated to account for about 0.68% of the 230,414 cases filed in West Virginia courts in 2025.
| Metric | Braxton County | West Virginia | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | ~1,569 | 230,414 | ~0.68% of statewide filings |
| YoY change in filings | ~-1.3% | -1.3% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Filings per judicial position | ~1,569 | 1,829 | Estimated at the state level |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | ~1,525 | 1,778 | Estimated at the state level |
| Criminal share of filings | ~57.6% | 57.6% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Civil share of filings | ~28.1% | 28.1% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Family law share of filings | ~8.5% | 8.5% | Same as state (estimate) |
These county values are estimates built from statewide West Virginia figures, so they track the state mix by design. Actual county dockets may differ. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: West Virginia statewide figures scaled by Braxton County's 0.68% share of the state population.
Braxton County Crime Statistics (2025)
These figures are West Virginia statewide totals as reported to the FBI, not counts for Braxton County. Agency reporting may be incomplete, and county crime counts are not available here. Statewide violent and property crimes combined fell 10.9% from 2024 to 2025. In 2025, reporting agencies covered about 96.4% of West Virginia's population, so year-over-year changes can partly reflect which agencies reported.
4,123
Violent crimes, West Virginia statewide, 2025
16,897
Property crimes, West Virginia statewide, 2025 (includes arson)
233.4
Violent crime rate per 100K, West Virginia statewide, 2025 (population 1,766,147)
-10.9%
Change in total violent plus property crimes, West Virginia statewide, 2025 vs 2024 (21,020 vs 23,595)
| Offense | 2025 | Rate per 100K | 2024 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 68 | 3.9 | 104 | -34.6% |
| Rape | 945 | 53.5 | 932 | +1.4% |
| Robbery | 149 | 8.4 | 179 | -16.8% |
| Aggravated assault | 2,961 | 167.7 | 3,088 | -4.1% |
| Violent crimes total | 4,123 | 233.4 | 4,303 | -4.2% |
| Burglary | 2,400 | 135.9 | 3,124 | -23.2% |
| Larceny-theft | 13,259 | 750.7 | 14,620 | -9.3% |
| Motor vehicle theft | 1,109 | 62.8 | 1,361 | -18.5% |
| Property crimes total | 16,897 | 956.7 | 19,292 | -12.4% |
Rates use the West Virginia 2025 population of 1,766,147. County-level rates are not published, so this section does not compare Braxton County with the state. The property crimes total includes arson, so it is larger than the sum of the property offenses listed above.
Braxton County Courthouse Locations
Braxton County court proceedings are held at the Braxton County Courthouse. Check your notice or case paperwork to confirm the courthouse assigned to your case before you go.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Braxton County Courthouse | 300 Main Street, Sutton, WV 26601 | 304-765-2807 | See location page |
Addresses and phone numbers come from public directory listings and may change, so confirm them with the clerk before you visit.
Which Court Handles Your Case in Braxton County?
Circuit Court handles felony, civil, juvenile, and family domestic matters in Braxton County, while magistrate courts hear limited civil disputes up to $20,000.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Felony | Circuit Court | Felony filings are part of the circuit criminal caseload for Braxton County. |
| Misdemeanor | Circuit Court | Misdemeanor filings are counted in the circuit criminal caseload, so confirm the charge on your paperwork. |
| Civil dispute up to $20,000 | Magistrate Court | Magistrate courts hear civil disputes up to $20,000. |
| Civil case over $20,000 | Circuit Court | Civil cases above the magistrate limit are heard in circuit court. |
| Domestic violence | Circuit Court | Domestic violence matters appear in the circuit family domestic caseload. |
| Divorce | Circuit Court, Family Court | The Circuit Clerk keeps family court records for Braxton County. |
| Child custody or support | Circuit Court, Family Court | Family court records are kept by the Circuit Clerk. |
| Juvenile case | Circuit Court | Juvenile delinquency and child abuse or neglect cases are circuit court matters. |
| Appeal | State appellate courts | Appeals go to the Supreme Court of Appeals or the Intermediate Court of Appeals. |
| Federal case | U.S. District Court for West Virginia | Federal cases are not heard by county courts. |
Are Braxton County Court Records Public?
Court records in Braxton County are kept by the Circuit Clerk for circuit and family court cases and by magistrate court clerks for magistrate cases. Access to a specific record depends on the case type and any sealing or confidentiality order.
Online access
Circuit and magistrate case searches are available on the Court Records Access page at courtswv.gov. Business Court cases have a separate case search.
In-person access
Visit the Circuit Clerk or magistrate court clerk for your case. Contact details for Braxton County are at courtswv.gov.
Limits on access
Ask the clerk which records are open for a specific case before you request copies.
How to Search Braxton County Court Records Online
Use the official West Virginia court search tools to look up Braxton County cases by case type, then ask the clerk for records that are not online.
- Identify the case type, such as criminal, civil, family, juvenile, or magistrate.
- Open the Court Records Access page at courtswv.gov, which links to the Circuit Courts and Magistrate Courts searches.
- Search by party name or case number and note the case number from the results.
- Review the case details in the results.
