Lewis 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 Circuit Court of Lewis County handles the county's felony criminal, general civil, juvenile, and family cases.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Circuit Court of Lewis County |
| Website | courtswv.gov (West Virginia Judiciary) |
| Handles | Felony and other criminal cases, general civil, juvenile, and family matters |
| Does NOT Handle | Magistrate court matters, which the magistrate court clerk keeps; federal cases, which go to the U.S. District Court for West Virginia |
| Online Case Search | Court Records Access page |
| Criminal Records Requests | Contact the Circuit Clerk through courtswv.gov |
| Pay Traffic Tickets Online | Magistrate Court Payments portal |
How to Search Lewis County Court Records
Have the person's full name, the case number if you know it, and the county where the case was filed ready before you search.
Online
Go to the Court Records Access page on courtswv.gov.
Search Circuit Courts records for all 55 counties.
Best for: Checking records from home
In Person
Go to the Lewis County circuit clerk's office at the county courthouse.
Bring the full name and any case number you have.
Ask the clerk which division holds your case.
Best for: Records that need the clerk's help
Contact the Clerk
Find the courthouse phone number on courtswv.gov.
Ask which division holds your case before you visit.
Best for: Confirming a case division
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
Lewis County Court Statistics (2025)
Lewis County courts handled an estimated 2,145 new cases in 2025 and disposed of an estimated 2,085. The estimate scales West Virginia statewide totals by the county's share of state population.
~2,145
Total filings in 2025
~2,085
Total dispositions in 2025
~2,145
Filings per judicial position (1 estimated positions)
~-1.2%
Change in total filings vs 2024
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Filings | ~2,145 | ~2,172 | ~-1.2% |
| Total Dispositions | ~2,085 | ~2,113 | ~-1.3% |
| Criminal Filings | ~1,236 | ~1,317 | ~-6.2% |
| Civil Filings | ~602 | ~559 | ~+7.7% |
| Family Law Filings | ~183 | ~168 | ~+8.9% |
| Probate Filings | ~14 | ~15 | ~-6.7% |
| Mental Health Filings | ~46 | ~45 | ~+2.2% |
| Juvenile Filings | ~77 | ~84 | ~-8.3% |
| Authorized Judicial Positions | ~1 | ~1 | ~0.0% |
The largest category movement was in criminal filings. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: West Virginia statewide figures scaled by Lewis County's 0.93% share of the state population.
How Have Court Filings Changed in Lewis County?
Circuit court filings in Lewis County are published for two years only, with criminal, civil, and juvenile case groups shown separately.
| Year | Circuit criminal | Circuit civil | Circuit juvenile | Circuit total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 103 | 386 | 98 | 587 |
| 2024 | 111 | 411 | 78 | 600 |
Circuit filings were down 2.2% overall from 2024 to 2025, moving from 600 to 587 cases. Circuit civil filings changed the most, -6.1%, while circuit juvenile filings moved +25.6%. The published data does not explain the causes of these changes.
Chart note: a line chart of the three circuit case groups, shown from 2024 to 2025 (oldest to newest), would show each group's direction.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Lewis County?
Circuit civil filings make up the largest share of Lewis County filings in 2025 at 44.5% of the 868 cases published for that year. Figures marked with ~ are estimates based on the other years shown for this county.
| Case Type | Filings 2025 | Share of Total | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circuit criminal | 103 | 11.9% | -7.2% |
| Felonies | 94 | 10.8% | -6.9% |
| Magistrate Appeals | 1 | 0.1% | ~-1.1% |
| Misdemeanor | 1 | 0.1% | ~-1.1% |
| Other Criminal Cases | 7 | 0.8% | -30.0% |
| Circuit civil | 386 | 44.5% | -6.1% |
| Adoption | 20 | 2.3% | +0.0% |
| General Civil | 82 | 9.4% | +5.1% |
| Guardianship | 6 | 0.7% | -14.3% |
| Magistrate Appeals | 3 | 0.3% | -40.0% |
| Mental Health | 250 | 28.8% | -10.1% |
| Other Civil Cases | 25 | 2.9% | +13.6% |
| Circuit juvenile | 98 | 11.3% | +25.6% |
| Child Abuse / Neglect | 54 | 6.2% | +5.9% |
| Delinquency | 42 | 4.8% | +55.6% |
| Status Offenses | 2 | 0.2% | ~-1.1% |
| Family domestic | 281 | 32.4% | ~-6.1% |
| Divorce | 74 | 8.5% | ~-1.1% |
| Domestic Violence | 42 | 4.8% | ~-1.1% |
| Other Domestic Relations | 15 | 1.7% | ~-1.1% |
| Marriages | 87 | 10.0% | ~-1.1% |
| Modifications | 42 | 4.8% | ~-1.1% |
| Contempt | 21 | 2.4% | ~-1.1% |
Among the circuit groups, circuit juvenile filings grew fastest at +25.6%, while circuit criminal filings fell fastest at -7.2%.
