Charles S. Trump IV at a glance
- Current role
- Justice
- Jurisdiction
- West Virginia · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Charles S. Trump IV
Biography
Professional career
- Nonpartisan justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, elected in May 2024 to a 12‐year term beginning January 1, 2025, and serving until December 31, 2036
- Morgan County prosecuting attorney (1989–1992)
- Practiced with his family firm, Trump and Trump, and held the role of Morgan County prosecutor from 1989 to 1992.
- In summary: Charles S. Trump IV is a seasoned West Virginia legislator and attorney now serving as a justice on the state’s highest appellate court, with a background in public service, judicial leadership, and legal practice in his home county
Education
- West Virginia University College of Law — J.D. (1985)
- in Politics, Princeton University — B.A. (1982)
Additional information
- His official term runs through 2036.
- Elected in 2024 to a twelve-year West Virginia Supreme Court term beginning January 1, 2025.
- Elected in the May 14, 2024 general election with 100% of the vote in a nonpartisan race.
- Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee (2015–2024)
- He chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee from 2015 to 2024 and led legislation creating the Intermediate Court of Appeals, which began operating July 1, 2022.
- West Virginia Senate (2014–2024)
- He served in the House of Delegates from 1993 to 2006, as minority whip from 1996 to 1998 and minority leader from 1998 to 2006, and in the Senate from 2015 to 2024.
- Led legislation creating the Intermediate Court of Appeals of West Virginia, which began in 2022
- Held leadership roles including House Minority Leader (1998–2006) and House Minority Whip (1996–1998)
- West Virginia House of Delegates (1992–2006)
- held the role of Recorder of Berkeley Springs (1987)
- Born October 3, 1960 in Winchester, Virginia and raised in Berkeley Springs, he obtained a politics bachelor’s degree from Princeton in 1982 and a law degree from WVU in 1985.
- Born October 3, 1960, in Winchester, Virginia, and raised in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia.
- His legal career includes work at his family’s Berkeley Springs law firm, Trump and Trump, established in 1932.
- representing the 15th district
- representing the 51st district
- Trump is one of five justices on the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, selected through a nonpartisan election.
- At the time of his election, he was also chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
- He succeeded John A. Hutchison and is unrelated to former U.S. President Donald Trump.
- He is married to Susan Johnston Trump and has three children.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Camera And Audio Equipment
Statewide
West Virginia Trial Court Rule 8 makes courtroom camera and audio equipment subject to the presiding circuit judge's or magistrate's permission.
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 ↗
Advance Media Request Timing
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.
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 ↗
Sources
Identity source checked August 22, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
West Virginia Judiciary official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 22, 2026
View West Virginia Judiciary official judicial roster ↗West Virginia Trial Court Rules, Rule 8: Media Coverage of Court Proceedings
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 27, 2026
View West Virginia Trial Court Rules, Rule 8: Media Coverage of Court Proceedings ↗