The 2026 Second Chance Index
How West Virginia ranks for second chances
West Virginia ranks 32nd of 51 (tied) in the 2026 Second Chance Index, scoring 57.5 out of 100 for clearing a record, voting rights and where its felony line falls. That's 4 points below the median state (61.5). It shares the rank with Arkansas.
Built from West Virginia's record-clearing, voting and felony-class records, last checked October 29, 2026. General information, not legal advice.
57.5 out of 100
- Clearing a record
- 33.5 / 50
- Voting rights
- 14 / 30
- Where the felony line falls
- 10 / 20
Every point West Virginia earned and missed
Each line is a field we publish about West Virginia, checked against state law and official guidance. The points are the index's; the method lists every one.
Clearing a record
33.5 of 50 points| What we score | West Virginia | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Some records clear automatically | You have to apply | 0/15 |
| A general route to clear a felony | Yes | 12/12 |
| A general route to clear a misdemeanor | Yes | 8/8 |
| A way to clear a case with no conviction | Yes | 8/8 |
| A fee waiver on at least one route | Yes | 4/4 |
| A DUI conviction can be cleared | In some cases | 1.5/3 |
Voting rights
14 of 30 points| What we score | West Virginia | Points |
|---|---|---|
| When the vote comes back after a felony | After the sentence | 14/30 |
Where the felony line falls
10 of 20 points| What we score | West Virginia | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Theft becomes a felony at | $1,000 | 5/10 |
| Repeat DUI becomes a felony | From the 3rd offense | 5/10 |
Where the 42.5 missing points are
- 16When the vote comes back after a felony: After the sentence
- 15Some records clear automatically: You have to apply
- 5Theft becomes a felony at: $1,000
- 5Repeat DUI becomes a felony: From the 3rd offense
- 1.5A DUI conviction can be cleared: In some cases
The index scores what state law says, not how courts apply it. A lower score doesn't mean West Virginia offers no relief; its pages list every route.
States ranked near West Virginia
Cite this page
Second Chance Index, "How West Virginia ranks for second chances" https://secondchanceindex.com/state-rankings/west-virginia, checked October 29, 2026.