West Virginia Rules of Juvenile Procedure – 2026
The Rules of Juvenile Procedure for delinquency and status-offense proceedings in the circuit courts of West Virginia. Coverage runs from scope and general purpose, through custody, detention and the petition, adjudication and disposition, to post-dispositional review, transfer to adult jurisdiction, appeals and the life skills curriculum and transitional plan.
Browse all 51 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
Scope, Application and General Purpose
Rule 2
Terminology
Rule 3
Juvenile Jurisdiction
Rule 4
Venue
Rule 5
Appointment of Counsel
Rule 6
Taking a Juvenile into Custody
Rule 7
Informing Juvenile of Charges and Rights
Rule 8
Petitions
Rule 9
Service
Rule 10
Attendance at Hearings and Confidentiality
Rule 11
Release Under Bond Conditions for Delinquency and Status Offenses
Rule 12
Detention and Alternative Placements in Delinquency Cases
Rule 13
Pre-Adjudicatory Detention Factors for Delinquency Offenses
Rule 14
Pre-Adjudicatory Placement Factors for Status Offenses
Rule 15
Domestic Violence Emergency Protective Orders as Juvenile Petitions
Rule 16
Review of Detention
Rule 17
Admission at Initial Appearances
Rule 18
Preliminary Hearings
Rule 19
Pre-Adjudicatory Community Supervision Periods
Rule 20
Transfer to Criminal Jurisdiction
Rule 21
Discovery
Rule 22
Subpoenas
Rule 23
Severance
Rule 24
Pre-Adjudication Motions
Rule 25
Pre-Adjudication Conferences
Rule 26
Juvenile Competency Proceedings for Delinquency Cases
Rule 27
Commencement of Adjudications
Rule 28
Adjudication by Admission
Rule 29
Jury at Adjudication
Rule 30
Contested Adjudicatory Hearing
Rule 31
Evidence
Rule 32
Standard of Proof
Rule 33
Adjudication Findings
Rule 34
Dispositional Hearing
Rule 35
Multidisciplinary Treatment Teams
Rule 36
Recommendations of the Multidisciplinary Treatment Team
Rule 37
Case Plan
Rule 38
Disposition – Status Offenses
Rule 39
Delinquency Disposition
Rule 40
Investigations and Evaluations
Rule 41
Mental Health Disposition
Rule 42
Permanency Hearings
Rule 43
Judicial Review
Rule 44
Termination of Parental Rights
Rule 45
After-Care Planning
Rule 46
After-Care Review
Rule 47
Probation Violations
Rule 48
Search Warrants
Rule 49
Confidentiality of Juvenile Records
Rule 50
Sealing Juvenile Records
Rule 51
Development of Life Skills Curriculum and Transitional Plan