- Use the contact details at courtswv.gov to request documents that are not online.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circuit criminal | Circuit Courts search (Court Records Access) | Circuit case information for criminal matters | Confirm coverage with the Circuit Clerk |
| Civil | Circuit Courts search (Court Records Access) | Circuit civil case information | Documents may need to be requested from the clerk |
| Family law | Circuit Courts search (Court Records Access) | Family court case information | Documents may need to be requested from the clerk |
| Juvenile | Circuit Clerk | Juvenile matters are circuit court cases | Juvenile records may be restricted; check with the clerk |
| Magistrate (civil up to $20,000) | Magistrate Courts search (Court Records Access) | Magistrate case information | Confirm coverage with the magistrate court clerk |
| Business Court | Business Court case search | Business Court case information | Limited to Business Court Division cases |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Braxton County
Online payment for magistrate court matters is available through the state portal, and the clerk can confirm other options for Braxton County.
- Online: Pay through the Magistrate Court Payments page at apps.wv.gov/Courts/MFP. Confirm with the clerk which balances this page accepts.
- Clerk contact: Use the contact details at courtswv.gov to ask how to pay a balance.
For parking tickets, contact the agency that issued the ticket, and confirm the case type before paying traffic citations or criminal fines.
Braxton County Court Records FAQ
How do I search Braxton County court records?
Use the Court Records Access page at courtswv.gov to search Circuit Courts and Magistrate Courts records by name or case number.
Are Braxton County court records public?
Access depends on the case type and any sealing or confidentiality order, so ask the Circuit Clerk which records are open.
How do I find a criminal case?
Search the Circuit Courts search on the Court Records Access page, or contact the Circuit Clerk.
How do I find a court date?
Check your notice or paperwork first, then contact the clerk for the court where your case is filed.
How do I pay a traffic ticket?
Check the Magistrate Court Payments page and confirm with the clerk that your ticket is covered.
How many cases are filed in Braxton County each year?
In 2025 the reports list 83 juvenile filings, 61 felony filings, and 52 general civil filings, compared with 69, 49, and 57 in 2024. A combined yearly total is not published in these reports.
What is the most common type of case?
In 2025 the largest single category was Child abuse and neglect (juvenile) with 75 filings.
Is crime in Braxton County rising or falling?
County crime counts are not available here. Statewide, reported violent crimes fell 4.2% to 4,123 in 2025 from 4,303 in 2024, and property crimes fell 12.4% to 16,897 from 19,292, as reported to the FBI. These are West Virginia statewide figures, and reporting coverage changed between years.
Courts in the County
Braxton County CourtMore Info
| Address: | 300 Main Street, Sutton, WV, 26601 |
| Phone Number: | 304-765-2837 |
| Fax: | 304-765-2947 |
| Website: | http://www.courtswv.gov/lower-courts/counties/braxton.html |
Useful Links
- West Virginia Judiciary - Braxton County - Explore local court information including contact details, locations, and services provided by the Braxton County judiciary.
- West Virginia State Agency Directory Public Resources - Access a comprehensive directory of state agency contacts and information, including judicial and court-related resources.
- Braxton County Clerk - Provides access to public records including deeds, marriage licenses, and other official documents filed in Braxton County.
- West Virginia Legislature - Find legislative information, state laws, and resources related to state courts from the West Virginia Legislature's official site.
- Legal Aid of West Virginia - Offers free legal services and resources for low-income individuals in West Virginia, including court-related assistance.
- Braxton County Courthouse - Official information regarding the Braxton County Courthouse, its functions, location, and contact information for legal matters.
- WV Vital Research Records - Search for vital records such as birth, death, and marriage certificates in West Virginia, for genealogical research.
- Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia - Access information on West Virginia's highest court, including opinions, docketing, and administrative orders.
- WV State Auditor's Office - Property Tax - Get access to property tax records, assessments, and related public information from the West Virginia State Auditor's Office.
- Braxton County Chamber of Commerce - Provides community information, business resources, and a platform for economic and business development in Braxton County.
- The West Virginia State Bar - A professional organization providing legal education, resources, and information on attorney services in West Virginia.
- United States Courts - Nationwide resources on federal court operations, including docket information, court locations, and rules of court.
- BraxtonWV - Offers general information about Braxton County, including county services, local government contacts, and community events.
- The Register-Herald - State & Region - Stay informed with regional news coverage, including legal and court-related developments impacting Braxton and surrounding counties.
- West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) - Obtain driver's license, vehicle registration information, and other transportation-related legal resources in West Virginia.
- West Virginia Public Broadcasting - Provides news and educational programming focusing on statewide issues, including those that pertain to legal matters.
- West Virginia Department of Education - Discover educational resources, policies, and public information for legal issues related to educational institutions.
- West Virginia Farmers Market Association - Information on local farmer markets, including regulatory information and resources for market participants and consumers.
- National Agricultural Statistics Service - West Virginia - Find agricultural statistical data that can intersect with land use laws and court decisions impacting farm activities.
- FEMA West Virginia - Resources and disaster recovery information specific to West Virginia, including legal assistance and recovery funding.
Table of Contents
- Braxton County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Braxton County Court Records
- Braxton County Court Statistics (2025)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Braxton County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Braxton County?
- How Does Braxton County Compare With West Virginia Overall?
- Braxton County Crime Statistics (2025)
- Braxton County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Braxton County?
- Are Braxton County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Braxton County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Braxton County
- Braxton County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links