Ohio 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 Ohio County circuit, family, and magistrate courts handle the criminal, civil, juvenile, and family matters listed below, with records kept by the county circuit clerk and the magistrate court clerk.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Website | courtswv.gov (West Virginia Judiciary) |
| Online Case Search | Court Records Access, with Circuit Courts and Magistrate Courts search |
| Handles | Circuit court criminal, civil, and juvenile cases; family court cases; magistrate court cases, including civil disputes up to $20,000 |
| Does NOT Handle | Federal cases, which go to the U.S. District Court for West Virginia |
| Circuit and Family Court Records | Kept by the county circuit clerk |
| Magistrate Court Records | Kept by the magistrate court clerk; the Supreme Court administers the magistrate courts |
| Pay Traffic Tickets Online | Magistrate Court Payments; the page does not state whether fines or court costs are covered |
How to Search Ohio County Court Records
Have the full name, the case number if you know it, and approximate dates ready before you search.
Online
Go to the Court Records Access page on courtswv.gov.
Search Circuit Courts and Magistrate Courts for all 55 counties.
Review the case details shown in the results.
Best for: Quick lookups by name or case number
In Person
Go to the county circuit clerk's office for circuit and family court records.
Go to the magistrate court clerk's office for magistrate court records.
Bring the case number and party names if you have them.
Best for: Records not available online
By Phone
Find the clerk's contact details on the West Virginia Judiciary website.
Ask which office holds your case type before you call.
Have the case number and approximate dates ready.
Best for: Confirming which office holds a case
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
Ohio County Court Statistics (2025)
Ohio County courts handled an estimated 5,349 new cases in 2025 and disposed of an estimated 5,200. The estimate scales West Virginia statewide totals by the county's share of state population.
~5,349
Total filings in 2025
~5,200
Total dispositions in 2025
~1,783
Filings per judicial position (3 estimated positions)
~-1.3%
Change in total filings vs 2024
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Filings | ~5,349 | ~5,418 | ~-1.3% |
| Total Dispositions | ~5,200 | ~5,270 | ~-1.3% |
| Criminal Filings | ~3,082 | ~3,284 | ~-6.2% |
| Civil Filings | ~1,502 | ~1,393 | ~+7.8% |
| Family Law Filings | ~457 | ~420 | ~+8.8% |
| Probate Filings | ~34 | ~37 | ~-8.1% |
| Mental Health Filings | ~115 | ~112 | ~+2.7% |
| Juvenile Filings | ~193 | ~209 | ~-7.7% |
| Authorized Judicial Positions | ~3 | ~3 | ~0.0% |
The largest category movement was in criminal filings. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: West Virginia statewide figures scaled by Ohio County's 2.32% share of the state population.
How Have Court Filings Changed in Ohio County?
Estimated total filings in Ohio 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 | ~5,349 | ~5,200 | ~-1.3% |
| 2024 | ~5,418 | ~5,270 | ~-3.5% |
| 2023 | ~5,617 | ~5,479 | ~+5.1% |
| 2022 | ~5,344 | ~5,223 | ~+0.3% |
| 2021 | ~5,328 | ~5,200 | ~+0.3% |
Estimated filings changed +0.4% between 2021 and 2025, from 5,328 to 5,349. 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 Ohio County's 2.32% share of the state population.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Ohio County?
Civil cases make up the largest share of Ohio County circuit filings in 2025, at 50.2% of 1,098. Figures marked with ~ are estimates based on the other years shown for this county.
| Case Type | Filings 2025 | Share of Total | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil | 551 | 50.2% | +20.8% |
| General Civil | 252 | 23.0% | -3.4% |
| Mental Health | 128 | 11.7% | +132.7% |
| Other Civil Cases | 121 | 11.0% | +18.6% |
| Adoption | 28 | 2.6% | +12.0% |
| Guardianship | 11 | 1.0% | +22.2% |
| Magistrate Appeals | 7 | 0.6% | +75.0% |
| Personal Safety Appeals | 4 | 0.4% | New in 2025 |
| Admin Agency Appeals | 0 | 0.0% | No change |
| Domestic Violence | 0 | 0.0% | No change |
| Other Domestic Relations | 0 | 0.0% | No change |
| Criminal | 329 | 30.0% | +6.8% |
| Other Criminal Cases | 195 | 17.8% | +8.3% |
| Felonies | 133 | 12.1% | +5.6% |
| Misdemeanor | 1 | 0.1% | 0.0% |
| Magistrate Appeals | 0 | 0.0% | -100.0% |
| Juvenile | 218 | 19.9% | +12.4% |
| Child Abuse / Neglect | 172 | 15.7% | +26.5% |
| Delinquency | 36 | 3.3% | -10.0% |
| Status Offenses | 10 | 0.9% | -44.4% |
| Family law (domestic filings, reported separately) | 587 | Not in circuit total | ~+11.4% |
The fastest-growing case type was Mental Health (civil group) at +132.7%, and the fastest-falling was Magistrate Appeals (criminal group) at -100.0%.
