The 'Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia' (not the "West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals") is the highest
court in the State of
West Virginia. It is located in the state capital,
Charleston. Although the West Virginia Constitution allows for an intermediate court of appeals to be created, the Supreme Court currently provides the only
review of the decisions of lower trial courts (called "circuit courts").
The justices of the court are elected to twelve-year terms by staggered, state-wide, partisan elections. In
2004 the State Bar Association was tasked with considering several reform proposals to limit the political nature of the court. It will issue a report before the next election in
2008.
Justices
Justices as of 2007 are
Joseph Albright,
Brent Benjamin, Chief Justice
Robin Davis,
Spike Maynard, and
Larry Starcher.
The Chief Justiceship is a rotating office, which usually changes from one Justice to another each year. In an unusual move, the justices elected Justice Robin Davis to a second term as Chief Justice in 2007.
The seats currently held by Justices Maynard and Starcher are up for election in 2008.
See Also
★
List of Justices for the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
External links
★
Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia homepage
★
Supreme Court of Appeals Opinions homepage