--- title: "Anita Harold Ashley | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/anita-harold-ashley-wv-circuit-calhoun" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Anita Harold Ashley West Virginia Circuit Court, Calhoun County · Circuit Judge ## Profile - Court: West Virginia Circuit Court, Calhoun County - State: West Virginia - Role: Circuit Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-27 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge Anita Harold Ashley is a sitting circuit judge for West Virginia’s Fifth Judicial Circuit, serving since 2016 and re‐elected in 2024, with a career spanning over 35 years in law and public service - Named 2022 West Virginia Judge of the Year by Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) ### Education - A Glenville native, she graduated from Glenville State College in 1978 with an English degree and from West Virginia University College of Law in 1981. - Bachelor's degree, English, summa cum laude — Glenville State College — 1978 - in English, summa cum laude, Glenville State College — B.A. (1978) ### Additional information - She was re-elected in 2024 and served as president of the West Virginia Judicial Association in 2023. - She was first elected in May 2016 and re‐elected in 2024. - Named a West Virginia Bar Foundation Fellow in 2023. - West Virginia Judge of the Year (2022) by Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for work with abused and neglected children - J.D., West Virginia University College of Law (1981) Before becoming a circuit judge, she practiced law for 35 years, serving as a family law master (1986–1999) and as Jackson County assistant prosecutor (2022). - Practiced law for 35 years before her election to the circuit bench in 2016. - Elected to a new seat in the Fifth Judicial Circuit in May 2016. - Official site: West Virginia Judiciary — Judge Anita Harold Ashley. - Her earlier public service included work as a family law master and a Jackson County assistant prosecutor. - Judge Ashley presides over the Fifth Judicial Circuit, which includes Calhoun, Jackson, Mason, and Roane counties in West Virginia. - A native of Glenville, WV, Judge Ashley is married to the late Bob Ashley, a former state legislator, and has two adult sons, Ben and Sam. - She also held roles on the Judicial Investigation Commission and various Supreme Court select committees. - Beyond the courtroom, she is active in Rotary Club, Roane County Chamber of Commerce, St. John’s United Methodist Church, and scouting organizations. - Served on the Judicial Investigation Commission while a family law master. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### camera and audio equipment Scope: statewide West Virginia Trial Court Rule 8 makes courtroom camera and audio equipment subject to the presiding circuit judge's or magistrate's permission. Evidence excerpt: Cameras and audio equipment may be permitted in and around the courtrooms at the discretion of each presiding circuit judge or magistrate. [West Virginia Trial Court Rules, Rule 8: Media Coverage of Court Proceedings](https://www.courtswv.gov/legal-community/court-rules/wv-trial-court-rules-contents) Source checked: 2026-07-27 ### advance media request timing Scope: statewide West Virginia Trial Court Rule 8 directs the presiding officer to decide requests for camera or audio coverage made at least one day before the proceeding, and lack of advance approval may preclude use. Evidence excerpt: Requests made by a party or any other person at least one day in advance of the proceedings. [West Virginia Trial Court Rules, Rule 8: Media Coverage of Court Proceedings](https://www.courtswv.gov/legal-community/court-rules/wv-trial-court-rules-contents) Source checked: 2026-07-27 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/anitaHaroldAshley) - [Official roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/anitaHaroldAshley) - [West Virginia Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/anitaHaroldAshley) - [West Virginia Trial Court Rules, Rule 8: Media Coverage of Court Proceedings](https://www.courtswv.gov/legal-community/court-rules/wv-trial-court-rules-contents) - [West Virginia Judiciary Calhoun County directory](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/calhoun_county) - [West Virginia Judiciary Jackson County directory](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/jackson_county) - [West Virginia Judiciary Mason County directory](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/mason_county) - [West Virginia Judiciary Roane County directory](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/roane_county) - [Judge Anita Harold Ashley](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/anitaHaroldAshley) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/anita-harold-ashley-wv-circuit-calhoun", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/anita-harold-ashley-wv-circuit-calhoun", "name": "Anita Harold Ashley | KnowJudges", "description": "Anita Harold Ashley, West Virginia Circuit Court, Calhoun County. 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Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.courtswv.gov/legal-community/court-rules/wv-trial-court-rules-contents). Collected 2026-07-27.