How Does Lewis County Compare With West Virginia Overall?
Lewis County is estimated to account for about 0.93% of the 230,414 cases filed in West Virginia courts in 2025.
| Metric | Lewis County | West Virginia | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | ~2,145 | 230,414 | ~0.93% of statewide filings |
| YoY change in filings | ~-1.2% | -1.3% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Filings per judicial position | ~2,145 | 1,829 | Estimated at the state level |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | ~2,085 | 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 Lewis County's 0.93% share of the state population.
Lewis County Crime Statistics (2025)
These figures are West Virginia statewide totals as reported to the FBI, not counts for Lewis 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murder | 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 Lewis County with the state. The property crimes total includes arson, so it is larger than the sum of the property offenses listed above.
Lewis County Courthouse Locations
Lewis County court proceedings are held at the Lewis County Courthouse Annex. Check your notice or case paperwork to confirm the courthouse assigned to your case before you go.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewis County Courthouse Annex | 117 Court Avenue, Weston, WV 26452 | 304-269-8210 | 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 Lewis County?
The circuit court in Lewis County handles felony, general civil, juvenile, and family cases, while magistrate courts handle smaller civil disputes.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Civil lawsuit up to $20,000 | Magistrate court | Magistrate courts hear civil disputes up to $20,000, and the magistrate court clerk keeps those records. |
| Civil lawsuit above $20,000 | Circuit court | Civil cases above the magistrate court limit go to the circuit court, where the circuit clerk keeps the records. |
| Felony | Circuit court | Felony cases appear in the county's circuit criminal filings, and the circuit clerk keeps those records. |
| Juvenile case | Circuit court | Juvenile cases appear in the county's circuit juvenile filings, and the circuit clerk keeps those records. |
| Divorce | Family court | The circuit clerk keeps family court records. |
| Child custody or support | Family court | The circuit clerk keeps family court records. |
| Business dispute | Business Court Division | The statewide Business Court Division has its own case search. |
| Appeal | Appellate courts | Appeals from trial courts go to the state's appellate courts, not to the county court. |
Are Lewis County Court Records Public?
Court records for Lewis County are kept by the circuit clerk for circuit and family court cases and by magistrate court clerks for magistrate cases. Confirm which records are restricted with the clerk before you request one.
Online access
The Court Records Access page on courtswv.gov lists the state's public search tools, including Circuit Courts and Magistrate Courts search for all 55 counties. The Business Court case search covers Business Court cases.
In-person access
Visit the circuit clerk's office at the Lewis County courthouse, or find the phone number on courtswv.gov, to confirm which division holds your case.
How to Search Lewis County Court Records Online
Use the state's official court record search tools to find Lewis County cases by case type, and contact the clerk for documents that are not online.
- Identify the case type, such as criminal, civil, family, magistrate, or business court.
- Open the Court Records Access page for circuit and magistrate searches, or the Business Court case search for business cases.
- Search by full name or case number and note the case number from the results.
- Review the case details, parties, and status in the results.
- Contact the circuit clerk or magistrate court clerk to request documents that are not online.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal and civil (circuit) | Court Records Access page | Case details the state system publishes | Confirm documents with the circuit clerk |
| Juvenile | Court Records Access page | Case details, where the state system shows them | Ask the circuit clerk whether the case appears |
| Family law | Court Records Access page | Family court case details | Ask the circuit clerk whether the case appears online |
| Magistrate | Magistrate Courts search | Magistrate court case details | Use the magistrate court clerk for records not online |
| Business court | Business Court case search | Business Court case details | Covers Business Court Division cases only |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Lewis County
Pay fines and court costs through the statewide Magistrate Court Payments portal, or contact the clerk for your case.
- Online: Pay at the Magistrate Court Payments portal. Confirm on the portal that your fine or cost is listed before you pay.
- Phone: Find the courthouse phone number on courtswv.gov and ask the clerk about your case. Ask for the amount due before you pay.
- In person: Go to the Lewis County courthouse clerk's office and ask about your case. Bring your ticket or case number.
