§50-1-16. Supervisory Rules
The Supreme Court of Appeals is hereby authorized to promulgate rules to carry out the intent of this chapter and to exercise rule-making authority granted by article VIII of the Constitution of West Virginia. Rules promulgated by the judge of a circuit court, or the chief judge thereof, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter […]
§50-1-17. Reference to Justice of the Peace; Abolition of the Office of Constable
On and after January 1, 1977, the phrase "justice of the peace" and the word "justice," when used in a context meaning "justice of the peace," shall be construed to mean magistrate as created by the provisions of this chapter. At such time the office of constable shall be abolished, and the duties previously performed […]
§50-1-5. Removal From Office; Disciplinary Procedures
A magistrate may be removed from office in the manner provided in section seven, article six, chapter six of this code. In addition to the grounds for removal enumerated in section three, article six, chapter six of this code, a magistrate may be removed from office for conviction of a felony, for conviction of a […]
§50-1-6. Vacancy in Office of Magistrate
Subject to the provisions of section one, article ten, chapter three of this code, when a vacancy occurs in the office of magistrate, the judge of the circuit court, or the chief judge thereof if there is more than one judge of the circuit court, shall fill the same by appointment. At a nonpartisan judicial […]
§50-1-6a. Temporary Appointment of Retired Magistrates
(a) The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals is authorized and empowered to create a panel of senior magistrates to consist of, and to utilize the talent and experience of, retired magistrates of this state. (b) Senior magistrates recalled and assigned to service shall receive per diem compensation set by the Supreme Court of Appeals, […]
§50-1-7. Chief Magistrates; Administrative Responsibility; Additional Duties
The judge of the circuit court, or the chief judge thereof if there is more than one judge of the circuit court, may appoint one of the magistrates, to serve at the will and pleasure of such circuit court judge, as the chief magistrate of the county. The chief magistrate, if there is one, shall […]
§50-1-1. Magistrate Court Created
There is hereby created in each county of this state a magistrate court with such numbers of magistrates for each court as are hereafter provided. There shall be elected by the voters of each county, at the general election to be held in 1976, and in every fourth year thereafter, such number of magistrates as […]
§50-1-2. Number of Magistrates
(a) The number of magistrates to be elected in each county of this state shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of this section. (b) The Supreme Court of Appeals shall conduct or otherwise arrange for a caseload study of the magistrate courts of this state for the purpose of determining how many magistrates […]
§50-1-2a. Addition of Magistrate in Berkeley County
(a) The Legislature hereby finds that, according to the statistics compiled by the administrative office of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, the caseload in the magistrate court of Berkeley County in the year 2020 was as follows: Civil cases: 4,139 Criminal cases: 7,782 Total:11,921 With five elected magistrates in Berkeley County, each […]
§50-1-3. Salaries of Magistrates
Notwithstanding any provisions of this code to the contrary, beginning July 1, 2021, the annual salary of a magistrate shall be $60,375, and beginning July 1, 2022, the annual salary of a magistrate shall be $63,250.