RALEIGH COUNTY, WV (WOAY) – Todd Kirby was sworn in on July 23, 2024, as the new Tenth Judicial Circuit judge for Raleigh County.
Calling it a humbling experience, Kirby says though he’s spent 14 years in a courtroom – it will be different on that side of the bench.
“It’s a dream come true. It’s just a dream I never really thought was possible until about six months ago,” says Kirby. “I never imagined that I would have the privilege and honor of actually sitting as a circuit court judge.”
Judge Andrew Dimlich has known Todd since he moved back to Beckley.
“I really can’t say enough about him. If Todd Kirby tells you something, you can put it in the bank,” Dimlich says. “The man has absolute integrity. Quite frankly that’s a pretty good quality for a judge to have.”
Kirby left the West Virginia House of Delegates to assume the judge position and maintained a longstanding Beckley law practice. He previously focused on abuse and neglect cases as an assistant prosecutor. Dimlich says those are hard cases, but Todd always brought a sense of fairness.
“Once you practice those types of cases and you see the impact the judicial system can have on children, those cases definitely take a top priority,” says Kirby. “And so I’m looking forward to being able to help families, to help children, and to continue the legacy that I’m following behind with Judge Burnside and Judge Kirkpatrick.”
Criminal cases can be challenging, but the new judge says he is going to strike a balance.
“You have the liberty interests that are involved with respect to the defendant, the victim and the victim’s family,” he said. “And of course, the law is the paramount guiding star for each decision I’ll make, that and the facts.”
Kirby began his legal career as a 20-something intern with the late Judge Warren McGraw in Wyoming County Circuit Court. It’s now a full circle moment and he says it’s a privilege to serve Raleigh County.
“Very humbling and I’m very appreciative,” he said. “I hope that in a year or two, they can look back and be proud of the decision they made.”
