Boone County Arrest Records
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Boone County in 2026
BooneCountyRecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to arrest records in Boone County, West Virginia. Members of the public may find booking records, charge information, custody status, court case data, and related criminal justice records through official government sources. Available record categories include arrest logs, jail rosters, magistrate court case records, sex offender registrations, and inmate incarceration data. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the requesting agency and the disposition of the underlying case.
Official resources for searching Boone County arrest records include the Boone County Sheriff's Office, the West Virginia Magistrate Court case search system, the WV Regional Jail Authority daily incarceration database, and the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation offender search portal. Members of the public may access these resources online, in person at county offices, through public access terminals at the courthouse, or by submitting a written request.
Online Methods:
1. County Sheriff's Office Arrest Records
The Boone County Sheriff's Office prepares, audits, enters, and maintains law enforcement reports, records, warrants, and crime data for Boone County. The Sheriff's Office records division also assists with sex offender registrations and maintains booking information for individuals processed through the county. Members of the public may contact the Sheriff's Office directly to inquire about the availability of specific arrest records. Records are updated as arrests are processed and entered into the records management system.
2. Local Police Departments
The Madison Police Department serves the county seat of Boone County and maintains arrest logs and incident records for incidents occurring within city limits. Press releases containing arrest information are periodically issued by local law enforcement agencies. Members of the public seeking arrest records from municipal departments within Boone County should contact the relevant department directly, as records maintained by city police are separate from those held by the Sheriff's Office.
3. County Clerk of Court Case Search
The West Virginia Judiciary provides online access to magistrate court case records through the Magistrate Case Record Search portal. Members of the public may search by arrestee name to locate associated court cases filed in the Magistrate Court of Boone County, West Virginia. Case records include charge information, case status, and court scheduling data linked to underlying arrests.
4. State Law Enforcement Database
The West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation Offender Search allows members of the public to search for individuals currently under state supervision, including those incarcerated in state correctional facilities. The WV Regional Jail Authority also maintains a daily incarcerations database listing individuals currently held in regional jail facilities. These state-level tools supplement county-level records and are available at no cost to the public.
In-Person Access:
Sheriff's Office:
Boone County Sheriff's Office
200 State Street, Madison, WV 25130
Phone: (304) 369-7340
Boone County Sheriff's Office
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
- Members of the public should bring a valid government-issued photo ID and any known details about the arrest, including the subject's full name and approximate date of arrest
- Copy fees apply per page; the current standard rate is $1.00 per page for most public records
Clerk of Court:
Boone County Circuit Clerk
100 State Street, Suite 300, Madison, WV 25130
Phone: (304) 369-7330
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
- Criminal case files are available for inspection during regular business hours
- Copy fees are assessed at the standard rate established under West Virginia law
By Mail:
Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to the Boone County Sheriff's Office at 200 State Street, Madison, WV 25130. Requests should include the arrestee's full legal name, date of arrest if known, booking number if available, and the requester's full contact information. Payment for copies should be included with the request. Processing time is typically 5–10 business days from receipt of a complete request.
By Phone:
- Sheriff's Office: (304) 369-7340
- Callers should have the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date available
- Detailed record information is not released by phone; callers may be directed to submit a written request or visit in person
Through Legal Channels:
Attorneys may request arrest records on behalf of clients through formal discovery processes. Subpoenas may be issued for detailed records not otherwise available to the general public. Records obtained through legal proceedings are governed by applicable court rules and West Virginia Rules of Criminal Procedure.
Information Needed for Search:
- Full legal name (first and last at minimum)
- Date of birth or approximate age
- Approximate date of arrest
- Booking number (if known)
- Jurisdiction of arrest (Sheriff's Office, city police, or state agency)
Are Arrest Records Public in Boone County
Arrest records in Boone County are public records under West Virginia law. Pursuant to W. Va. Code § 29B-1-1 et seq., the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act (WVFOIA), all public records maintained by government bodies are presumptively open to inspection and copying by members of the public unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Arrest records fall within this framework because they document the exercise of governmental authority and serve the public interest in transparency, safety, and accountability.
