Overview

• The West Virginia Judiciary is primarily a state-funded unified court system (with the exception of municipal courts).  The state pays the salaries of the judges, court reporters, law clerks, case coordinators, and other personnel.  The state pays for automation.  The counties are only responsible for paying the salaries of the circuit clerks and their respective staff.
• Its appropriation was increased from $128.8 million in FY11 to $130.5 million in FY12.  It will be able to maintain the same number of judges and raise judicial salaries.  West Virginia will also be able to increase the number of staff positions and the amount spent on operating costs.  The FY12 budget includes funds to expand the number of drug courts and add special probation officers for paroled sex offenders and also additional probation officers to handle the increased caseloads.
• The West Virginia courts surveyed the usage of satellite legal law libraries and determined that there was no material use of the resources dedicated to the libraries.  As a result, the libraries are scheduled to shut down.
• Technology initiatives include videoconferencing of some hearings and the use of presentation stations in the courtroom.  The presentation stations in the courtroom allow both sides in criminal and civil cases to make use of video and sound.  Neither side is placed at a technological advantage on the other side.
• The statewide court system is not under budgetary restrictions at this time.  West Virginia’s efforts to improve services to the citizens are limited to non-budgetary reasons. 
  

Reports and Articles

Gavel to Gavel

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