Rule 9 Cameras in courtrooms

Cameras can be allowed in a magistrate courtroom, but only under certain conditions. Someone has to ask for permission first, and the magistrate must get approval from the supervising circuit judge before allowing it.

Even if permission is granted, the camera must be used quietly and without disrupting the proceedings. This means no distracting movement, noise, or setup that draws attention away from the case. The person filming also has to follow the separate statewide rules that cover how cameras are allowed to work in courtrooms across West Virginia.

In short, cameras are not automatically allowed. They require approval from both the magistrate and the circuit judge, and they must be used in a way that does not interfere with the court proceedings.