Court records in Kanawha County, West Virginia, are maintained by the clerks of the circuit court and magistrate court and are accessible through online portals, official court systems, and directly at the court office. KanawhaCourt.us will help you find public information about court cases in this county. Additional sources include the West Virginia Judiciary court record access portal, the Kanawha County Clerk's Office, and the offices of the respective courts.
Kanawha Court System Overview
Kanawha County is the only county within the Eighth Judicial Circuit of West Virginia. In the family court system, the county forms the Eleventh Family Court Circuit. The Circuit Court handles serious criminal and civil cases, while the Magistrate Court is a court of limited jurisdiction dealing with less serious offenses, small claims, and preliminary hearings. Both courts are located in the Kanawha County Courthouse in Charleston.
The court office hours are typically Monday through Friday, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding public holidays.
Courts Serving Kanawha
Residents of the county are served by several courts with different levels of jurisdiction:
Kanawha County Circuit Court
Kanawha County Magistrate Court
Kanawha County Family Court
Charleston Municipal Court
The Charleston Municipal Court handles violations of city ordinances and minor offenses within the city. More detailed information can be found on the Charleston Municipal Court page.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia
The federal court handles cases of federal jurisdiction. Federal case records are available through the PACER system.
What Types of Cases Kanawha Courts Hear
The county courts hear a wide range of cases. Below are the main categories — details are revealed in the following sections.
- Felonies
- Misdemeanors and infractions
- Civil lawsuits of various scales
- Small claims
- Family law: divorce, custody, alimony
- Probate, guardianship, conservatorship
- Juvenile and child protection cases
- Traffic violations and DUI
- Adoption
District Court Cases in Kanawha
In West Virginia, the role of the "district court" is performed by the Circuit Court — a court of general jurisdiction. This is where serious criminal cases go after a preliminary hearing in the magistrate court (bindover). The Circuit Court also hears civil lawsuits exceeding the jurisdictional limit of the magistrate court, appeals from magistrate decisions, and post-criminal proceedings.
Cases are distributed among the circuit court judges. Criminal proceedings begin with a grand jury indictment, after which the defendant appears before a Circuit Court judge for arraignment. Civil cases are initiated by filing a complaint with the clerk's office. Circuit Court records for all 55 counties in the state are available through the Court Record Access page on the West Virginia Judiciary website.
Magistrate Court Cases in Kanawha
The magistrate court is the first point of contact for most people with the court system. Magistrates handle:
- Misdemeanors and minor offenses
- Preliminary hearings in felony cases
- Civil claims up to $10,000
- Small claims up to $5,000
- Traffic violations
- Arraignment and DUI hearings
Due to the high workload in the county, magistrates may specialize in specific categories of cases. Free online search for magistrate court cases is available through the Magistrate Case Record Search system. To obtain copies of documents, you need to call or visit the magistrate court office in the county where the case was filed.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Kanawha
Family Law
Divorce, child custody, alimony, paternity, protective orders, and termination of parental rights cases are handled by the Family Court within the Eleventh Family Court Circuit. Family court judge decisions can be appealed to the Circuit Court.
Probate
Inheritance, wills, and the appointment of guardians and conservatorships are handled by the Kanawha County Clerk. Clerk Vera J. McCormick performs the functions of the probate clerk — she should be contacted to open a probate case or obtain copies of relevant documents.
Juvenile Matters
Proceedings under the Juvenile Justice Act and child protection cases (Child Protective Act) are handled by the Circuit Court. Juvenile case records are confidential under state law. Birth, marriage, and other vital records are maintained by the Vital Registration Office at DHHR.
How Cases Move Through the Kanawha Court System
- Case Initiation. Criminal proceedings begin with a criminal complaint or indictment. A civil case starts with the filing of a complaint or petition.
- Judge Assignment. The court office assigns the case to judges according to internal rules.
- Initial Hearings. In criminal cases — arraignment, where the charges are read to the defendant, and they state their position. In civil cases — a scheduling conference to set deadlines.
- Pre-Trial Phase. Parties file motions, conduct discovery. In criminal cases, plea negotiations may occur.
- Trial or Resolution. The case concludes with a jury verdict, guilty plea, settlement, or default judgment.
- Post-Trial Phase. Sentencing, filing an appeal, or enforcing the court's decision.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Kanawha
The administrative management of the county courts is carried out by the chief judge of the Eighth Judicial Circuit in conjunction with the court administrator. Local court rules and court forms are posted on the official West Virginia Judiciary website.
Public access to court records is governed by the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act. According to §29B-1-3 of the WV Code, every person has the right to inspect or copy public records of a public body, except as expressly provided by law. Juvenile cases, sealed cases, and some family proceedings remain confidential.
Hearings are usually open to the public. Visitors may attend in person at the Kanawha County Courthouse courtroom. For remote participation possibilities, it is worth clarifying directly with the court office at (304) 357-0130.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Kanawha
- Circuit Court Record Search — the Court Records Access portal allows searching for circuit court records for all 55 counties in the state.
- Magistrate Court Record Search — Magistrate Case Record Search provides free online access to magistrate court case information by last name or case number.
- County Information — the Kanawha County page on the judiciary website contains contact information for courts and judges.
- County Clerk and Public Records — the Kanawha County Clerk's Office maintains records of real estate, marriages, wills, and other legal documents. Clerk: Vera McCormick, phone (304) 357-0130.
- Arrest Warrant Search — the Kanawha County Sheriff's warrant database is regularly updated. 24-hour line: (304) 357-0169.
- Inmate Search in Regional Jails — the OIS Search system allows finding information about individuals held in WV Regional Jail Authority facilities.
- Convict Search in Correctional Facilities — the Offender Search of the WV Division of Corrections provides access to data on inmates in state prisons and daily admissions.
- South Central Regional Jail — the facility in Kanawha County is located at 1001 Centre Way, Charleston, WV 25309.
- Real Estate Assessment — the WV Real Estate Assessment and WV Property Viewer contain data on land parcels and tax assessments in the county.
- Vital Records — birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are maintained by the Vital Registration Office of the state.
- Federal Court Records — for cases heard in the U.S. District Court, use the PACER system.
- Court Forms and Self-Help Resources — filing forms are available on the main page of the West Virginia Judiciary in the Court Forms section.