Trending
ELKINS -- By the beginning of 2025, Randolph County will have two circuit court judges, the second position being created thanks to the passage of legislation that was signed into law by Gov. Jim Justice at the end of March.
The new Randolph County circuit judge position will be on the ballot in the May 2024 primary election. The new judge's first day in office will be Jan. 1, 2025.
House Bill 3332, which creates new judicial circuits for the state and assigns the number of judges in each circuit, was approved last month, with Justice signing the bill on March 29.
Currently, David H. Wilmoth is the judge for the 20th Judicial Circuit in Randolph County. He was appointed by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin on Jan. 30, 2015.
Under the new law, beginning in January 2025, Randolph County will constitute the 24th Judicial Circuit. The second judge will be elected in 2024 "and every eighth year thereafter," according to the language of the bill.
Other local changes under the new law include:
• The counties of Barbour and Taylor will constitute the 23rd Judicial Circuit and will have two judges.
Currently, Barbour and Taylor counties make up the 19th Judicial Circuit, which has two judges, Shawn Nines and Thomas Hoxie, appointed earlier this year by Justice.
• The counties of Tucker and Preston will constitute the 22nd Judicial Circuit and will have two judges.
At this time, Tucker County is part of the 21st Judicial Circuit, along with Grant and Mineral counties. The circuit has two judges, James W. Courrier, Jr. and Lynn A. Nelson.
Currently, Preston County constitutes the 18th Judicial Circuit and has one judge, Steven L. Shaffer.
• Upshur and Lewis counties will constitute the 18th Judicial Circuit and will have two judges.
At this time, Upshur and Lewis make up the 26th Judicial Circuit, in which Judge Kurt Hall and Judge Jacob Reger preside.
• The counties of Pocahontas and Greenbrier will constitute the 28th Judicial Circuit and will have two judges.
At this time, Pocahontas and Greenbrier counties make up the 11th Judicial Circuit, which has two judges, Jennifer P. Dent and Robert E. Richardson.