As there may be more one source to obtaining West Virginia criminal, civil and divorce records, it is important to search multiple state courts to find the correct records.

West Virginia State Court Structure:

The West Virginia municipal courts have jurisdiction to hear cases that involve DWI or DUI matters, moving traffic violations, and other miscellaneous traffic violations. The municipal courts have exclusive jurisdiction to hear cases involving parking violations, and ordinance violations. West Virginia's circuit courts have jurisdiction to hear cases that involve tort, contract, and real property rights from $300 and up. These courts have exclusive mental health, estate, and civil appeals jurisdiction. Circuit courts hear domestic relations matters, misdemeanors, and DWI or DUI matters. Circuit courts have exclusive felony, and criminal appeals jurisdiction, and exclusive juvenile jurisdiction. Jury trials are available in these courts. West Virginia's magistrate courts have jurisdiction to hear cases that involve tort, contract, real property rights from $0 to $5,000, misdemeanors, DWI or DUI, domestic, violence matters, moving traffic violations, and other miscellaneous traffic violations. Magistrate courts hold venue to preliminary hearings. Jury trials are available in magistrate courts also. West Virginia's family courts are made up of 26 circuits, 35 judges, and hear domestic relations matters, including domestic violence. Jury trials are available. West Virginia's highest court is the supreme court. The supreme court has no mandatory jurisdiction. All cases are heard by discretion of the court. Discretionary jurisdiction in civil, non-capital criminal, administrative agency, juvenile,disciplinary, certified questions from federal courts, original proceeding, and interlocutory decision cases.