Many West Virginians first encounter the legal system in Magistrate Court. These courts handle lower-dollar civil disputes and a large share of criminal and emergency matters.
According to the 2024 annual statistical report, magistrate courts saw:
- 44,535 civil filings
- 13,236 felony case filings
- 110,875 misdemeanor case filings
- 9,769 domestic violence filings in the magistrate civil statistics
Magistrates have jurisdiction over civil cases where the amount in dispute is less than $10,000. They also hear misdemeanor matters, conduct preliminary examinations in felony cases, and preside over emergency domestic violence proceedings.
Even when a case seems small, early decisions about filings, appearances, bonds, and protective orders can have major consequences.
Original source: West Virginia Court System 2024 Annual Statistical Report.