Term: 6 Years
Residence: County
The Clerk of the Circuit Court is elected in each county to carry out administrative functions
and to act as record-keeper for circuit court actions in that county. The office of the circuit
clerk is authorized by Article 8, Section 9 of the West Virginia Constitution. The Circuit Clerk
is an officer within the judicial system and plays a pivotal role in that system. The West
Virginia Constitution establishes a hierarchy of administrative control that gives overall
authority for the entire judicial system to the Supreme Court of Appeals. Local administrative
authority lies in the circuit court, including the office of circuit clerk with regard to the
clerk's judicial functions but the clerk has autonomy to establish procedures and policies
necessary to carry out statutory responsibilities. The Circuit Clerk also serves as an election
officer. The salary range is $35,200 to $46,200 and is required to be full-time in Class I - V
counties. Examples of the duties and responsibilities include:
- Serve as the Clerk to the Circuit and Family Court
- Issue mesne (during the progress of a case) process
- Issue final process to enforce and execute judgements
- Appoint guardian ad litem where required
- Respond to other requests that do not require a court order
- Responsible for all papers filed in the office; serve as registrar, recorder and custodian
for all pleadings, documents and funds pertaining to cases filed in circuit court and family court
- Responsible for the administration and management of the petit and grand jury systems in the
county
- Create the master list of prospective jurors; select panels for attendance, qualify and
summon jurors, provide juror orientation, and monitor jurors' attendance and mileage
- Serve as fee officer of the court
- Serve as election officer; prepare ballot and other election-related duties; receive filings
for county elective offices; some circuit clerks conduct absentee voting
- Report various statistics to governmental agencies
- Appoint deputy clerks subject to the review of the court and/or county commission
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