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Legal and Law Enforcement 

Legal & Law Enforcement Resources 

Annual Crime Reports
This index contains detailed reports on crimes committed in West Virginia from 2006 to 1972.

Apellate Division - Public Defender
The Appellate Advocacy Division is authorized by the statute to insure that indigent persons have proper representation in the Supreme Court of Appeals.

Check the Status of Service On-Line
Use our convenient online status check to find the current status of service of process made through the Secretary of State. The county name and case number are required to locate the status information.

Checklist for Submitting Invoices to Family Court Services
This checklist is used to ensure invoices are submitted correctly to Family Court Services.

Checklist for Submitting Invoices to Family Court Services
This checklist is used to ensure all invoices are submitted correctly to Family Court Services.

Contempt Petition Instructions
These instructions guide an individual through the process of filing a Petition of Contempt. If you want the court to enforce the terms of an order you believe is being violated, filing a Contempt Petition may be the correct legal action.

Court of Claims Annual Report
This report covers the activities of the court for the calendar year 2007.

Criminal Law Research Center
The Center acts as a source for criminal law research and information for PDS corporations, panel attorneys and private attorneys.

Deputy Sheriffs' Reserve Officer Training Guidelines
Overview of the training guidelines that are to establish the minimum training requirements for members of a county deputy sheriffs’ reserve to carry “other weapons” as established by section one-a, article three, chapter six of the code of West Virginia.

Enforcement of Civil Judgments
This is an information sheet for parties in Magistrate Court Civil Cases.

Filing Procedures to Serve a Business
Filing procedures for Serving a business. There is information on preparing the filing, request for service form, number of copies, filing fee, certified copies of filing, and mailing and delivery.

Financial Guidelines
These Financial Guidelines are used to determine eligibility for waiver of fees, costs, or security in Civil Cases in the West Virginia Courts.

Information for Applicants: Involuntary Custody for Mental Health Examination
This information sheet is to be given to all applicants filing an application for involuntary custody for mental health examination.

Information Regarding Appeal Process from Magistrate Court to Circuit Court
The purpose of this information sheet is to outline the appeal process from Magistrate Court to Circuit Court. This information sheet provides basic information regarding the appeal process and is not intended to be a complete reference guide.

Information Sheet: Affidavit for Default Judgment
This is a brief explanation of the process of obtaining a judgment in magistrate court when the defendant has not answered or appeared, which is called a default judgment.

Information Sheet: Civil Case Defendant
This sheet provides information on answer options available to the defendant in a Civil Case.

Information Sheet: Civil Case Plaintiff
This sheet contains information useful to the Plaintiff in a Civil Case.

Instructions for Expedited Modification of Child Support
These instructions are used to help with the completion of filing a Petition for Expedited Modification of Child Support.

Instructions for Family Court Appeals Forms
You have the right to appeal a family court final order to the circuit court. After the circuit court makes a final decision, you may then appeal the circuit court’s final decision to the Supreme Court.

Instructions For Filing a Claim
Instruction for filing a claim with the West Virginia Claims Court.

Instructions for Parental Relocation Notice
These instructions can help an individual complete the process of submitting a Parental Relocation Notice.

Instructions for Petition for Support and Allocation of Custodial Responsibility
These instructions are used to help complete the forms to petition the Family Court to grant custodial responsibility for a child, and / or to require another person to help support a child.

Instructions for Petition of Modification of Child Support
These instructions can be used to help complete the Modification Petition Form, Bureau for Child Support Enforcement Application and Income Withholding Form, Civil Case Information Statement form, and a Certificate of Service form.

Interference with Official Traffic-Control Devices
AN ACT to amend the code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §17C-3-10, relating to making it a crime to possess or use a traffic control device with an infrared or electronic device designed to change traffic light indication; exceptions; and providing for penalties.

Legal Aid Resources
This document provides the location and contact numbers of Legal Aid centers throughout the State.

Legal Ethics Opinions
Chronological list of the formal opinions of the Lawyer Disciplinary Board

Legal Services
Website designed to help clients, practitioners and members of the public to understand our legal system and use it to pursue their just claims.

Parenting Plan Instructions
The Family Court requires a Parenting Plan in all cases involving minor children. As a case begins, if parents can agree on a Parenting Plan, they can submit a Joint Proposed Parenting Plan to the court, and request that the court make a temporary order on parenting based on the Joint Plan.

Prosecutor Listing
Look up Prosecutors by county.

Rules of Professional Conduct
Rules of Professional Conduct for Lawyers Practicing in WV.

Search for Legal Jobs and Legal Staffing Agencies
Search for Employers and Legal Staffing Agencies in your area, view their Company Profile and see if they have any job openings posted.

Services by the Secretary of State
Brief descriptions of service which can be accepted by the Secretary of State are included below.

Services not by the Secretary of State
The Rules of Civil Procedure of the West Virginia Supreme Court provide the specific requirements for service through other means when a person or entity cannot be served by the Secretary of State. Specific requirements of law detailing other service requirements in particular types of complaints, procedures or cases are not referenced here.

State Police Annual Report - 2007
2007 West Virginia State Police Annual Report.

State Police Legislative Updates 1998-2006
Overview of law changes in 2006 that affected State Police.

Transfer Law Enforcement Certification
Description of the process to transfer law enforcement certification from another state to West Virginia.

Uniform Crime Reporting
This index contains detailed crime statistics for West Virginia from 2006 to 1972.

West Virginia State Police Academy Rules
The function of the Academy and all the staff is to provide the opportunity for the student to learn the maximum amount in the minimum time span, to learn in the most effective, efficient, and lasting manner; the knowledge and skills that will increase his/her ability to perform in a professional manner.

Did You Know?

Charles Town, in Jefferson County, was where slave abolitionist John Brown was convicted of treason, conspiracy and murder following his raid on Harpers Ferry, also in Jefferson County.