{"id":377203,"date":"2023-11-28T14:58:23","date_gmt":"2023-11-28T19:58:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/west-virginia-law\/west-virginia-district-attorneys.html"},"modified":"2023-11-28T14:58:23","modified_gmt":"2023-11-28T19:58:23","slug":"west-virginia-district-attorneys","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/west-virginia-law\/west-virginia-district-attorneys.html","title":{"rendered":"West Virginia District Attorneys"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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West Virginia District Attorneys<\/h1>\n
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\n By Eric Harvey, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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A district attorney (D.A.) is the prosecuting officer of a criminal case. They file charges on behalf of the state within their district (typically one or more counties). Prosecutors have several important tasks.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

 These include reading police reports and deciding whether to charge a person with a criminal offense. They also include litigating cases in court and conducting jury trials. Finally, a D.A. recommends sentences and even writes appellate briefs.<\/a> Many D.A.s also conduct seminars to help educate the public on crime prevention and victim assistance.<\/p>\r\n

West Virginia’s district attorneys are called "prosecuting attorneys" (P.A.s). If you’re involved in a criminal case, contacting the prosecutor sometimes may make sense. Such circumstances include negotiating a plea deal<\/a> before trial. However, following your attorney’s advice and counsel is always best. Learn more about West Virginia prosecuting attorneys below.<\/p>\r\n

Attorney General of West Virginia<\/h2>\r\n

P.A.s file criminal charges on behalf of the state within their respective counties. The West Virginia Attorney General’s office<\/a> represents the entire state in litigation matters. The Attorney General (or "A.G.") also enforces consumer protection laws and files lawsuits on behalf of consumers.<\/p>\r\n

Attorneys general and prosecuting attorneys handle prosecution for all criminal matters. Examples of these include:<\/p>\r\n