How Do The West Virginia Circuit Courts Work?

The West Virginia court system comprises 31 judicial circuits. Circuit Courts are the only general jurisdiction courts in the state’s court system. These courts have jurisdiction over all criminal and civil cases heard in the state of West Virginia, and they typically handle the following types of cases:

• All felonies and misdemeanor cases
• Civil matters involving more than $300
• All civil cases in equity
• Civil cases at law involving over $7,500
• Proceedings in habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto, and certiorari
• Proceedings involving juvenile delinquency, child abuse, and neglect

In addition to this, Circuit Courts receive orders from judicial officers on matters involving mental hygiene and juvenile cases. Circuit Courts also hear appeals from other lower courts, and any of the state’s administrative agencies. This does not include:

• Appeals related to worker’s compensation. (The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has exclusive jurisdiction over these types of cases)
• Family Court cases where both parties agree to appeal directly to the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals

Criminal cases heard in these courts are typically by jury, and civil cases can also involve juries. However, in criminal cases that require a trial by jury, the defendant can choose to waive the jury trial.

Sentencing orders in West Virginia Circuit Court criminal case prosecutions are typically issued within eight months after the date of indictment or information. This includes the date of arrest or the date of service of summons for misdemeanor prosecutions. For Civil cases, final judgments are typically issued within 18 months after the lawsuit was filed. However, for civil cases that do not involve a money judgment, this timeframe is reduced to six months. Decisions rendered in Circuit Courts can be appeale ande’s Supreme Court of Appeals.

Each judicial circuit in the Alabama court system comprises at least one county, with some Circuits having as many as four. However, each of the state’s 55 counties has a courthouse where a circuit judge can preside over cases. The West Virginia court system has a total of 75 circuit judges that are elected in non-partisan elections to eight-year terms. Only individuals who have practiced law in West Virginia for a minimum of five years are eligible for election to become a Circuit Court judge. In situations where a Circuit Court judge cannot complete an elected term, a replacement judge is appointed by the governor until the next election.

Records of West Virginia Circuit Court cases are public records. Members of the public that wish to access these records may do so by contacting the office of Circuit Clerk in the county where the court is located. However, requestors may be required to pay a fee before copies of these records can be obtained.

Circuit Courts can be found at the following locations:

