Putnam County
Putnam County was created in 1848 by the Virginia General Assembly and named in honor of Major General Israel Putnam, an officer in the American War of Independence. It has a land area of about 346 square miles in West Virginia, with a population of 57,347 residents. The City of Winfield serves as the county seat, while the most populous city is Hurricane.
Putnam County's judicial system consists of four trial courts, including the Circuit, Magistrate, Family, and Municipal Courts. As the county's general jurisdiction court, the Circuit Court exercises exclusive authority over proceedings in habeas corpus, mandamus, and quo warranto. It also hears all felony trials, civil cases where the amount in controversy is over $10,000, and land title disputes. Circuit Court judges can modify or review judgments from other trial courts in Putnam County. The Family Court has jurisdiction over domestic violence cases, divorces, parentage lawsuits, and child custody cases. On the other hand, the county's Magistrate Court handles misdemeanors, felony pre-trials, and civil lawsuits involving up to $10,000 in financial settlements. Small claims cases and property rental disputes are also within the Magistrate Court's jurisdiction. Putnam County's Municipal Courts typically preside over civil violations and traffic offenses.
Putnam County public court records are documents created during legal proceedings in the county's trial courts. These records, usually maintained by the Circuit Clerk, contain court details such as testimonies, motions, names of involved parties, judgments, witness lists, and complaints. The West Virginia Freedom Of Information Act mandates Putnam County court clerks to provide the following court records to the public:
- Family records
- Probate records
- Estate records
- Criminal court records
- Civil records
- Traffic records
The state's FOI Act restricts access to juvenile, mental health, adoption, and other confidential court records. Special permissions from Putnam County trial courts are required to access restricted documents. To get copies of public court records in Putnam County, requesters can contact the clerk at:
Putnam County Judicial Building
12093 Winfield Road
Winfield, WV 25213
Phone: (304) 586-0203
Email: Stephanie.Smith@courtswv.gov
Court records created in Putnam County are also available online through the West Virginia E-Filing system. The state's online database is available to only registered users and it provides access to records filed in the Circuit and Family Courts. Online users can use the Magistrate Case Record Search to find court documents created in Putnam County's Magistrate Court.
