This guide will identify where to find West Virginia legal resources on the Internet and provide guidelines on how to determine when an Internet resource can substitute for a print or commercial online source. 

STATUTES

WV Legislature

Includes links to Senate, House, Joint Committees, legislation, and member information. Also includes a bill tracking option.

West Virginia Code

Accessible through the West Virginia Legislature, select the West Virginia Code, State Code link on the left. The Code is not always as current as the print version -- refer to the update note at the top of the search screen.

Chart of West Virginia Statute Options (PDF) 

This chart lists the West Virginia statutory sources and provides information on each source (coverage, update schedule, annotations, etc.).

• The Internet is not the best place for West Virginia statutes, if you have access to other sources.  

ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

West Virginia Code of State Rules

The West Virginia Secretary of State web site provides free access to the Code of State Rules (CSR). Access to the West Virginia Register is also available at this site.  

• This site works best with the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser. 

From the Secretary of State's Administrative Law home page, select the link to the State Register - Recent Issues Online. Scroll down to view weekly issues in PDF format (posted on Fridays).

Chart of West Virginia Administrative Rules Options (PDF)

This chart lists the West Virginia administrative rules sources and provides information on each source (coverage, update schedule, annotations, etc.).

• Contrary to West Virginia statutory sources on the Internet, the Internet may be the best place to find West Virginia Code of State Rules. 

CASE LAW

WV Supreme Court of Appeals

Includes Opinions (1991 - present), Calendar & Docket, Rules & Forms, Justices & Staff, WV Court System, Public Info. & Press Releases, Boards of Law Examiners, Judicial Investigation Comm., Law Library, and Supreme Court Projects. 

• The schedule for release of opinions is Monday, Wednesday and/or Friday at 10:00 a.m.
• Organized by date and docket number.
• A good place to start if you know the date and at least one of the party names.
• Dissenting and concurring opinions are labeled "Dis" or "Con."
• Dissenting and concurring opinions may be posted several months later than the majority opinion.

Chart of West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Options (PDF)

This chart lists the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals sources and provides information on each source (coverage, update schedule, annotations, etc.).

• West Virginia has only two court levels; the trial courts (unpublished decisions) and the Supreme Court of Appeals (published decisions). 

MISCELLANEOUS

WV Court Rules 

Maintained by the West Virginia Supreme Court. Links to the Rules of Appellate Procedure, West Virginia Trial Court Rules, Rules of Practice and Procedure for Family Law, Rules for Professional Conduct, and more.

WV Court Information

Provided by the West Virginia State Bar. Includes information on County Magistrate Courts, Circuit Courts, the Supreme Court of Appeals, and WV federal courts.

WV Newspapers

Select West Virginia to access links to newspapers available on the Internet.  

• Many newspapers post the obituaries and classifieds online - sections that are not available on LexisNexis or Westlaw. 
• For previous dates, look for an archive section.
• Not all newspapers will post past issues in an archived section of their website. Many newspapers provide a selection of stories from today's print version of the newspaper only.