Preston 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 Preston County Circuit Court hears felony, civil, and juvenile cases, and the family court handles domestic relations matters. Magistrate courts have limited jurisdiction, including civil disputes up to $20,000.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Preston County Circuit Court |
| Website | courtswv.gov |
| Online Case Search | Court Records Access |
| Family Court Circuit | 20th Family Court Circuit, shared with Monongalia County |
| Handles | Felonies, civil cases, and juvenile cases in circuit court; family court domestic matters; magistrate matters with limited jurisdiction |
| Does NOT Handle | Federal cases, which are heard in the U.S. District Court for West Virginia; civil disputes above $20,000 in magistrate court |
How to Search Preston County Court Records
Have the full name, the case number if you know it, and approximate dates ready before you search Preston County court records.
Online
Go to Court Records Access on www.courtswv.gov to search circuit and magistrate cases.
Search by party name or case number to see case details.
Confirm details with the clerk before relying on them.
Best for: Quick lookups of case status
In Person
Go to the county circuit clerk's office for circuit and family court records.
Confirm the office address on courtswv.gov before you visit.
Bring the case number and party names if you have them.
Best for: Records not available online
Contact the Clerk
Contact the county circuit clerk for records that are not shown online.
Confirm the clerk's phone number on courtswv.gov before you call.
Ask the magistrate court clerk about magistrate court records.
Best for: Requests the online search cannot answer
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
Preston County Court Statistics (2025)
Circuit court filings in Preston County totaled 600 in 2025, compared with 643 in 2024. The totals combine criminal, civil, and juvenile filings as published in the Supreme Court of Appeals annual statistical reports.
600
Circuit filings in 2025 (criminal, civil, and juvenile)
386
Family domestic filings in 2025 (sum of published categories)
17.6
Circuit filings per 1,000 residents in 2025, using the 2024 population of 34,055
-6.7%
Change in circuit filings vs 2024 (643)
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal filings | 211 | 240 | -12.1% |
| Civil filings | 286 | 293 | -2.4% |
| Juvenile filings | 103 | 110 | -6.4% |
| Total circuit filings | 600 | 643 | -6.7% |
The largest change came from criminal filings, which fell from 240 to 211.
How Have Court Filings Changed in Preston County?
Estimated total filings in Preston 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 | ~4,433 | ~4,310 | ~-1.3% |
| 2024 | ~4,490 | ~4,368 | ~-3.5% |
| 2023 | ~4,655 | ~4,541 | ~+5.1% |
| 2022 | ~4,429 | ~4,329 | ~+0.3% |
| 2021 | ~4,416 | ~4,310 | ~+0.3% |
Estimated filings changed +0.4% between 2021 and 2025, from 4,416 to 4,433. 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 Preston County's 1.92% share of the state population.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Preston County?
Civil cases are the largest category at 47.7% of the 600 circuit filings in Preston County in 2025. Family domestic filings are reported separately in the statistics section because they are not published for 2024.
| Case Type | Filings 2025 | Share of Total | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | 211 | 35.2% | -12.1% |
| Felonies | 104 | 17.3% | -16.8% |
| Misdemeanors | 3 | 0.5% | Up from 0 in the prior year |
| Other criminal cases | 102 | 17.0% | -8.9% |
| Magistrate appeals (criminal) | 2 | 0.3% | -33.3% |
| Civil | 286 | 47.7% | -2.4% |
| General civil | 133 | 22.2% | -15.8% |
| Adoption | 35 | 5.8% | -7.9% |
| Mental health | 52 | 8.7% | +36.8% |
| Guardianship | 11 | 1.8% | -45.0% |
| Other civil cases | 38 | 6.3% | +26.7% |
| Magistrate appeals (civil) | 4 | 0.7% | -33.3% |
| Administrative agency appeals | 1 | 0.2% | Up from 0 in the prior year |
| Personal safety appeals | 8 | 1.3% | +166.7% |
| Other domestic relations | 4 | 0.7% | Up from 0 in the prior year |
| Juvenile | 103 | 17.2% | -6.4% |
| Delinquency | 13 | 2.2% | -38.1% |
| Child abuse or neglect | 84 | 14.0% | -1.2% |
| Status offenses | 6 | 1.0% | +50.0% |
The fastest-growing category was Personal safety appeals (+166.7%), and the fastest-falling was Guardianship (-45.0%).
