Aaron named chief magistrate for Kanawha County

CHARLESTON – Kim Aaron has been named chief magistrate of Kanawha County.

Louis H. "Duke" Bloom, chief judge of the Kanawha Circuit Court (13th Circuit), appointed Aaron to the post in administrative order dated Jan. 17.

"I am honored to have been named Chief Magistrate of Kanawha County," Aaron says in a statement. "I have a deep desire to make us better. I enjoy a challenge.

"I see a sense of pride, productivity and professional dedication in our magistrates and staff, but I also see room for improvement."

Aaron says she will seek input from her fellow magistrates and staff.

"I will be a listener," she says. "I will treat my fellow magistrates with respect and encouragement.

"I will be a leader for changes that will better serve the public."

The chief magistrate is responsible for all administrative functions of the magistrate court, according to West Virginia Code and the state Supreme Court of Appeals.

That includes supervising the magistrate court clerk in the establishment and maintenance of a centralized docketing system, submitting all reports required by law and promptly notifying such circuit court judge that additional magistrates are required to handle the cases then pending in the magistrate court.

The chief magistrate also acts as a liaison between the magistrate court and the chief judge of the circuit court and other duties assigned by the chief circuit judge.