Ohio County
Ohio County was founded in the year 1776 and was given its name based on the Ohio River because it makes up the Western edge of the county. Wheeling is one of the largest cities overall in West Virginia and also the county seat. Wheeling was the state capital at one point as well. Ohio County spans 105.8 square miles of land and has an estimated population of 42,425 residents. The Ohio County court system comprises a Circuit Court, a Magistrate Court, a Family Court, and five Municipal Courts.
The Ohio County Circuit Court serves as the only general jurisdiction trial court in West Virginia. The court has the authority to preside over a wide range of cases, including juvenile matters, felonies, misdemeanors, and appeals from lower courts, such as magistrate and municipal courts. Additionally, the Circuit Court handles equity cases, such as divorce and property disputes, as well as issues related to mental health commitments and guardianships. The Ohio County Magistrate Court has authority over civil cases involving disputes of less than $10,000. It handles misdemeanor cases and conducts preliminary hearings for felony matters. In criminal cases, magistrates issue and record affidavits, complaints, arrest warrants, and search warrants.
The Ohio County Family Court handles cases related to annulment, paternity, and family support matters, excluding cases involving child abuse and neglect. The court also presides over final hearings in domestic violence civil proceedings. The Ohio County Municipal Courts typically handle cases involving city ordinance violations, traffic offenses, and other minor legal matters within the municipality.
Ohio County court records are official documents about legal proceedings within Circuit, Magistrate, Family, and Municipal Courts. These records contain information such as complaints, evidence, judgments, and transcripts. Ohio County court records include the following:
- Probate Records
- Civil Records
- Criminal Records
- Family Records
- Juvenile Records
In Ohio County, court records are accessible to the public unless sealed by the court due to privacy concerns, such as cases involving minors or sensitive family matters. Court records may be accessed in person by visiting the courthouse at:
City County Building, Suite 215
1500 Chapline Street
Wheeling, WV 26003
Phone: (304) 234-3628
