West Virginia Rules of Judicial Disciplinary Procedure – 2026
The Rules of Judicial Disciplinary Procedure, governing the Judicial Investigation Commission, Judicial Disciplinary Counsel and the Judicial Hearing Board of West Virginia: complaints and their investigation, formal charges, hearings, the Board's recommendation, review by the Supreme Court of Appeals, and the confidentiality, immunity and disability provisions that apply throughout.
Browse all 94 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.
Section I
Rule 1
Judicial Investigation Commission
Rule 1.1
Membership
Rule 1.2
Terms
Rule 1.3
Appointment
Rule 1.4
Eligibility
Rule 1.5
Vacancies
Rule 1.6
Reappointment
Rule 1.7
Election of Officers
Rule 1.8
Quorum
Rule 1.9
Compensation and Expsenses
Rule 1.10
Disqualification
Rule 1.11
Authority
Rule 2
Judicial Disciplinary Complaints
Rule 2.1
Form of Complaints
Rule 2.2
Investigation of Complaints
Rule 2.3
Response to Complaints
Rule 2.4
Confidentiality
Rule 2.5
Privilege and Immunity
Rule 2.6
Report on Complaints
Rule 2.7
Review of Complaints
Rule 2.8
Filing of Formal Charges
Rule 2.9
Service of Formal Charges
Rule 2.10
Response to Formal Charges
Rule 2.11
Failure to File Response
Rule 2.12
Limitation of Complaints
Rule 2.13
Advisory Opinions
Rule 2.14
Extraordinary Proceedings
Section II
Rule 3
Judicial Hearing Board
Rule 3.1
Membership
Rule 3.2
Terms
Rule 3.3
Appointment
Rule 3.4
Eligibility
Rule 3.5
Vacancies
Rule 3.6
Reappointment
Rule 3.7
Election of Officers
Rule 3.8
Quorum
Rule 3.9
Compensation and Expenses
Rule 3.10
Disqualification
Rule 3.11
Authority
Rule 3.12
Exclusive Jurisdiction
Rule 4
Hearings on Formal Charges
Rule 4.1
Time and Place of Hearing
Rule 4.2
Notice of Hearing
Rule 4.3
Conduct of Hearing
Rule 4.4
Privilege and Immunity
Rule 4.5
Standard of Proof
Rule 4.6
Subpoena and Contempt Power
Rule 4.7
Record of Hearings
Rule 4.8
Recommended Disposition by Board
Rule 4.9
Response to Recommended Disposition
Rule 4.10
Consent to Recommended Disposition
Rule 4.11
Objection to Recommended Disposition
Rule 4.12
Permissible Sanctions
Rule 4.13
Attorney Fees Upon Dismissal
Section III
Rule 5
Office of Disciplinary Counsel
Rule 5.1
Appointment
Rule 5.2
Removal
Rule 5.3
Practice of Law
Rule 5.4
Authority
Rule 5.5
Expenses
Rule 5.6
Statistical Reporting
Rule 6
Referrals to the West Virginia Judicial and Lawyer Assistance Program
Rule 6.1
Notification
Rule 6.2
Wvjlap Compliance
Rule 6.3
Authority
Rule 6.4
Confidentiality
Rule 6.5
Refusal to Comply
Rule 6.6
Failure of Rehabilitation
Rule 6.7
Evaluation Expenses
Rule 6.8
Proceedings and Process
Rule 6.9
Information Provided to Disciplinary Authorities by the Wvjlap
Rule 6.10
Period of Limitation for Filing Information
Rule 7
Mandatory Continuing Judicial Education
Rule 7.1
Program Administration
Rule 7.2
Course Approval
Rule 7.3
Credit Hours
Rule 7.4
Exemptions
Rule 7.5
Disciplinary Action
Rule 7.6
Annual Report
Rule 7.7
Presumptively Approved Courses
Rule 7.8
Obtaining Course Approval
Rule 7.9
Standards of Accreditation
Rule 7.10
Revocation of Accredited Status
Rule 7.11
Delayed Accreditation
Rule 7.12
Reimbursement of Expenses
Rule 7.13
Finality of Decisions
Rule 7.14
Minimum Continuing Judicial Education Requirements for Active Judges
Rule 7.15
Reporting
Rule 7.16
Minimum Continuing Judicial Education Requirements for New Judges and Temporary Family Court Judges
Rule 7.17
Obtaining Credits
Rule 7.18
Retroactive Credit
Rule 7.19
Transfer of Credit
Rule 7.20
Noncompliance and Sanctions
Rule 7.21
Right to Hearing