Family domestic filings of 587 in 2025 are reported separately and are not included in the circuit total, and no 2024 comparison is published.
How Does Ohio County Compare With West Virginia Overall?
Ohio County is estimated to account for about 2.32% of the 230,414 cases filed in West Virginia courts in 2025.
| Metric | Ohio County | West Virginia | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | ~5,349 | 230,414 | ~2.32% of statewide filings |
| YoY change in filings | ~-1.3% | -1.3% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Filings per judicial position | ~1,783 | 1,829 | Estimated at the state level |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | ~1,733 | 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 Ohio County's 2.32% share of the state population.
Ohio County Crime Statistics (2025)
These figures are West Virginia statewide totals as reported to the FBI, not counts for Ohio 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 Ohio County with the state. The property crimes total includes arson, so it is larger than the sum of the property offenses listed above.
Ohio County Courthouse Locations
Ohio County court proceedings are held at the Ohio County Courthouse. Check your notice or case paperwork to confirm the courthouse assigned to your case before you go.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio County Courthouse | 1500 Chapline Street, Wheeling, WV 26003 | See location page | 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 Ohio County?
Cases in Ohio County are heard by the Ohio County Magistrate Court, Circuit Court, and Family Court, depending on the matter. Federal matters belong in the U.S. District Court, not the state courts.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | Ohio County Magistrate Court, or a municipal court if issued within a city | The citation lists where to appear or pay. |
| Parking ticket | The city or agency that issued the ticket | Parking tickets are usually handled by the issuing municipality. |
| Misdemeanor | Ohio County Magistrate Court | Magistrate court handles most misdemeanor charges. |
| Felony | Ohio County Circuit Court | Felonies begin in magistrate court and are tried in circuit court. |
| DUI | Ohio County Magistrate Court | Initial DUI misdemeanor charges are typically filed in magistrate court. |
| Domestic violence | Ohio County Magistrate Court or Family Court | Protective order requests and related charges are filed with the clerk. |
| Civil lawsuit | Ohio County Circuit Court, or Magistrate Court for smaller claims | The amount in dispute decides which court hears the case. |
| Small claims | Ohio County Magistrate Court | Magistrate court hears small civil claims. |
| Eviction | Ohio County Magistrate Court | Landlord and tenant matters are filed with the magistrate clerk. |
| Divorce | Ohio County Family Court | Family court handles divorce and related matters. |
| Child custody or support | Ohio County Family Court | Family court handles custody, visitation, and support. |
| Probate or estate | Ohio County Commission and County Clerk | Probate in West Virginia is handled through the county commission and clerk. |
| Juvenile case | Ohio County Circuit Court | Juvenile matters are heard in circuit court. |
| Appeal | Intermediate Court of Appeals or Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia | Appeals move from the county to the state appellate courts. |
Are Ohio County Court Records Public?
Some Ohio County court records can be searched online through Court Records Access, but not every record or document is available there. Ask the county circuit clerk or magistrate court clerk which records you may inspect and which are restricted.
Online access
The Court Records Access page on courtswv.gov lets you search Circuit Courts and Magistrate Courts records. Search results show case information, which may not include every document.
In-person access
Visit the county circuit clerk's office for circuit and family court records, or the magistrate court clerk's office for magistrate records. Call ahead to confirm which office holds your record.
Restricted or confidential records
Ask the clerk which records are restricted or confidential before you request them. Do not assume every file is available online.
How to Search Ohio County Court Records Online
Case information for Ohio County can be searched through the West Virginia Judiciary's official online tools.
- Identify the type of case you are looking for.
- Open the official West Virginia Judiciary website listed below.
- Search by name or case number and select Ohio County if asked.
- Review the case details and docket entries.
- Contact the Ohio County clerk for documents that are not online.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | West Virginia Judiciary magistrate and circuit record search | Magistrate and circuit case information. | Documents may require registration or a request to the clerk. |
| Traffic | West Virginia Judiciary magistrate and circuit record search | Magistrate court case information. | Municipal court cases may not appear. |
| Civil | West Virginia Judiciary magistrate and circuit record search | Magistrate and circuit civil case information. | Circuit documents may require a registered account or the clerk. |
| Small claims | West Virginia Judiciary magistrate and circuit record search | Magistrate court case information. | Documents may need to be requested from the clerk. |
| Family law | West Virginia Judiciary | Family court case information may be limited. | Not confirmed in the general portal; contact the Ohio County clerk. |
| Probate | West Virginia Judiciary | Probate is handled by the county commission and clerk. | Not in the general portal; contact the Ohio County clerk. |
| Juvenile | West Virginia Judiciary | Little or no public information. | Juvenile records are confidential and not in the general portal. |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Ohio County
The statewide Magistrate Court Payments portal is the online option for court payments in West Virginia.
