Civil courts hear civil matters—which are generally lawsuits regarding disputes between persons or entities in which money, property, or personal rights under the law are at issue. Civil matters are distinguishable from criminal matters, which generally involve a city, state, or federal government prosecuting a person or entity for the commission of a crime.
In West Virginia, civil courts are responsible for adjudicating non-criminal disputes between parties, which may include individuals, businesses, or other entities. These disputes often involve issues such as contracts, property, personal injury, family law, and other matters where the parties seek monetary damages, equitable relief, or the enforcement of legal rights. Unlike criminal cases, where the government prosecutes individuals or entities for violations of criminal law, civil cases are typically initiated by a plaintiff seeking remedy for a perceived wrong. The civil court system in West Virginia includes Magistrate Courts for smaller claims (up to $10,000), Circuit Courts for larger and more complex cases, and the Supreme Court of Appeals, which is the highest court in the state for civil appeals. Each level of the civil court system has specific rules and procedures that must be followed, and parties often engage attorneys to represent their interests and navigate the legal process.