Beckley, WV (WOAY) – A former Raleigh County prosecuting attorney who resigned last October has had his law license annulled, according to court records.
The court order filed by the West Virginia Supreme Court on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, granted a petition to annul Benjamin Hatfield’s license to practice law by voluntary consent.
Hatfield resigned as Raleigh County’s prosecuting attorney after the Raleigh County Commision began the process of removing him due to allegations of misconduct and neglect of his duties.
Last August, a woman who identified herself as a “sexual partner” came forward making allegations and attempted to get a Domestic Violence Protective order against him. Family Court Judge Harley Stollings later denied the petition. She then appealed to a Greenbrier County Circuit Court judge who reversed the order and sent it back to family court for a full hearing.
After a new hearing with more than five hours of testimony on Sept. 23, 2024, Stollings granted a 180-day protective order against Hatfield. The judge found Hatfield’s actions were intended to intimidate or threaten the woman and were in contempt of court.
The petition also contained more than 120 motions to disqualify Hatfield and the prosecutor’s office had been filed on behalf of various criminal cases due to the Domestic Violence Protective Order against Hatfield.
The court filings requested a special prosecutor be appointed and said the prosecutor’s office could not legally or ethically proceed with prosecution because of Hatfield’s “inappropriate conduct,” which includes Stollings’ finding that Hatfield was “not credible” in his testimony in family court.
Commissioners stated they were also contacted by several law enforcement officers who said they would not appear for any grand jury where Hatfield sought an indictment.
Hatfield resigned from the office shortly afterwards. Tom Truman will serve as prosecuting attorney for the remainder of Hatfield’s term.