For parking tickets, check the ticket for the office that issued it and pay there.
Lewis County Court Records FAQ
How do I search court records in Lewis County?
Use the Court Records Access page on courtswv.gov to search circuit and magistrate records, or contact the circuit clerk for records that are not online.
Are court records in Lewis County public?
Court records are kept by the circuit clerk and magistrate court clerks. Confirm with the clerk which records are restricted before you request one.
How do I find a criminal case?
Search the Court Records Access page by full name, or contact the circuit clerk to confirm the division that holds the case.
How do I find a court date?
Check your notice or ticket first, then contact the circuit clerk to confirm the division and date.
How do I pay a traffic ticket?
Pay at the Magistrate Court Payments portal after confirming your ticket is listed, or contact the clerk for help with your case.
How many cases are filed in Lewis County each year?
Circuit courts recorded 587 criminal, civil, and juvenile filings in 2025, down 2.2% from 600 in 2024, and 281 family domestic filings in 2025.
What is the most common type of case?
Circuit civil cases were the largest group in 2025 at 386 filings, or 44.5% of the 868 cases published for that year.
Is crime in West Virginia 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
Lewis County Circuit CourtMore Info
| Address: | 117 Court Avenue, Weston, WV, 26452 |
| Phone Number: | 304-269-8210 |
| Fax: | 304-269-8249 |
| Website: | http://www.courtswv.gov/lower-courts/counties/lewis.html |
Useful Links
- West Virginia Judiciary: Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia - Official portal for accessing state court information, legal resources, and Supreme Court opinions in West Virginia.
- Lewis County, West Virginia: Circuit Court Information - Find local judicial administrative region details, including court schedule, contact information, and clerk of court resources.
- West Virginia Legal Services Plan: Finding Legal Help in WV - Provides resources and information for low-income individuals seeking legal assistance in various areas of law.
- West Virginia Judiciary: Public Resources - Access self-help resources, downloadable court forms, and guides for individuals navigating the court system in West Virginia.
- The West Virginia State Bar: For Information and Service to the Public - Offers a directory for finding attorneys by location or practice area, and additional legal resources.
- Lewis County Courts - Official site providing information on local courts, case management, and the duties of clerks in Lewis County.
- Court Help: West Virginia Self-Help Guidance - Offers guidance and resources for individuals representing themselves in legal matters within West Virginia courts.
- West Virginia Homeless Task Force: Assisting Homeless Access to Legal Services - Helps navigate court systems and resources to support the homeless in West Virginia's legal system.
- West Virginians for Criminal Justice Reform - Advocates for policy changes and provides resources related to criminal justice reform in West Virginia.
- OnlineSearches: Lewis County West Virginia Public Records Directory - Directory of public records, including court, criminal, and vital records for Lewis County, West Virginia.
- Representing Yourself in West Virginia Courts - Offers information and resources for individuals choosing to self-represent in court cases in West Virginia.
- Legal Aid of West Virginia - Provides free civil legal assistance for qualifying residents, representing a range of legal issues in West Virginia.
- Federal Public Defender: Northern District of West Virginia - Offers representation for federal criminal defendants in the Northern District, including parts of Lewis County, West Virginia.
- FindLaw: West Virginia Law - Comprehensive resource providing legal information, news, and lawyer listings specific to West Virginia law.
- Federal Bureau of Prisons: Inmate Locator - Access federal inmate information, including locations and sentencing details, which may relate to federal cases impacting Lewis County residents.
- Nolo: West Virginia Legal Encyclopedia - A collection of articles and guides explaining West Virginia laws and legal procedures, useful for understanding court processes.
- West Virginia Association of Counties - Provides resources related to county-level governance, including resources for county clerks and local courts in West Virginia.
- West Virginia Victim Assistance Program - Provides assistance and resources to victims navigating the legal system across West Virginia, including court-related support.
- ACLU of West Virginia - Offers resources and support for civil liberties issues, including legal advocacy impacting court cases in West Virginia.
- West Virginia Supreme Court Database - Database offering historical and current records related to the Supreme Court's decisions in West Virginia.
Table of Contents
- Lewis County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Lewis County Court Records
- Lewis County Court Statistics (2025)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Lewis County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Lewis County?
- How Does Lewis County Compare With West Virginia Overall?
- Lewis County Crime Statistics (2025)
- Lewis County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Lewis County?
- Are Lewis County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Lewis County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Lewis County
- Lewis County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links