West Virginia Circuit Courts

The West Virginia Circuit Court is a court in West Virginia. The state's 55 counties are divided into 30 circuits with 80 circuit judges.

Jurisdiction

West Virginia’s circuit courts are the only general jurisdiction trial courts of record. These circuit courts have total jurisdiction over all civil cases at law over $300; all civil cases in equity; proceedings in habeas corpus, mandamus, quo warranto, prohibition, and certiorari; and all felonies and misdemeanors. West Virginia circuit courts receive appeals from magistrate courts, municipal courts, and administrative agencies, excluding workers’ compensation appeals. The circuit courts also hear appeals from family court decisions unless both parties agree to appeal directly to the Supreme Court of Appeals. The circuit courts also receive recommended orders from judicial officers who hear mental hygiene and juvenile matters. The Supreme Court of Appeals receives appeals of circuit court decisions.

Judges

The size of West Virginia circuit courts is determined by the West Virginia State Legislature. Circuit court judges are elected in nonpartisan elections to eight-year terms. The governor appoints circuit judges to fill vacancies.

Judicial Circuits

West Virginia Circuit Courts

Judicial Circuit	Counties Served
First Judicial Circuit	Brooke, Hancock and Ohio
Second Judicial Circuit	Marshall, Tyler and Wetzel
Third Judicial Circuit	Doddridge, Pleasants, Ritchie, and Wirt
Fourth Judicial Circuit	Wood
Fifth Judicial Circuit	Calhoun, Jackson, Mason and Roane
Sixth Judicial Circuit	Cabell
Seventh Judicial Circuit	Putnam
Eighth Judicial Circuit	Kanawha
Ninth Judicial Circuit	Boone and Lincoln
Tenth Judicial Circuit	Wayne
Eleventh Judicial Circuit	Logan and Mingo
Twelfth Judicial Circuit	McDowell and Wyoming
Thirteenth Judicial Circuit	Mercer
Fourteenth Judicial Circuit	Raleigh
Fifteenth Judicial Circuit	Fayette
Sixteenth Judicial Circuit	Nicholas
Seventeenth Judicial Circuit	Braxton, Clay, Gilmer, and Webster
Eighteenth Judicial Circuit	Lewis and Upshur
Nineteenth Judicial Circuit	Harrison
Twentieth Judicial Circuit	Marion
Twenty-First Judicial Circuit	Monongalia
Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit	Preston and Tucker
Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit	Barbour and Taylor
Twenty-Fourth Judicial Circuit	Randolph
Twenty-Fifth Judicial Circuit	Grant and Mineral
Twenty-Sixth Judicial Circuit	Hampshire, Hardy, and Pendleton
Twenty-Seventh Judicial Circuit	Berkeley and Morgan
Twenty-Eighth Judicial Circuit	Jefferson
Twenty-Ninth Judicial Circuit	Greenbrier and Pocahontas
Thirtieth Judicial Circuit	Monroe and Summers

See also

• Courts in West Virginia
• Judicial selection in West Virginia

External links

• West Virginia Court System
• West Virginia Circuit Court Map
• West Virginia Court Records