Below is a general overview of when juvenile records can be sealed in West Virginia. Please note that the Clean Slate Clearinghouse does not provide legal advice.
Read the legal policies and statutes for detailed statutory information.
Juvenile Record Clearance Policies Overview
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Records relating to a misdemeanor conviction or convictions arising from the same transaction committed while the petitioner was between the ages of 18 and 26 can be expunged by the court one year after sentence completion, so long as the petitioner meets specified criteria. W. Va. Code § 61-11-26(a), (b).
View DetailsRecords relating to an offense for which the petitioner received a full and unconditional pardon from the governor can be expunged by the court no sooner than five years after sentence completion and one year after receipt of the pardon. W. Va. Code §§ 5-1-16a(a), (c), (d).
View DetailsRecords relating to a non-violent felony conviction can be expunged by the court after five years. W. Va. Code §61-11-26.
View DetailsRecords relating to multiple misdemeanor convictions can be expunged by the court after two years. W. Va. Code §61-11-26.
View DetailsRecords relating to one misdemeanor conviction can be expunged by the court after one year. W. Va. Code §61-11-26.
View DetailsRecords relating to a case that is dismissed pursuant to section 60-6-26 can be expunged by the court six months after probation is completed. W. Va. Code § 60-6-26(e).
View DetailsRecords relating to a case that is dismissed pursuant to 60A-4-407 can be expunged by the court six months after probation completion. W. Va. Code § 60A-4-407(b).
View DetailsFingerprints and photographs taken in response to an arrest or detention for which the petitioner is later acquitted can be returned upon request, so long as the petitioner has no prior criminal record. W. Va. Code § 15-2-24(h).
View DetailsRecords relating to an arrest or charge resulting in acquittal or dismissal can be expunged by the court 60 days after the order of acquittal or dismissal, so long as petitioner has no prior criminal record. W. Va. Code § 61-11-25(a), (b).
View DetailsRecords relating to a juvenile delinquency proceeding will be sealed one year after the juvenile's 18th birthday or one year after personal or juvenile jurisdiction of the court is terminated, whichever is later. W. Va. Rules of Juv. Proc., Rule 50(a).
View DetailsRecords relating to a juvenile proceeding transferred to criminal jurisdiction shall be sealed if the juvenile is subsequently acquitted of the offense, found guilty only of an offense other than the offense upon which the transfer or waiver was based, or the offense upon which the transfer or waiver was based was subsequently dismissed. W. Va. Rules of Juv. Proc., Rule 50(b).
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