Circuit Clerk

Susan Lemon

susan.lemon@courtswv.gov

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Courthouse hours:

Monday through Friday – 8:00am to 4:00pm

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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 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.

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Examples of 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 judgments

• 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

• Report various statistics to other governmental agencies

• Oversee guardianship appointments

• Appoint deputy clerks subject to the review of the court and/or county commission