As the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has recognized, "the disclosure provisions of the FOIA are to be liberally construed and the exemptions are to be strictly construed." This principle supports broad public access to arrest information maintained by county law enforcement agencies.
What Arrest Information Is Public:
- Arrestee name and aliases
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Charges filed at time of arrest
- Booking number
- Mugshot/booking photograph
- Bond and bail information
- Current custody status
- Basic demographic information (age, physical description)
Limitations on Public Access:
- Juvenile arrest records (restricted or sealed under West Virginia juvenile justice statutes)
- Expunged arrest records (removed from public access by court order)
- Sealed records (subject to court-ordered confidentiality)
- Information pertaining to active investigations
- Identities of undercover officers
- Confidential informant information
- Victim identifying information in certain cases
- Witness protection participants
Who Can Access Arrest Records:
- General public
- Media organizations
- Employers (subject to restrictions under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act)
- Landlords (subject to applicable restrictions)
- Licensing agencies
- Background check companies
- Attorneys and legal professionals
- Academic researchers
Restrictions on Use:
Employers and landlords using arrest records for screening purposes must comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681), which governs the use of consumer reports including criminal history information. West Virginia does not currently have a statewide "ban the box" law applicable to private employers, though federal contractors are subject to separate requirements. A critical distinction exists between an arrest record and a conviction record: an arrest does not establish guilt, and reliance on arrest records alone for adverse employment or housing decisions may give rise to legal liability.
What's in Boone County Arrest Records
Boone County arrest records contain several categories of information compiled at the time of booking and updated as the case progresses through the criminal justice system.
Personal Identification Information:
- Full legal name and any aliases or "also known as" names
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Sex/gender, race/ethnicity
- Height, weight, eye color, and hair color
- Identifying marks such as scars or tattoos
- Address at time of arrest (may be limited in public releases)
Arrest Details:
- Arrest date and time
- Location of arrest
- Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, city police, West Virginia State Police, or other)
- Booking date, time, and booking number
- Warrant information, if the arrest was warrant-based
Charges Information:
- Specific criminal charges and statute numbers violated
- Charge descriptions and classifications (felony degree or misdemeanor class)
- Number of counts per charge
- Domestic violence or gang-related designations, if applicable
Booking Information:
- Booking facility name and location
- Intake timestamp
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Fingerprints (collected but not typically included in public records)
- Personal property inventory
Custody and Bond Information:
- Current custody status (in custody, released, or bonded out)
- Bond amount and bond type (cash bond, surety bond, personal recognizance, or no bond)
- Release date and time, if applicable
- Release conditions, if public
What's Typically NOT in Public Arrest Records:
- Detailed narrative of the arrest (police report details)
- Witness statements
- Victim information
- Evidence collected or investigative techniques
- Medical or mental health information
- Social Security number (redacted)
- Bank account or financial information
Difference Between Arrest Records and Related Documents:
- Police reports: Contain more detailed incident narratives and are subject to separate disclosure rules
- Court records: Document legal proceedings initiated after arrest
- Criminal records: Reflect convictions and sentences, not merely arrests
- Background checks: Compile information from multiple sources, including but not limited to arrest records
How Much Does It Cost to Get Arrest Records in Boone County?
Members of the public may inspect arrest records at no charge during regular business hours at the Boone County Sheriff's Office or the Circuit Clerk's office. Fees apply when copies are requested. Under W. Va. Code § 29B-1-3, public bodies may charge reasonable fees for the cost of reproducing records, but inspection itself is free.
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard paper copies | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copies (court records) | $0.50 per page + $1.00 certification fee |
| Electronic copies (where available) | Varies by agency |
| Search fee | No statutory search fee under WVFOIA |
Accepted payment methods at the Sheriff's Office and Circuit Clerk's office include cash, money order, and personal check made payable to the respective agency. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requesters or for requests made in the public interest; applicants should inquire directly with the relevant office. Online state databases, including the WV Regional Jail Authority daily incarceration search and the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation offender search, are available at no cost.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Boone County
West Virginia law provides two primary mechanisms for limiting public access to arrest records: expungement, which results in the physical destruction or sealing of records, and record sealing, which restricts public access without necessarily destroying the underlying documents. The distinction is significant: expunged records are treated as though the arrest never occurred for most purposes, while sealed records remain accessible to law enforcement and certain government agencies.
