Rule 1 Scope

Here's a plain English summary:

These rules explain how criminal cases work in West Virginia's circuit courts. If you're charged with a crime and your case goes to circuit court, these are the rules that judges, prosecutors, and defense lawyers must follow.

The rules also apply to cases handled by magistrates, but only when a specific rule says it applies to magistrate court. Not every rule automatically covers magistrate proceedings, so you have to check each rule to see if it mentions magistrates.

In short, this rule sets the boundaries for where these procedures apply. It tells you that circuit courts are fully covered, while magistrate courts are only covered in specific situations spelled out elsewhere in the rules.