--- title: "Debra McLaughlin | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/debra-mclaughlin-wv-circuit-berkeley" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Debra McLaughlin West Virginia Circuit Court, Berkeley County · Circuit Judge ## Profile - Court: West Virginia Circuit Court, Berkeley 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 Debra McLaughlin was appointed to the circuit court bench in August 2017 and has been re-elected and re-appointed multiple times, most recently in 2024 for the Twenty-Seventh Judicial Circuit, which includes Berkeley and Morgan Counties in West Virginia - Maintained a litigation practice while serving as a part-time Assistant Prosecutor in Morgan County - Judge McLaughlin’s combination of extensive prosecutorial experience, judicial service, and community involvement makes her a prominent figure in Morgan County and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia - She has been a Rotarian in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties, serves on the Finance Counsel of St. Peters Catholic Church in Maryland, and has contributed to the Court Appointed Special Advocates’ Board of Directors - Helped establish Teen Court at Berkeley Springs High School while serving as prosecutor ### Education - University of Kansas School of Law in — J.D. (1993) ### Additional information - She has lived in West Virginia since 1999 and continues to be deeply involved in both her professional and local communities. - Elected in May 2020 and re-elected in 2024. - Re-appointed in March 2019. - Appointed to the Twenty-Seventh Judicial Circuit in August 2017 and served through May 2018. - Earlier career experience includes practiced at Bochetto & Lentz in Philadelphia and Katherman & Heim in York, Pennsylvania; joined Harmison & Savasten in Berkeley Springs in 1999. - She began her legal career in Pennsylvania at the law firms Bochetto & Lentz and Katherman & Heim, before moving to West Virginia in 1999, where she joined Harmison & Savasten in Berkeley Springs. - Judge McLaughlin obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology with a concentration in criminal justice from St. Francis University in 1990, graduating from the Honors Program. - Served 15 years as Morgan County Prosecuting Attorney before appointment to the circuit court. - Beyond her judicial duties, Judge McLaughlin is active in the community. - She previously served 15 years as Morgan County Prosecuting Attorney, giving her a strong background in criminal law before transitioning to the judiciary. - After her appointment to the circuit court, Judge McLaughlin has been involved in both criminal and civil cases, bringing a unique prosecutorial perspective to the bench, complementing colleagues with civil law backgrounds. - She has also been active in community programs, including Teen Court at Berkeley Springs High School, which she helped establish during her tenure as Prosecuting Attorney. - Judge McLaughlin has been married to her husband, Kevin, an emergency room physician, for over 30 years, and they have three adult children. - She has also coached and led the Morgan County Soccer League, reflecting her commitment to youth and community engagement. ## 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/debraMcLaughlin) - [Official roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/debraMcLaughlin) - [West Virginia Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/debraMcLaughlin) - [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 Berkeley County directory](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/berkeley_county) - [West Virginia Judiciary Morgan County directory](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/morgan_county) - [Judge Debra McLaughlin](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/debraMcLaughlin) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/debra-mclaughlin-wv-circuit-berkeley", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/debra-mclaughlin-wv-circuit-berkeley", "name": "Debra McLaughlin | KnowJudges", "description": "Debra McLaughlin, West Virginia Circuit Court, Berkeley 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.