Under W. Va. Code § 61-11-25, individuals who were arrested but not convicted—including cases where charges were dismissed, the individual was acquitted, or the prosecutor declined to file charges—may petition the circuit court for expungement of the arrest record. Individuals who successfully completed a first-offender diversion program may also be eligible. Certain felony convictions are not eligible for expungement under current West Virginia law.
Steps to Petition for Expungement:
- Confirm eligibility based on the disposition of the case (dismissal, acquittal, no charges filed, or qualifying first offense)
- Obtain a copy of the arrest record and court case file from the Boone County Circuit Clerk
- Complete the petition for expungement and file it with the Boone County Circuit Court
- Serve the petition on the prosecuting attorney's office
- Attend the scheduled hearing; the court will determine whether expungement is appropriate
- If granted, the court order is forwarded to all relevant agencies, including the Sheriff's Office, the West Virginia State Police, and the FBI, directing destruction or sealing of records
Boone County Circuit Court
100 State Street, Suite 300, Madison, WV 25130
Phone: (304) 369-7330
Boone County Prosecuting Attorney's Office
200 State Street, Madison, WV 25130
Phone: (304) 369-7340
Individuals seeking expungement are advised to consult with a licensed West Virginia attorney. The West Virginia State Bar Lawyer Referral Service may be reached at (304) 558-7991 or through the West Virginia State Bar website.
What Happens After Arrest in Boone County?
Immediate Post-Arrest Process:
1. Transport to Jail
Following an arrest in Boone County, the arrested individual is transported to the Southern Regional Jail, which serves as the primary detention facility for Boone County.
Southern Regional Jail
1200 Airport Road, Beaver, WV 25813
Phone: (304) 256-6800
WV Regional Jail Authority
2. Booking Process
Upon arrival at the booking facility, the arrested individual undergoes a standard intake process that typically takes one to four hours depending on facility volume. Steps include:
- Recording of personal information
- Advisement of Miranda rights (if not previously given)
- Photograph (mugshot) taken
- Fingerprints collected and submitted for criminal history check
- Outstanding warrants check
- Personal property inventoried and stored
- Clothing exchanged for jail uniform
- Medical and brief mental health screening
- Housing classification determination
3. First Appearance/Initial Hearing
Under West Virginia law, an arrested individual must be brought before a magistrate without unreasonable delay, and in practice this occurs within 24 to 72 hours of arrest. At the initial appearance:
- The individual is formally notified of the charges
- The right to appointed counsel is addressed for indigent defendants
- Bond or bail is determined
- Rights are explained
Hearings may be conducted via video conference. Members of the public may access Boone County magistrate court scheduling information through the West Virginia Judiciary website.
Bond/Bail Process:
Cash Bond: The full bond amount must be paid in cash and is refunded at the conclusion of the case, minus applicable fees. The amount is set by the magistrate or circuit judge.
Surety Bond: A licensed bail bondsman posts the full bond amount in exchange for a non-refundable premium, typically 10% of the bond amount.
Personal Recognizance (PR Bond): The individual is released on a written promise to appear, based on community ties, employment status, criminal history, and the nature of the charges.
No Bond: The individual is held without bond in cases involving serious violent offenses, demonstrated flight risk, danger to the community, probation or parole violations, or active immigration holds.
4. Release or Continued Detention
If bond is posted, processing for release typically takes one to eight hours. The individual receives a court date, written conditions of release, and a return of personal property. Failure to appear results in bond forfeiture and issuance of a bench warrant.
Accessing Legal Representation:
Boone County Public Defender's Office
200 State Street, Madison, WV 25130
Phone: (304) 369-7385
Eligibility for a public defender is based on financial need. Private counsel may be retained at any stage of the proceedings, and attorney-client consultations at the jail are confidential.
