Webster 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 Webster County Circuit Court handles felony, misdemeanor, civil, juvenile, and family domestic cases. The circuit clerk keeps circuit and family court records, and magistrate court clerks keep magistrate court records.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Webster County Circuit Court |
| Official Website | courtswv.gov (West Virginia Judiciary) |
| Handles | Felony, misdemeanor, and other criminal cases; general civil, mental health, adoption, guardianship, and other civil cases; juvenile cases; family domestic cases |
| Does NOT Handle | Federal cases (the U.S. District Court for West Virginia); magistrate court records, which the magistrate court clerk keeps |
| Online Case Search | Court Records Access page |
| Records Requests | Circuit Clerk's Office for circuit and family court records |
How to Search Webster County Court Records
Have the person's full name, a case number if you have one, and approximate dates ready before you search Webster County records.
Online
Go to the Court Records Access page on courtswv.gov.
Search Webster County circuit or magistrate court records by name.
Check results with the clerk before relying on them.
Best for: Quick case lookups before visiting
In Person
Go to the Webster County Circuit Clerk's Office for circuit and family court records.
Go to the magistrate court clerk for magistrate court records.
Confirm the office address on the official courts website before you visit.
Best for: Records not found in online search
By Phone
Call the Webster County Circuit Clerk's Office to ask what records are available.
Have the case number and party names ready when you call.
Find the clerk's number on courtswv.gov.
Best for: Questions about a specific 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
Webster County Court Statistics (2025)
Webster County courts handled an estimated 1,035 new cases in 2025 and disposed of an estimated 1,006. The estimate scales West Virginia statewide totals by the county's share of state population.
~1,035
Total filings in 2025
~1,006
Total dispositions in 2025
~1,035
Filings per judicial position (1 estimated positions)
~-1.2%
Change in total filings vs 2024
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Filings | ~1,035 | ~1,048 | ~-1.2% |
| Total Dispositions | ~1,006 | ~1,019 | ~-1.3% |
| Criminal Filings | ~596 | ~635 | ~-6.1% |
| Civil Filings | ~290 | ~269 | ~+7.8% |
| Family Law Filings | ~88 | ~81 | ~+8.6% |
| Probate Filings | ~7 | ~7 | ~+0.0% |
| Mental Health Filings | ~22 | ~22 | ~+0.0% |
| Juvenile Filings | ~37 | ~40 | ~-7.5% |
| 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 Webster County's 0.45% share of the state population.
How Have Court Filings Changed in Webster County?
Estimated total filings in Webster 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 | ~1,035 | ~1,006 | ~-1.2% |
| 2024 | ~1,048 | ~1,019 | ~-3.5% |
| 2023 | ~1,086 | ~1,060 | ~+5.0% |
| 2022 | ~1,034 | ~1,010 | ~+0.4% |
| 2021 | ~1,030 | ~1,006 | ~+0.4% |
Estimated filings changed +0.5% between 2021 and 2025, from 1,030 to 1,035. The largest annual change was +5.0% in 2023. The latest change of -1.2% reflects statewide West Virginia trends. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: West Virginia statewide figures scaled by Webster County's 0.45% share of the state population.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Webster County?
Criminal cases make up 21.7% of Webster County circuit filings in 2025, with 45 of 207 total filings. Civil cases make up 43.5% and juvenile cases make up 34.8%.
| Case Type | Filings 2025 | Share of Circuit Filings | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | 45 | 21.7% | +0.0% |
| Felonies | 33 | 15.9% | -13.2% |
| Other Criminal Cases | 12 | 5.8% | +71.4% |
| Civil | 90 | 43.5% | +36.4% |
| Adoption | 10 | 4.8% | +42.9% |
| General Civil | 39 | 18.8% | +30.0% |
| Guardianship | 4 | 1.9% | -33.3% |
| Magistrate Appeals | 1 | 0.5% | +0.0% |
| Mental Health | 8 | 3.9% | -11.1% |
| Other Civil Cases | 28 | 13.5% | +115.4% |
| Juvenile | 72 | 34.8% | -13.3% |
| Child Abuse / Neglect | 57 | 27.5% | -17.4% |
| Delinquency | 12 | 5.8% | -7.7% |
| Status Offenses | 3 | 1.4% | +200.0% |
Status Offenses grew fastest at +200.0%, while Guardianship had the slowest change at -33.3%. Family domestic filings for 2025 total 160 and are reported separately.
