The juvenile justice system in West Virginia is administered through a combination of state juvenile corrections agencies and county-operated juvenile courts and probation departments, each focused on rehabilitation and preventing future offending by youth.
Parents and guardians of youth involved in the West Virginia juvenile justice system should engage proactively with their child's probation officer, attend all court hearings, and explore available diversion programs that could prevent formal adjudication on the youth's record.
Parents in West Virginia whose child is involved with the juvenile justice system should familiarize themselves with their state's expungement and sealing laws, which may allow juvenile records to be cleared once the youth reaches adulthood and meets other eligibility requirements.