Frequently Asked Questions
(and some stuff we just want you to know!)
Q: What is a Circuit Court?
A: West Virginia Circuit Courts are West Virginia’s state trial courts of general jurisdiction. Randolph County will be the only county in the state’s 24th Circuit, as of January 1, 2025. Also, as of January 1, 2025, Randolph County will have two Circuit Court Judges. Currently, West Virginia only has one Circuit Court Judge. For the upcoming 2024 primary election, two judges will be elected to fill the two judicial seats for Randolph County.
The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals explains that the Circuit Courts have jurisdiction "over all civil cases at law over $7,500 with limited exceptions; all civil cases in equity; proceedings in habeas corpus, mandamus, quo warranto, prohibition, and certiorari; and all felonies and misdemeanors." Practically speaking, what keeps Circuit Courts the busiest is: felony litigation, civil cases at law over $7,500 with limited exceptions, all juvenile cases, and all abuse and neglect matters.
Q: Why is Jaymie Godwin Wilfong the best candidate to be elected as Circuit Court Judge?
A: As a former Family Court Judge and a former Circuit Court Judge, Jaymie has nearly twelve years’ judicial experience. During that time, she demonstrated excellent insight and knowledge of the law, a good judicial demeanor, the clear ability to control her courtroom, efficient resolution of her cases, and her consistent ability to be firm, but fair. Jaymie is proud that year after year, she demonstrated that toughness doesn't mean an absence of compassion, and that everyone deserves to be treated the same in court – regardless of who you are. Saying you can do this is one thing; demonstrating it for over a decade is another.
Q: What judicial experience does Jaymie Godwin Wilfong have that makes her the best choice to be our Circuit Court Judge?
A: Jaymie served as the Family Court Judge for Randolph, Tucker, and Grant Counties from 2003 until 2008, and she served as Randolph County Circuit Court Judge from 2009 until December 2014.
Q: When Jaymie Godwin Wilfong was Family Court Judge and Circuit Court Judge before, did she have any leadership roles in relation to the other judges?
A: Yes. Wilfong served as president of the Family Court Judge Association during her time as Family Court Judge.
Q: What litigation experience does Jaymie Godwin Wilfong have that will assist her to be a great Circuit Court Judge?
A: Jaymie has been a lawyer since 1995. During the years she was not serving on the bench, she always had an active practice, representing people in many areas of the law. She has practiced locally, as well as in various counties across the State of West Virginia. Though not a comprehensive list of the history of her practice, Wilfong has litigated an extensive number of family law matters (including divorce, custody, domestic violence, grandparent visitation, and child support), a large number of criminal cases (felonies and misdemeanors), countless abuse and neglect matters, and many juvenile delinquency cases. Wilfong also served for a period of time as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Upshur County, West Virginia.
Q: When Jaymie Godwin Wilfong was Circuit Court Judge before, what did she do to go “above and beyond” to assist the Randolph County community?
A: In addition to the full schedule she carried as Circuit Court Judge, Wilfong was instrumental in starting Randolph County’s Juvenile and Adult Drug Courts. When the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals reached out to Wilfong to ask her to start a drug court in Randolph County, she was admittedly hesitant. However, upon learning that establishing a drug court would bring an expansive amount of badly needed services to Randolph County (therapy, programs, supervision, mandatory drug testing, etc.) to help people end their drug use/drug relapses, and upon further learning this would be a Juvenile Drug Court, Wilfong agreed. With the success of the Juvenile Drug Court, it didn't take much for Wilfong to agree to start Randolph County’s Adult Drug Court. Due to weekly treatment team meetings and weekly drug court with the participants (for each drug court), as well as many related obligations, Wilfong spent hundreds of hours ensuring the continued operation of these special courts. The result, she says, has been the receipt of hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of services for Randolph County and a better life for many people who have taken advantage of this unique opportunity to get, and stay clean.