How Does Webster County Compare With West Virginia Overall?
Webster County is estimated to account for about 0.45% of the 230,414 cases filed in West Virginia courts in 2025.
| Metric | Webster County | West Virginia | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | ~1,035 | 230,414 | ~0.45% of statewide filings |
| YoY change in filings | ~-1.2% | -1.3% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Filings per judicial position | ~1,035 | 1,829 | Estimated at the state level |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | ~1,006 | 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 Webster County's 0.45% share of the state population.
Webster County Crime Statistics (2025)
These figures are West Virginia statewide totals as reported to the FBI, not counts for Webster 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 Webster County with the state. The property crimes total includes arson, so it is larger than the sum of the property offenses listed above.
Webster County Courthouse Locations
Webster County court proceedings are held at the Webster County Courthouse. Check your notice or case paperwork to confirm the courthouse assigned to your case before you go.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webster County Courthouse | 2 Court Square, Webster Springs, WV 26288 | 304-847-2421 | 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 Webster County?
Trial-level cases in Webster County go to the circuit court, the family court, or a magistrate court, depending on the case type and amount in dispute.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Felony | Circuit Court, Criminal | The circuit court reported 33 felony filings in 2025. |
| Misdemeanor | Circuit Court, Criminal | Circuit criminal filings include 0 misdemeanor cases in 2025; check your paperwork for the court listed. |
| Civil dispute up to $20,000 | Magistrate Court | Magistrate courts have limited jurisdiction, with civil cases up to $20,000 in dispute. |
| Civil dispute above $20,000 | Circuit Court, Civil | The circuit court hears civil cases above the magistrate limit. |
| Divorce | Family Court | Family court records are kept by the circuit clerk. |
| Child custody or support | Family Court | Family court records are kept by the circuit clerk, and modifications and contempt are reported in family domestic filings. |
| Juvenile case | Circuit Court, Juvenile | Juvenile delinquency and child abuse or neglect cases are reported with circuit court filings. |
| Appeal | Supreme Court of Appeals or Intermediate Court of Appeals | State appeals are heard by the appellate courts, not the county court. |
Are Webster County Court Records Public?
Access to Webster County court records runs through the circuit and magistrate court clerks and the statewide Court Records Access search. Confirm what a clerk can release before you request a file.
Online access
Search circuit and magistrate court records through the Court Records Access page on courtswv.gov. Online results may not show every document.
In-person access
Visit the Webster County Circuit Clerk's Office for circuit and family court records, or the magistrate court clerk for magistrate records. Confirm the office address on courtswv.gov before you go.
How to Search Webster County Court Records Online
Use the statewide court search to find Webster County cases by case type, and ask the clerk for documents that are not online.
- Identify the case type, such as criminal, civil, family, magistrate, or juvenile.
- Open the Court Records Access page and choose the circuit or magistrate court search.
- Search by name or case number and note the case number from the results.
- Review the case details for status, parties, and scheduled dates.
- Contact the clerk's office to request documents that are not available online.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal (circuit) | Circuit Courts search | Circuit court case information | Full documents may require the clerk |
| Civil (circuit) | Circuit Courts search | Circuit court case information | Full documents may require the clerk |
| Family law (circuit) | Circuit Courts search | Family court case information | Family court records are kept by the circuit clerk |
| Magistrate court cases | Magistrate Courts search | Magistrate court case information | Magistrate records are kept by the magistrate court clerk |
| Business court cases | Business Court Case Search | Business Court Division case information | Covers only Business Court Division cases |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Webster County
Fines for Webster County court cases can be paid through the statewide payment portal listed below.
- Online: Pay through the Magistrate Court Payments portal on apps.wv.gov. Check the portal for the charges it accepts.
