--- title: "Delbert Roush | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/delbert-roush-wv-magistrate-kanawha" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Delbert Roush West Virginia Magistrate Court, Kanawha County · Magistrate ## Profile - Court: West Virginia Magistrate Court, Kanawha County - State: West Virginia - Role: Magistrate - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-27 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Sworn in on January 8, 2026, by Kanawha County Circuit Court Chief Judge Kenneth Ballard to fill the seat vacated by former magistrate John Luoni - Delbert J. Roush III is the Kanawha County Magisterial Judge for Division 13, appointed in January 2026 after a 26‐year career in the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office. - Delbert Roush III was sworn in as a Kanawha County magistrate on January 8, 2026 by Chief Circuit Judge Kenneth Ballard after appointment to the seat vacated by John Luoni’s resignation. - Before becoming a judge, Roush spent 26 years in law enforcement with the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, retiring as a lieutenant in September 2025. - In summary: Delbert Roush III is a seasoned law enforcement leader now serving as a magistrate judge in Kanawha County, bringing decades of public service, courtroom experience, and a commitment to fairness to the bench - His sheriff’s-office roles included circuit court bailiff for Judge Duke Bloom, with exposure to criminal and civil cases ### Education ### Additional information - Magisterial Judge – Division 13 and is set to hold the position until May 12, 2030. - The role is nonpartisan, and he is also listed as a candidate for re‐election in the 2026 West Virginia primary. - WCHS reports he retired in 2025 after 26 years at the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office. - Shift supervisor for D shift - Roush has stated that his long career in law enforcement and his enjoyment of helping people motivated him to seek the judicial role. - Chief Judge Ballard praised his “wealth of expertise and proven commitment to justice and public safety”. - He also held the role of a bailiff in both criminal and civil cases, giving him extensive courtroom experience. - He emphasizes that citizens can expect fair decisions in both civil and criminal matters due to his courtroom background. ## 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/kanawha_county) - [Official roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/kanawha_county) - [West Virginia Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/kanawha_county) - [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 Kanawha County directory](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/kanawha_county) - [wchstv.com](https://wchstv.com/news/local/kanawha-county-welcomes-delbert-roush-former-sheriffs-deputy-as-new-magistrate) - [www.wvgazettemail.com](https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/delbert-roush-sworn-in-as-kanawha-county-magistrate-judge/article_5f5d772b-139b-4fcb-82cc-696e32eed526.html) - [www.ballotready.org](https://www.ballotready.org/people/delbert-j-roush-iii) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/delbert-roush-wv-magistrate-kanawha", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/delbert-roush-wv-magistrate-kanawha", "name": "Delbert Roush | KnowJudges", "description": "Delbert Roush, West Virginia Magistrate Court, Kanawha County. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-10-07", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/delbert-roush-wv-magistrate-kanawha#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/delbert-roush-wv-magistrate-kanawha#judge", "name": "Delbert Roush", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/delbert-roush-wv-magistrate-kanawha", "jobTitle": "Magistrate", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "West Virginia Magistrate Court, Kanawha County" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/kanawha_county" ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "KnowJudges", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "West Virginia", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/west-virginia" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Delbert Roush", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/delbert-roush-wv-magistrate-kanawha" } ] } ] } ``` ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [West Virginia Trial Court Rules, Rule 8: Media Coverage of Court Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-7bfc4ba5831cb3f30a5d65ca) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. 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.