- Online: Pay at Magistrate Court Payments. The page does not state whether fines or court costs are covered, so confirm with the clerk first.
- Phone or in person: Contact the county circuit clerk or magistrate court clerk to confirm which payment methods they accept.
Parking tickets are handled by the agency that issued the ticket, so confirm how to pay with that agency.
Ohio County Court Records FAQ
How do I search Ohio County court records?
Use the Court Records Access page on courtswv.gov to search circuit and magistrate court records by name or case number. Results are not official court records, so confirm details with the clerk.
Are Ohio County court records public?
Some records are searchable online, but not every record or document is. Ask the county circuit or magistrate court clerk which records are open and which are restricted.
How do I find a criminal case in Ohio County?
Search by the defendant's name on Court Records Access, then confirm with the clerk that holds the case.
How do I find a court date in Ohio County?
Check your ticket, notice, or summons first, then search the case by name or case number on Court Records Access.
How do I pay a traffic ticket in Ohio County?
Use the Magistrate Court Payments portal, after confirming it covers your ticket, since the page does not state whether fines or court costs are included.
How many cases are filed in Ohio County each year?
The circuit courts recorded 1,098 criminal, civil, and juvenile filings in 2025, compared with 958 in 2024.
What is the most common case type?
Civil filings were the largest group in 2025 at 551 of 1,098 circuit filings (50.2%).
What is the crime trend in the latest year?
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
Ohio County Circuit CourtMore Info
| Address: | 1500 Chapline St., Wheeling, WV, 26003 |
| Phone Number: | 304-234-3611 |
| Fax: | 304-232-0550 |
| Website: | http://www.courtswv.gov/lower-courts/counties/ohio.html |
Wheeling Municipal CourtMore Info
| Address: | 1500 Chapline Street, Wheeling, WV, 26003 |
| Phone Number: | 304-234-3747 |
Useful Links
- West Virginia Judiciary - Supreme Court of Appeals - Provides access to opinions, decisions, and resources for courts within the state, including forms and information.
- Ohio County Government, West Virginia - County Services - Find information on various services, including probate, civil and criminal court matters, offered by Ohio County's offices.
- West Virginia Secretary of State - Business and Licensing - Offers resources on business registrations, state code, and records which may complement court-related research and inquiries.
- West Virginia Judiciary - Staff Attorneys - Information on legal staff and directories for guidance and representation within the state's judicial system.
- West Virginia Public Defender Services - Provides defense resources for those unable to afford legal representation in state court proceedings.
- Legal Aid of West Virginia - Non-profit organization offering free legal services in civil cases to eligible individuals, ensuring access to justice.
- Ohio County Clerk - Public Records Access - Comprehensive access to deeds, probate, and crucial public records, crucial for legal documentation and inquiries.
- Ohio County Sheriff - Civil Process Division - Information on how the Sheriff’s Office handles civil process services, including subpoenas, evictions, and more.
- West Virginia Circuit Clerks Association - Offers resources and support for circuit court processes and personnel across West Virginia, including Ohio County.
- Ohio County Document Inquiry - Inquiry site providing access to county documents, offering details pertinent to certain public and court records.
- Ohio County Family Resource Network - Community-based organization aiding families in court-related resource navigation, assistance, and referrals for Ohio County residents.
- The West Virginia State Bar - Association facilitating resources for both public and legal professionals within the state for practice, and legal guidance.
- West Virginia Legislature - Bill Status and Legislation - Access legislative information that may impact court-related procedures and legal standards within the region.
- CASA for Children of the Northern Panhandle - Non-profit offering court-appointed advocacy services for neglected or abused children in Ohio County and surrounding areas.
- West Virginia County Records Online - Portal for public access to records online, inclusive of various counties such as Ohio County for legal and public need.
- Supreme Court of Ohio - Publications - This reference might align with searching cross-state comparative resources on judicial standards, through official Ohio publications.
- West Virginia Prosecuting Attorneys Institute - Resources and support primarily aimed at prosecuting attorneys who work within the West Virginia court system.
- West Virginia Development Office - Resources - Provides links to various legal documents, economic resources, and programs which may be relevant for legal proceedings.
- West Virginia Regional Jail Authority - Important for those requiring information on incarcerated individuals or policies affecting detention in the state.
- West Virginia Judiciary - Self-Help Resources - Offers documents and guidance for individuals representing themselves in West Virginia courts, including forms and instructions.
Table of Contents
- Ohio County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Ohio County Court Records
- Ohio County Court Statistics (2025)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Ohio County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Ohio County?
- How Does Ohio County Compare With West Virginia Overall?
- Ohio County Crime Statistics (2025)
- Ohio County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Ohio County?
- Are Ohio County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Ohio County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Ohio County
- Ohio County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links