Wood County Commission mulls need for courtroom
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PARKERSBURG -- The Wood County Commission is looking to add a small courtroom at the Wood County Justice Center that could be utilized for court actions that do not require space for a jury.
On Thursday, the commission received approval from the West Virginia State Supreme Court of Appeals on a floor plan change that would convert Officers' Room 132 into an in-person/video arraignment room.
The room is 199 square feet and would require removing a portion of wall to install a new door as well as remove existing cabinets, counter and sink and having plumbing connections capped and put out of view, according to the plans. The room will be divided into two spaces, one 104- square-feet and the other 92-square-feet.
New workspace counters would be installed as well as a new wall separating secured arraignment area from the public access area as well as a new transaction window for in person arraignment with an additional counter and chairs put in front of the transaction window, according to the plans
The change is coming as Wood County will be going back to having five magistrates in January 2025. The floor plan for the magistrates already included space for a fifth magistrate and a magistrate assistant as the county has had that number in the past.
Currently, that office space is being taken up by other personnel who will be moved to make room for the new magistrate.
"There are currently three courtrooms in the magistrate court space which may make scheduling difficult for five magistrates," said Pat Moats, director of the division of technology and facility services for the Supreme Court of Appeals for West Virginia in an email to county officials.
Converting the meeting room was suggested by Wood County Circuit Judge Jason Wharton, but some personnel in the court expressed concerns that it would not be a full courtroom.
"However, the judge agrees it would be best to proceed with this plan with the understanding that the space may need to be reevaluated after the fifth magistrate begins in January 2025," Moats wrote, adding Wharton felt the plan was a low cost solution and could be all the court would need.
County officials felt other rooms were available that could handle the needs of the officers and did not feel this change would impact the day-to-day operations of the court.
The county maintenance crew will handle the work. Officials hope to have the new courtroom in place and ready to go when the new magistrate takes office in January.
In other business:
* The commission nominated Parkersburg Police Chief Matthew Board, Dwayne Weekley (of St. Joseph Ambulance Service, Tom Blondin (general public) and Parkersburg Fire Chief Jason Matthews to the Wood County E-911 Advisory Board.
* Christian Bailey took his Oath of Office as a Deputy Sheriff for the Wood County Sheriff's Department.
Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com