West Virginia Rules Governing Post-Conviction Habeas Corpus Proceedings – 2026
The Rules Governing Post-Conviction Habeas Corpus Proceedings in the circuit courts of West Virginia: purpose and scope, the petition and its filing, summary dismissal, the response, discovery, evidentiary hearings, the final order and the extent to which the Rules of Civil Procedure apply.
Browse all 10 rules of the 2026 edition below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.
Rule 1
Purpose and Scope of Rules
Rule 2
Petition
Rule 3
Filing Petition
Rule 4
Preliminary Consideration by the Circuit Court
Rule 5
Answers; Contents
Rule 6
Appointment of Counsel
Rule 7
Discovery
Rule 8
Expansion of Record
Rule 9
Evidentiary Hearing
Rule 10
West Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure; Extent of Applicability