News > State Government

Judicial Reform panel submits report
11/16/2009 8:38 AM By Chris Dickerson -Statehouse Bureau

Manchin

CHARLESTON - West Virginia needs a mid-level appeals court to lighten the caseload of the state Supreme Court, according to a judicial reform panel report.

Berger

Manchin has list of seven to replace Berger
10/23/2009 3:51 PM By Chris Dickerson -Statehouse Bureau
CHARLESTON -- If Kanawha Circuit Judge Irene Berger is confirmed for a federal judgeship, Gov. Joe Manchin already has the list of her seven potential successors.

Read more
Heath

WV CALA looks to raise awareness during Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week
10/19/2009 10:30 AM By Chris Dickerson -Statehouse Bureau
CHARLESTON -- While debates over stricter federal coal mining regulations and national health care reform have been at the forefront of state news reports in recent weeks, a statewide group wants to remind West Virginians about the ongoing problems in the state's courts and the importance of much-needed legal reforms.

Read more
Thompson

Thompson pleased chancery court is being considered
10/1/2009 8:47 AM By Chris Dickerson -Statehouse Bureau
CHARLESTON - As the Independent Commission on Judicial Reform wraps up its statewide meetings, House Speaker Rick Thompson commended the group for choosing to listen to testimony regarding the benefits of creating a business court system -- a proposal he long has advocated.

Read more
Canterbury

Final hearing focuses on new courts
10/1/2009 8:30 AM By Lawrence Smith -Statehouse Bureau
CHARLESTON - A commission studying potential changes to the state judiciary held its third and final public hearing Tuesday, taking input on the pros and cons of creating intermediate appellate and specialty courts.

Read more
Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor chats with retired Kanawha Circuit Judge A. Andrew MacQueen prior to the Independent Commission on Judicial Reform, on which they both serve, began its second public hearing at the West Virginia University College on Law on Sept. 21. (Photo by Lawrence Smith)

O'Connor weighs in on merit selection
9/24/2009 9:11 AM By Lawrence Smith -Monongalia Bureau
MORGANTOWN - A panel appointed by Gov. Joe Manchin to study potential changes to the state's judicial system held its second in a series of public hearings last week at West Virginia University's College of Law which included the participation of the panel's honorary chairwoman, former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

Read more
Manchin

CALA: Berger's replacement an important decision
7/14/2009 2:18 PM By Justin Anderson
CHARLESTON -- A non-profit legal advocacy group is calling on Gov. Joe Manchin to choose wisely in naming a replacement for Kanawha Circuit Judge Irene Berger, who was nominated to fill a federal court vacancy.

Read more
Heath

Groups hail creation of commission
6/16/2009 7:20 PM By Justin Anderson -Statehouse Bureau
CHARLESTON - Legal advocacy groups hailed Gov. Joe Manchin's official creation of a nine-member commission to study the state's court system.

Read more
O'Connor

Former U.S. justice will serve on governor's court commission
6/15/2009 2:39 PM By Justin Anderson -Statehouse Bureau
CHARLESTON - Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor has agreed to serve as the honorary chairwoman of Gov. Joe Manchin's special commission on state courts, his office announced today.

Read more
Lawmakers give public defenders $21 million
6/5/2009 7:40 AM By Justin Anderson -Statehouse Bureau
CHARLESTON - On a request from Gov. Joe Manchin, state lawmakers this week approved a $21 million special appropriation to pay court-appointed lawyers statewide.

Read more
Manchin

Manchin creates court commission
4/6/2009 9:34 AM By Justin Anderson -Statehouse Bureau
CHARLESTON - Keeping to a promise he made during his State of the State address, Gov. Joe Manchin has signed an executive order that creates a commission to study possible changes to the state's court system.

Read more