Charging Decision:
The Boone County Prosecuting Attorney's Office reviews the arrest and determines whether to file formal charges, request additional investigation, decline prosecution, or file different charges. For felony offenses, a grand jury may be convened to determine whether probable cause exists to proceed by indictment.
Court Process Overview:
Following arraignment—at which the defendant enters a plea—the case proceeds through pretrial discovery, pretrial motions, and pretrial conferences. The prosecutor may offer a plea agreement at any stage. If no agreement is reached, the case proceeds to trial. Upon conviction, the judge imposes a sentence that may include incarceration, probation, fines, restitution, community service, or a combination thereof.
Important Contacts:
Boone County Sheriff's Office
200 State Street, Madison, WV 25130
Phone: (304) 369-7340
Boone County Sheriff's Office
Boone County Circuit Clerk
100 State Street, Suite 300, Madison, WV 25130
Phone: (304) 369-7330
Boone County Prosecuting Attorney's Office
200 State Street, Madison, WV 25130
Phone: (304) 369-7340
Boone County Public Defender's Office
200 State Street, Madison, WV 25130
Phone: (304) 369-7385
What to Do If You're Arrested:
- Remain calm and cooperative with law enforcement
- Do not physically resist arrest
- Exercise the right to remain silent by politely declining to answer questions
- Request an attorney immediately and do not waive this right
- Do not discuss the case with anyone other than your attorney
- Contact family or friends to assist with bail if needed
- Attend all scheduled court dates without exception
- Comply with all conditions of release
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Boone County?
Records Retention Overview:
Retention of arrest records in Boone County is governed by West Virginia law and the records retention schedules established by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History. Under West Virginia administrative policy, law enforcement agencies are required to maintain records in accordance with approved retention schedules, and destruction of records outside those schedules is prohibited.
Arrest Records Retention by Type:
Felony Convictions: Records are retained permanently by the Sheriff's Office, the Circuit Clerk, the West Virginia State Police criminal history repository, and the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC). These records appear on background checks indefinitely.
Misdemeanor Convictions: Local law enforcement and court records are retained permanently or for a minimum of ten years, depending on the offense classification. The state repository retains these records as part of the individual's permanent criminal history.
Dismissed Charges and Acquittals: Arrest records associated with dismissed charges or acquittals may remain in local law enforcement databases and court records unless the subject obtains an expungement order. The state repository retains these records until notified of an expungement.
Charges Not Filed: Booking records for arrests where no charges were filed are retained for a minimum of five years at the local level and may be eligible for expungement upon petition to the circuit court.
Digital vs. Physical Records:
Digital records maintained in records management systems and court electronic filing systems are retained on a permanent basis in most instances. Physical booking paperwork, fingerprint cards, and photographs are retained according to the applicable retention schedule, which ranges from five years for minor offenses to permanent for serious felonies. Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) records are retained for a minimum of three years.
Third-Party Databases:
Commercial background check companies and third-party websites may retain arrest records indefinitely and are not subject to the same update requirements as government agencies. The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires that consumer reporting agencies maintain reasonable procedures to ensure accuracy, but expungement of a record at the government level does not guarantee automatic removal from all private databases.
Effect of Disposition on Retention:
- Conviction: Permanent retention in all government databases; appears on background checks indefinitely
- Dismissal: Remains in databases unless expunged; not always reported on standard background checks
- Expungement: Local records destroyed or sealed; state repository updated; FBI database may retain with a notation; removal from all systems may take several months
- No charges filed: Shortest retention period; may be purged automatically after five years or upon petition
Impact on Background Checks:
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, most employment background checks cover a seven-year period for non-conviction records. Convictions may be reported indefinitely. West Virginia does not currently impose additional restrictions on the reporting period beyond federal requirements. Arrests without convictions may not be used as the sole basis for adverse employment decisions in certain regulated industries.
How to Check Retention Status:
Members of the public may contact the Boone County Sheriff's Office Records Division at (304) 369-7340 to inquire about the retention status of a specific arrest record. A formal public records request submitted under the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act may be required, and applicable copy fees may apply.