Barbour County Circuit Court

Barbour County Courthouse

26 North Main Street

Philippi, WV 26416

Phone: (304) 457–3454 ext. 211

Berkeley County Circuit Court

Berkeley County Judicial Center

380 West South Street

Martinsburg, WV 25401

Phone: (304) 264–1918

Boone County Circuit Court

Boone County Courthouse

200 State Street

Madison, WV 25130

Phone: (304) 369–7321

Braxton County Circuit Court

Braxton County Courthouse

300 Main Street

Sutton, WV 26601

Phone: (304) 765–2837

Brooke County Circuit Court

Brooke County Courthouse

632 Main Street

P. O. Box 474

Wellsburg, WV 26070

Phone: (304) 737–3662

Cabell County Circuit Court

Cabell County Courthouse

750 5th Avenue

P. O. Box 545

Huntington, WV 25710

Phone: (304) 526–8622

Calhoun County Circuit Court

Calhoun County Courthouse

363 Main Street

P. O. Box 266

Grantsville, WV 26147

Phone: (304) 354–6910

Clay County Circuit Court

Clay County Courthouse

246 Main Street

P. O. Box 129

Clay, WV 25043

Phone: (304) 587–4256

Doddridge County Circuit Court

Doddridge County Courthouse

118 East Court Street

West Union, WV 26456

Phone: (304) 873–2331

Fayette County Circuit Court

Fayette County Courthouse

100 North Court Street

Fayetteville, WV 25840

Phone: (304) 574–4249

Gilmer County Circuit Court

Gilmer County Courthouse

10 Howard Street

Glenville, WV 26351

Phone: (304) 462–7241

Grant County Circuit Court

Grant County Courthouse

5 Highland Avenue

Petersburg, WV 26847

Phone: (304) 257–4545

Greenbrier County Circuit Court

Greenbrier County Courthouse

200 Court Street North

Lewisburg, WV 24901

Phone: (304) 647–6626

Hampshire County Circuit Court

Hampshire County Judicial Center

50 South High Street

P. O. Box 343, Romney, WV 26757

Phone: (304) 822–5022

Hancock County Circuit Court

Hancock County Courthouse

102 North Court Street

P. O. Box 428

New Cumberland, WV 26047

Phone: (304) 564–3311

Hardy County Circuit Court

Hardy County Courthouse

204 Washington Street

Room 237

Moorefield, WV 26836

Phone: (304) 530–0230

Harrison County Circuit Court

Harrison County Courthouse

301 West Main Street

Clarksburg, WV 26301

Phone: (304) 624–8640

Jackson County Circuit Court

Jackson County Courthouse

100 Court Street

P. O. Box 427

Ripley, WV 25271

Phone: (304) 373–2210

Jefferson County Circuit Court

Jefferson County Old Jail Annex

119 North George Street

P. O. Box 1234

Charles Town, WV 25414

Phone: (304) 728–3231

Kanawha County Circuit Court

Kanawha County Judicial Building

111 Court Street

Charleston, WV 25301

Phone: (304) 357–0440

Lewis County Circuit Court

117 Court Avenue

P. O. Box 69

Weston, WV 26452

Phone: (304) 269–8210

Lincoln County Circuit Court

Lincoln County Courthouse

8000 Court Avenue

P. O. Box 338

Hamlin, WV 25523

Phone: (304) 824–7990 ext. 239

Logan County Circuit Court

Logan County Courthouse

300 Stratton Street

Logan, WV 25601

Phone: (304) 792–8550

Marion County Circuit Court

Marion County Courthouse

219 Adams Street

Room 211

Fairmont, WV 26554

Phone: (304) 367–5360

Marshall County Circuit Court

Marshall County Courthouse

600 7th Street

Room 127

Moundsville, WV 26041

Phone: (304) 845–2130

Mason County Circuit Court

Mason County Courthouse

200 6th Street

Point Pleasant, WV 25550

Phone: (304) 675–4400

McDowell County Circuit Court

McDowell County Courthouse

90 Wyoming Street

Suite 201

Welch, WV 24801

Phone: (304) 436–8535

Mercer County Circuit Court

Mercer County Courthouse

1501 Main Street

Princeton, WV 24740

Phone: (304) 487–8323

Mineral County Circuit Court

Mineral County Courthouse

150 Armstrong Street

Keyser, WV 26726

Phone: (304) 788–1562

Mingo County Circuit Court

Mingo County Courthouse

75 East 2nd Avenue

P. O. Box 435

Williamson, WV 25661

Phone: (304) 235–0320

Monongalia County Circuit Court

Monongalia County Courthouse

243 High Street

Room 110

Morgantown, WV 26505

Phone: (304) 291–7240

Monroe County Circuit Court

Monroe County Courthouse

216 Main Street

P. O. Box 350

Union, WV 24983

Phone: (304) 772–3017

Morgan County Circuit Court

Morgan County Courthouse

77 Fairfax Street

Room 302

Berkeley Springs, WV 25411

Phone: (304) 258–8554

Nicholas County Circuit Court

Nicholas County Courthouse

700 Main Street

Suite 5

Summersville, WV 26651

Phone: (304) 872–7810

Ohio County Circuit Court

Ohio County Courthouse

1500 Chapline Street

Wheeling, WV 26003

Phone: (304) 234–3611

Pleasants County Circuit Court

Pleasants County Courthouse

301 Court Lane

St. Marys, WV 26170

Phone: (304) 684–3513

Pendleton County Circuit Court

Pendleton County Courthouse

100 South Main Street

P. O. Box 846

Franklin, WV 26807

Phone: (304) 358–7067

Pocahontas County Circuit Court

Pocahontas County Courthouse

900 10th Avenue

Suite D

Marlinton, WV 24954

Phone: (304) 799–4604

Preston County Circuit Court

Preston County Courthouse

101 West Main Street

Room 301

Kingwood, WV 26537

Phone: (304) 329–0047

Putnam County Circuit Court

Putnam County Judicial Building

12093 Winfield Road

Winfield, WV 25213

Phone: (304) 586–0203

Raleigh County Circuit Court

Raleigh County Judicial Center

222 Main Street

P. O. Box 2518

Beckley, WV 25801

Phone: (304) 255–9135

Randolph County Circuit Court

Randolph County Courthouse

2 Randolph Avenue

Elkins, WV 26241

Phone: (304) 636–2765

Ritchie County Circuit Court

Ritchie County Courthouse

115 East Main Street

Room 301

Harrisville, WV 26362

Phone: (304) 643–2164 ext. 229

Roane County Circuit Court

Roane County Courthouse

200 Main Street

Spencer, WV 25276

Phone: (304) 927–2750

Summers County Circuit Court

Summers County Courthouse

120 Ballengee Street

Hinton, WV 25951

Phone: (304) 466–7103

Taylor County Circuit Court

Taylor County Courthouse

214 West Main Street

Room 104

Grafton, WV 26354

Phone: (304) 265–2480

Tucker County Circuit Court

Tucker County Courthouse

211 1st Street

Suite 407

Parsons, WV 26287

Phone: (304) 478–2606 ext. 202

Tyler County Circuit Court

Tyler County Courthouse

121 Main Street

P. O. Box 8

Middlebourne, WV 26149

Phone: (304) 758–4811

Upshur County Circuit Court

Upshur County Courthouse Annex

38 West Main Street

Room 304

Buckhannon, WV 26201

Phone: (304) 472–2370

Wayne County Circuit Court

Wayne County Courthouse

700 Hendricks Street

P. O. Box 38

Wayne, WV 25570

Phone: (304) 272–5359 (Criminal, Adoption, Mental Hygiene, Guardianship)

Phone: (304) 272–6360 (Civil, Juvenile, Minor Guardianship)

Webster County Circuit Court

Webster County Courthouse

2 Court Square, Room G4

Webster Springs, WV 26288

Phone: (304) 847–2421

Wetzel County Circuit Court

Wetzel County Courthouse

200 Main Street

P. O. Box 263

New Martinsville, WV 26155

Phone: (304) 455–8219

Wirt County Circuit Court

Wirt County Courthouse

1 Court Street

P. O. Box 465

Elizabeth, WV 26143

Phone: (304) 275–6597

Wood County Circuit Court

Wood County Judicial Office

2 Government Square

Parkersburg, WV 26101

Phone: (304) 424–1700

Wyoming County Circuit Court

Wyoming County Courthouse

24 Main Avenue

P. O. Box 190

Pineville, WV 24874

Phone: (304) 732–8000