How Does Preston County Compare With West Virginia Overall?
Preston County is estimated to account for about 1.92% of the 230,414 cases filed in West Virginia courts in 2025.
| Metric | Preston County | West Virginia | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | ~4,433 | 230,414 | ~1.92% of statewide filings |
| YoY change in filings | ~-1.3% | -1.3% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Filings per judicial position | ~2,216 | 1,829 | Estimated at the state level |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | ~2,155 | 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 Preston County's 1.92% share of the state population.
Preston County Crime Statistics (2025)
These figures are West Virginia statewide totals as reported to the FBI, not counts for Preston 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 Preston County with the state. The property crimes total includes arson, so it is larger than the sum of the property offenses listed above.
Preston County Courthouse Locations
Preston County court proceedings are held at the Preston County Courthouse. Check your notice or case paperwork to confirm the courthouse assigned to your case before you go.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preston County Courthouse | 101 West Main Street, Kingwood, WV 26537 | 304-329-2105 | 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 Preston County?
Use this table to find the court for common matters in Preston County, and confirm the assigned court with the clerk. Family court matters for Preston County are heard in the 20th Family Court Circuit, which also covers Monongalia County.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Felony | Circuit court | Felony cases go to circuit court, which keeps circuit criminal records. |
| Civil lawsuit | Magistrate court or circuit court | Magistrate courts hear civil disputes up to $20,000, and circuit courts hear civil filings. |
| Juvenile case | Circuit court | Juvenile delinquency, status offense, and child abuse or neglect cases are filed in circuit court. |
| Divorce | Family court | Family court handles domestic relations matters, including divorce filings. |
| Child custody or support | Family court | Ask the clerk to confirm where a custody or support case is filed. |
| Appeal | Appellate court | The Supreme Court of Appeals and the Intermediate Court of Appeals hear appeals from trial courts. |
| Federal case | U.S. District Court for West Virginia | Federal cases are not heard in county courts. |
Are Preston County Court Records Public?
Some Preston County court records are public, and some are restricted, so confirm access with the clerk before you request a record.
Public records
Circuit and family court records are kept by the county circuit clerk, and magistrate court records are kept by the magistrate court clerk.
Restricted or confidential records
Some records are restricted, and the clerk can confirm which records are available before you request them.
Online access
Use Court Records Access to search circuit and magistrate court cases, and confirm results with the court, since they are not official court records.
In-person access
Visit or contact the county circuit clerk for circuit and family court records, or the magistrate court clerk for magistrate records.
How to Search Preston County Court Records Online
Use the official West Virginia court search tools to find Preston County cases by type, and ask the clerk for records that are not online.
- Identify the case type, such as criminal, civil, juvenile, family, or magistrate.
- Open Court Records Access and choose the circuit or magistrate search.
- Search by party name or case number, and note the case number from the results.
- Review the case details, and confirm them with the clerk before relying on them.
- Contact the clerk for the court that holds the case to request records that are not available online.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circuit criminal | Circuit Courts search | Circuit court case records, including felony cases | Confirm results with the clerk; they are not official court records |
| Magistrate | Magistrate Courts search | Magistrate court case records | Confirm results with the clerk; they are not official court records |
| Circuit civil | Circuit Courts search | Circuit civil case records | Confirm results with the clerk; they are not official court records |
| Family law | Contact the circuit clerk | Family court records kept by the circuit clerk | Ask the clerk which records you can request |
| Juvenile | Contact the circuit clerk | Juvenile case information through the clerk | Ask the clerk which juvenile records you can request |
| Business court | Business Court Case Search | Business Court Division cases | Only for Business Court matters |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Preston County
Magistrate court payments for Preston County can be made through the statewide Magistrate Court Payments page.
