An appointee who wishes to remain in office must run in the next election. Family Court Division Family law masters hear cases involving such matters as divorce, child custody, visitation, and support. Family law masters also are scheduled to issue final protective orders in cases involving domestic violence beginning September 1, 2001. There are 33 family law masters who serve 24 family court circuits. Therefore, some family law masters serve more than one of the 31 judicial circuits.
Circuit judges appoint the family law masters for their areas.
The family law masters selected must have practiced law for at least five years. In 2002, family law masters are scheduled to run in partisan elections. Mental Hygiene System Mental hygiene commissioners are lawyers who preside over hearings on involuntary hospitalization, guardianship, and conservatorship. There is at least one mental hygiene commissioner in each of West Virginia's 31 circuits. Juvenile System Among other duties, juvenile referees hold detention hearings when a child is arrested or taken into custody.