Data You Give Us Directly
Search Queries
A name, case number, or other term entered in a search box is sent directly to the outside company operating that tool. The provider processes the query and supplies its response. Mercer County Court Docket does not keep or log those search terms on its own systems.
Messages and Contact Submissions
An email sent to us may be retained long enough to respond and maintain the related correspondence. We keep such messages within our organization unless disclosure is required by law.
Data We Gather Automatically
When a page loads, server and analytics systems may automatically record basic technical information about the visit:
- page-view dates and times;
- the referring website, when one is available;
- browser type and version;
- device category and operating system;
- pages viewed and time spent on them; and
- the internet protocol address used by the device.
Cookies and Analytics
Cookies are small files saved on a device. They and analytics services help measure aggregate use, such as popular pages and where visits end. Browser controls can block or remove cookies, although disabling them may change how some features behave.
What We Do With This Data
- route a submitted search to the selected outside provider;
- operate, secure, and improve website performance;
- diagnose errors and other technical faults;
- understand which Mercer County reference pages are useful; and
- display advertising that may reflect visitor interests.
No Court-Record Data on File
Mercer County Court Docket does not host, compile, sell, or maintain a personal court-record database. Its reference pages identify official Circuit, Family, Magistrate, municipal, and federal access routes. Visitor data is not combined into case files or consumer reports, and the website is not a consumer reporting agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Third-Party Search Partners
Outside companies operate the search boxes. Information submitted there is governed by that provider's privacy policy, retention practices, and sharing rules rather than this policy. We do not control those practices. Review the applicable provider policy before entering a query.
Links to Other Websites
Links may lead to West Virginia court portals, Mercer County clerk information, legal-aid resources, or outside search services. Once a visitor follows a link, the destination's privacy terms govern. Read those terms before disclosing personal information.
Advertising companies may use their own technology to measure activity across websites and select ads. Such tracking occurs through their systems.
Who Might See Your Data
We do not sell personal information. Data may nevertheless be disclosed to:
- analytics vendors measuring traffic and performance;
- search providers processing a query;
- advertising networks serving content; or
- government or law-enforcement authorities acting under a valid legal demand.
How We Protect Your Data
Reasonable security practices are used to protect collected information. No internet transmission or storage system can be guaranteed completely secure, so we cannot promise that unauthorized access will never occur.
Users Under 18
The website is intended for adults, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone younger than 18. If we learn that a minor supplied such data, we will remove it.
Your Data Rights
West Virginia privacy and consumer-protection law may grant further rights in personal data. The West Virginia Freedom of Information Act at W.Va. Code ยง29B-1-3 governs specific requests made to public custodians, not this private website. Court electronic records are also subject to West Virginia Trial Court Rules 10.04 and 15A.25-26. At a minimum, you may:
- request access to personal information held about you;
- ask that inaccurate information be corrected;
- seek deletion of applicable data; and
- opt out of certain processing where that right applies.
Updates to This Policy
This privacy policy may be revised as practices or legal requirements change. A revised version will appear here with an updated effective date, and continued use will be subject to the posted policy.
Effective date: September 7, 2026