- Online: Pay through Magistrate Court Payments. Check the page for the fines and court costs it accepts.
Other payment methods are not listed here, so ask the court clerk which methods the court accepts.
Preston County Court Records FAQ
How do I search Preston County court records?
Use Court Records Access to search circuit and magistrate court cases by name or case number, then confirm results with the clerk.
Are Preston County court records public?
Some records are public and some are restricted, so ask the county circuit clerk before you request a record.
How do I find a criminal case?
Search by party name in Court Records Access, using the circuit search for felony cases and the magistrate search for magistrate cases.
How do I find a court date?
Check your notice or paperwork, and contact the county circuit clerk to confirm the court date.
How do I pay a traffic ticket?
Check your ticket for the court and case number, then use the Magistrate Court Payments page to see which payments it accepts.
How many cases are filed in Preston County each year?
Circuit court filings totaled 600 in 2025, compared with 643 in 2024, a change of -6.7%.
What is the most common type of case?
Civil cases were the largest group at 286, or 47.7% of the 600 circuit filings in 2025.
Is crime in Preston 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
Preston County Circuit CourtMore Info
| Address: | 101 West Main Street, Room 303, Kingwood, WV, 26537 |
| Phone Number: | 304-329-0047 |
| Fax: | 304-329-1417 |
| Website: | http://www.courtswv.gov/lower-courts/counties/preston.html |
Useful Links
- Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia - Provides comprehensive information on the judiciary system, court opinions, rules, and services across the state.
- Public Resources - West Virginia Judiciary - Access public resources including self-help tools, forms, and court guides for individuals and attorneys.
- Rules - West Virginia Judiciary - Official rules governing practice and procedure within West Virginia's judicial system, including local court rules.
- Clerk of Court - West Virginia Supreme Court - Find information pertained to appellate procedures, filing fees, and accessing court records in West Virginia.
- West Virginia Legislature - Official Website - Locate state laws, legislative updates, and legal information relevant to the judicial process and court regulations.
- West Virginia Court Records Public Access - Search and access real-time West Virginia court records through the public access query system.
- Vital Records - West Virginia - Request vital records such as birth, marriage, and death certificates from the West Virginia Department of Health.
- West Virginia State Police - Criminal Records - Learn how to obtain criminal records and background checks through the West Virginia State Police services.
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) - National resources providing legal defense information and guidelines for individuals facing criminal proceedings.
- Legal Services Corporation - Legal Aid - A non-profit organization assisting low-income individuals to access legal aid and court-related services nationwide.
- MIT Preserving State Court Records - A project dedicated to preserving state and local court records, providing historical data accessibility.
- Preston County, WV - Government - Official county website providing government services, public records access, and community resources in Preston County.
- ACLU of West Virginia - Advocacy group focusing on protecting civil liberties and providing legal resources and assistance in West Virginia.
- United States Attorney’s Office - Southern District of WV - Information on federal legal proceedings, court cases, and services offered by the U.S. Attorney for West Virginia.
- Access to Justice Foundation - West Virginia - Dedicated to improving access to the justice system, providing legal education, and resources to West Virginia residents.
- West Virginia Vital Records Information - A third-party site providing guidance on processing and acquiring vital public records in West Virginia.
- National Center for State Courts (NCSC) - Offers insights into national state court practices, administration, and implementation of effective judicial policies.
- LawHelp.org - West Virginia - Provides free legal aid via resources, guides, and directories specifically tailored for West Virginia residents.
- FindLaw - West Virginia Resources - Identifies West Virginia specific statute information, judicial insights, and legal counsel directories for residents.
- West Virginia Public Records Online - Public records directory for accessing court records, property information, and official state documents in West Virginia.
Table of Contents
- Preston County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Preston County Court Records
- Preston County Court Statistics (2025)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Preston County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Preston County?
- How Does Preston County Compare With West Virginia Overall?
- Preston County Crime Statistics (2025)
- Preston County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Preston County?
- Are Preston County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Preston County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Preston County
- Preston County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links