Online Theft Awareness Classes in West Virginia

If you were told to complete a Theft Awareness class for a West Virginia case, diversion, or probation, CourtCure offers convenient 4, 8, 12, and 16‑hour online options focused on accountability, consequences, restitution, decision‑making, impulse control, and prevention. Because approval is set locally in West Virginia, your first step is to confirm the hours and whether an online course is acceptable with your judge, prosecutor, attorney, or supervising officer. Once you have the green light, enroll in the matching course length and work at your pace on any device. When you finish, you’ll be able to access completion documentation for submission according to your authority’s instructions. This page highlights West Virginia‑specific context—how misdemeanor shoplifting and larceny cases are handled, how restitution and merchant penalties fit in, and where diversion or deferred adjudication may apply—so you know what to verify before you start. ([courtswv.gov](https://www.courtswv.gov/lower-courts/magistrate-courts?utm_source=openai))

West Virginia handles most misdemeanor theft and shoplifting matters in magistrate courts, while circuit courts have jurisdiction over felonies and certain misdemeanors. Knowing which court has your case helps you identify who must approve any class and how to submit completion documents. ([courtswv.gov](https://www.courtswv.gov/lower-courts/magistrate-courts?utm_source=openai)) State law distinguishes between shoplifting and general larceny. Shoplifting has its own penalties and includes a mandatory civil penalty payable to the merchant upon conviction, separate from any fines or jail time set by the court. Depending on prior convictions and the value of the merchandise, penalties can range from fines to incarceration, and the court must order the statutory merchant penalty in addition to other sanctions. ([code.wvlegislature.gov](https://code.wvlegislature.gov/61-3A-3/?utm_source=openai)) For non‑shoplifting theft, West Virginia law sets the line between petit and grand larceny at $1,000: taking goods valued at $1,000 or more is grand larceny (a felony), while less than $1,000 is petit larceny (a misdemeanor). Your charge type can influence whether the decision‑maker is a magistrate, a circuit judge, a prosecutor (for diversion), or a probation/day report program after sentencing. ([code.wvlegislature.gov](https://code.wvlegislature.gov/61-3-13/?utm_source=openai)) Courts may order restitution to victims at sentencing to cover economic losses, and disputes over the amount are resolved by the court. Educational programs like Theft Awareness courses do not replace restitution or any merchant penalty; they are separate obligations you may need to complete on parallel timelines. Always confirm with your court or supervising officer what proof of payment and what completion document they require, and by what deadline. ([code.wvlegislature.gov](https://code.wvlegislature.gov/61-11A-4/?utm_source=openai))

There is no single statewide rule in West Virginia that requires or approves a specific Theft Awareness provider. Whether an online class will be accepted is decided by the requesting authority—often a magistrate or circuit court, a prosecutor as part of diversion, or a probation officer/day report program. Before you enroll, contact the authority that assigned the class and confirm: required hours (4, 8, 12, or 16), whether an online, self‑paced course is acceptable, the deadline, and what documentation they want at completion. If your case involves shoplifting or larceny, ask whether proof of restitution or any merchant penalty receipts must be submitted separately, as education programs do not replace those obligations. Keep a record of your approval (email or written note) with your case file.