Charleston, WV (WOAY) – The West Virginia State Supreme Court is facing a nearly 4 percent funding cut that will directly impact all 55 counties of the Mountain State, resulting in a hiring freeze.
Most of the Supreme Court’s employees primarily work in county courtrooms and offices and are essential to court proceedings.
The state legislature makes the final decision on the judiciary’s budget.
This year, the legislature reduced the Supreme Court’s $146.2 million request by $5.5 million.
The missing funds would pay the salaries of over 16,000 court employees statewide.
The cut will subject courts statewide to a hiring freeze, preventing them from onboarding new probation officers, court reporters, law clerks, magistrates’ assistants, clerks, and several other roles.
