Monongalia County
Monongalia County is West Virginia's third-largest county by population. As of 2020, it had at least 105,822 residents. The county was established on October 9, 1776, and its seat is the City of Morgantown. Its total land area measures 360 square miles.
Monongalia County's Circuit Court, Magistrate Court, Family Court, and Municipal Courts are responsible for providing judicial services to its residents. The Circuit Court hears all civil and criminal cases in the county. Typically, cases like felonies, misdemeanors, civil equity cases, and general civil claims that exceed $300 in dispute fall under its purview. It also addresses probate matters, juvenile delinquency, and child abuse cases. Monongalia County Magistrate Court conducts pre-trial hearings for felonies and hears misdemeanors, landlord-tenant disputes, and civil claims valued over $5,000. It also has the jurisdiction to issue emergency domestic violence protective orders. The Family Court has jurisdiction over domestic relations cases, such as guardianships, divorces, annulments, paternity, and child welfare cases. The Municipal Courts hear cases related to the violation of municipal ordinances and traffic offenses. They are located in Blacksville, Granville, Morgantown, Star City, and Westover.
Monongalia County public court records are legal documents about a case heard in the county. They include docket numbers, court orders, judgments, case transcripts, and exhibits tendered in the case. These records provide detailed accounts of legal proceedings and their outcomes, serving as crucial resources for individuals seeking information about court cases and the legal system. Per the provisions of Chapter 29B of the West Virginia Code, court records in the county must be open to public inspection. These records are maintained by the Monongalia County Clerk of Courts. Examples of public court records to which the county provides access include:
- Civil records
- Criminal records
- Family records
- Property records
- Probate records
Note, however, that not all court records are accessible to the public. §29B-1-4 of the West Virginia Code contains a list of court records that are designated as confidential. Examples of confidential records include records that are exempted from disclosure due to a court order. Other examples include personal, medical, or private data whose disclosure would lead to an invasion of privacy.
To obtain public court records in the county, requesters can conduct a search online using the records search portal maintained by the Monongalia County court clerk. Alternatively, the records can be obtained by sending a request by mail to the Clerk's Office or by visiting in person.
In Monongalia County, the costs for obtaining court records are outlined in the County Clerk's fee schedule. Obtaining uncertified copies of court documents costs $1.00 per page, while certified copies incur an additional fee of $5.00. Furthermore, if assistance is needed for record searches, a research fee of $5.00 applies.