Parking tickets are not paid through the court; contact the agency that issued the ticket.
Webster County Court Records FAQ
How do I search court records?
Use the Court Records Access page to search circuit and magistrate court records, or contact the clerk for records that are not online.
Are court records public?
Access runs through the circuit and magistrate court clerks, so confirm what a clerk can release before you request a file.
How do I find a criminal case?
Search circuit court records on the Court Records Access page by name, or call the Webster County Circuit Clerk's Office with the defendant's name.
How do I find a court date?
Check your notice or ticket for the date, and call the clerk's office to confirm it.
How do I pay a traffic ticket?
Pay through the Magistrate Court Payments portal at apps.wv.gov, and check the charges it accepts.
How many cases are filed in a year?
Webster County circuit court recorded 207 criminal, civil, and juvenile filings in 2025, up from 194 in 2024 (+6.7%).
What is the most common type of case?
Civil cases were the largest circuit category in 2025 at 90 filings, with general civil at 39 of the civil total.
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
Webster County Circuit CourtMore Info
| Address: | 2 Court Square, Webster Springs, WV, 26288 |
| Phone Number: | 304-847-5062 |
| Fax: | 304-847-7671 |
| Website: | http://www.courtswv.gov/lower-courts/counties/clay.html |
Webster County Circuit CourtMore Info
| Address: | 2 Court Square, Webster Springs, WV, 26288 |
| Phone Number: | 304-847-2421 |
| Fax: | 304-847-2062 |
| Website: | http://www.courtswv.gov/lower-courts/counties/webster.html |
Useful Links
- West Virginia Judiciary - The official website of the West Virginia Judicial System, offering legal resources, court rules, and directories.
- Webster County Circuit Court - Information on court services, contact details, and the judicial staff for Webster County Court located in West Virginia.
- Webster County Clerk Public Record Search - Access to official public records and documents via the Webster County Clerk's online search tool.
- West Virginia Legislature - Explore bills, statutes, and legislative history to understand the laws governing court operations in the state.
- West Virginia Vital Research Records - Search for birth, death, and marriage records provided by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History.
- The West Virginia State Bar - Offers resources and services for legal professionals and provides public access to attorney directories and legal aid.
- Legal Aid of West Virginia - Provides free civil legal services and advocacy for low-income individuals and families in West Virginia courts.
- West Virginia Legal Research & Writing Center - Comprehensive guidance for legal research and writing, focusing on state-specific legal precedents and procedures.
- Webster County, WV Official Government Site - The official portal for Webster County providing county services information including courts and public records access.
- West Virginia Public Broadcasting - Provides news coverage, including legal and court developments affecting the residents of West Virginia.
- Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts - Find federal court forms and procedures that may apply to cases in Webster County, West Virginia.
- West Virginia Secretary of State - Access to business filings, UCC records, and public information maintained by the West Virginia Secretary of State.
- West Virginia Health Statistics Center - Obtain copies of vital records for genealogy or other legal purposes directly from the state health department.
- Public Service Commission of West Virginia - Regulatory information on utilities and services which could be relevant to court cases involving public interest.
- West Virginia Community and Economic Development - Resources for economic development programs that interact with court services, promoting state welfare and infrastructure.
- West Virginia State Auditor's Office - Financial records, audits, and transparency resources which might be useful for court-related financial documentation.
- West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles - Information on court-handled vehicle-related legal issues such as registrations, licensing, and motor law violations.
- WVVA - West Virginia News Source - Provides current legal news and updates significant for tracking recent court decisions affecting Webster County.
- West Virginia Attorney General's Office - Explore consumer protection laws and legal opinions from the state's chief legal advisor, relevant to court cases.
- Small Business Administration—West Virginia District Office - Access business resources, advice on legal compliance, and court matters affecting small businesses.
Table of Contents
- Webster County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Webster County Court Records
- Webster County Court Statistics (2025)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Webster County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Webster County?
- How Does Webster County Compare With West Virginia Overall?
- Webster County Crime Statistics (2025)
- Webster County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Webster County?
- Are Webster County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Webster County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Webster County
- Webster County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links