CHARLESTON – West Virginia courts can close at noon on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, according to an Administrative Order issued by Supreme Court Chief Justice Margaret L. Workman.
The order applies to all offices and employees under the supervision of the Supreme Court, except for circuit clerks’ offices.
The days are discretionary judicial days for circuit courts and family courts, so judges may, at their discretion, conduct proceedings on those afternoons.
Magistrates may conduct only those proceedings expressly required.
“On call. — One magistrate in each county, on a rotating basis, shall be on call at all times other than regular office hours. On-call duties shall extend, in criminal cases, to initial appearances; to taking bond for someone who is in jail; and to receiving and acting upon emergency search warrants, domestic violence matters, and juvenile abuse and neglect matters.”