Data You Give Us Directly
Search Queries
A name or place entered into a search box is sent to the outside company that supplies that search. The provider processes the query and supplies its results. Preston County Criminal History does not keep or record those search terms on its own systems.
Messages and Contact Submissions
If you send us a message, it may be retained long enough to respond and maintain the related correspondence. We do not voluntarily pass that message outside our organization, though disclosure may occur when the law requires it.
Data We Gather Automatically
Our servers receive routine technical data when a page loads, which may include:
- Your device's internet protocol address
- Browser name and version
- Operating system and device category
- Pages viewed and time spent on them
- A referring website, when available
- Date and time information for page requests
Cookies and Analytics
Small cookie files and analytics services help show how the website is used, such as which Preston County pages receive visits and where sessions end. Browser controls can reject cookies. Blocking them may change how some site features work.
What We Do With This Data
Collected data may support the following operations:
- Operating the website and improving load performance
- Passing a search request to the selected outside service
- Measuring which resources visitors use
- Diagnosing bugs, outages, and other technical faults
- Displaying advertising that may reflect visitor interests
No Criminal-Record Data on File
Preston County Criminal History does not create, sell, or maintain a database of personal criminal records. It publishes general directions to official custodians, including the Preston County courts, Sheriff's Office, West Virginia State Police Criminal Identification Bureau, corrections system, and West Virginia State Police Sex Offender Registry. The site is not a consumer reporting agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and visitor data is not assembled into consumer reports about other people. West Virginia repository dissemination is separately limited by W. Va. Code §15-2-24(d), which requires the record subject's written, signed, acknowledged authorization for private dissemination of covered WVSP material.
Third-Party Search Partners
Outside businesses operate the search tools that appear on some pages. Information submitted through such a tool is governed by that company's privacy terms, retention choices, and sharing rules. Those policies are not controlled by Preston County Criminal History. Review the provider's notice before submitting a query.
Links to Other Websites
Links may lead to Preston County offices, West Virginia court systems, state agencies, legal-aid resources, or outside search companies. Once a visitor leaves this website, the destination's privacy policy applies. Read it before providing personal information.
Some advertising providers may use their own systems to track activity across websites for interest-based advertising. We do not control that tracking.
Who Might See Your Data
We do not sell personal information. Data may be available in limited form to:
- Outside search providers that process a query
- Analytics vendors that measure traffic and performance
- Advertising networks that deliver ads
- Government or law-enforcement bodies acting under a valid legal demand
How We Protect Your Data
Reasonable, generally accepted safeguards are used for information under our control. No internet service can guarantee perfect security. Although protective steps are taken, the site cannot promise that a breach or unauthorized access will never occur.
Users Under 18
The website is intended for adults. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone younger than 18. If information from a minor is identified, a request may be made for its deletion.
Your Data Rights
Rights may vary with a visitor's location. West Virginia's Freedom of Information Act, W. Va. Code §29B-1-1 et seq., governs requests to public bodies and does not turn this private site into a government custodian. Subject to the law that applies to a request, a visitor may:
- Ask what personal information we retain
- Request correction of inaccurate data
- Seek deletion of personal data
- Opt out of certain processing where that right applies
Updates to This Policy
This policy may be revised as practices or legal duties change. A new version will appear on this page and will show its effective date.
Effective date: August 11, 2026