West Virginia Circuit Courts

The West Virginia Circuit Courts are the West Virginia state trial courts of general jurisdiction. They are the only state trial courts in West Virginia that are courts of record. West Virginia's 55 counties are divided into 31 circuits, each comprising anywhere from one to four counties. Different circuits have different numbers of judges; 11 circuits have only a single judge.

Circuit judges are elected in partisan elections to serve eight-year terms. Judges must have engaged in the practice of law for at least five years. When a vacancy occurs, the governor of West Virginia appoints a judge, who must run in the next election to retain his or her seat.

The circuit courts have original jurisdiction over:

The circuit courts have original appellate jurisdiction involving:

Appeals from the decisions of circuit courts go the state supreme court, the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia.

List of judicial circuits