Bill > HB4980

This bill, titled the "Judicial Accountability and Civil Liability Act," establishes that judges in West Virginia can be held personally responsible in civil court if they knowingly violate the law, conduct hearings without proper legal authority or in violation of rights (an "unlawful hearing"), or mistreat individuals involved in legal proceedings ("abuse of litigants"). The bill defines "knowingly" as having actual knowledge or acting with willful disregard, and outlines specific examples of abuse, such as intentionally disregarding legal rights or showing bias. This new law aims to restore public trust by providing a remedy for significant harm caused by judicial misconduct, as traditional judicial immunity will not apply in cases of such willful misconduct, and victims can seek compensatory or punitive damages, attorney fees, and other relief, though it clarifies that this does not apply to good-faith decisions made within a judge's lawful authority and requires a prior determination of willful misconduct by a judicial oversight body.

Justice

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=4980&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill