Opinion ID: 1277746
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: cross-warrants and special prosecutor

Text: Finally, we must address whether the circuit court erred in ordering the cross-warrants in the present case to proceed without the prosecuting attorney. The petitioner's main argument against the circuit court's administrative order which directed that no prosecutor was needed to prosecute the cross-warrants is that the prosecuting attorney is charged with the duty of prosecuting all crimes, including misdemeanors. State ex rel. Skinner v. Dostert, 166 W.Va. 743, 278 S.E.2d 624 (1981); W.Va.Code, 7-4-1 [1971]. This Court implies in Skinner that the circuit court cannot tell the prosecuting attorney what cases he or she can prosecute before the magistrate court. 166 W.Va. at 753-54, 278 S.E.2d at 632. The petitioner's second point with respect to this issue is that Rules 1.7 to 1.10 of the Rules of Professional Conduct impose ethical limitations on a prosecuting attorney's communications and relationship with alleged victims/defendants on both sides of a cross-warrant criminal proceeding. The petitioner, therefore, maintains that the appointment of a special prosecutor is essential to avoid a potential conflict of interest. We agree with the petitioner on this issue. The prosecuting attorney, as we have recognized above, is charged with the duty of prosecuting criminal cases. Furthermore, the prosecuting attorney has discretion in prosecutorial decisions and may use that discretion in determining what charges to bring against an accused. See State ex rel. Hamstead v. Dostert, 173 W.Va. 133, 313 S.E.2d 409 (1984). By ordering that no prosecutor prosecute this case, the circuit court has precluded the prosecuting attorney from fulfilling his statutory duties. Moreover, the circuit court, by ordering that the case proceed without a prosecutor, was in effect asking the magistrate to serve not only as judge, but also as prosecutor. Clearly, the magistrate cannot act as both. We hold that criminal cases involving the issuance of cross-warrants must be prosecuted by the prosecuting attorney, who is charged with the duty under W.Va. Code, 7-4-1 [1971] of instituting and prosecuting all necessary and proper criminal proceedings against offenders, and, in cases where it would be improper for the prosecuting attorney or his assistants to act, by a competent attorney who is appointed to act under W.Va.Code, 7-7-8 [1987]. Therefore, we conclude that the circuit court erred in ordering the case to proceed without a prosecutor, and in refusing to appoint a special prosecutor. Thus, a writ of mandamus shall be issued by this Court compelling the circuit court to allow the case to proceed with a prosecutor and to appoint a special prosecutor. Finally, we order that our holding directing magistrates not to issue a warrant or summons based solely upon a private citizen complaint, except where there is a statutory exception, without the prior evaluation of the complaint by the prosecuting attorney or investigation by the appropriate law enforcement agency shall be effective April 1, 1993. Writ granted.