---
title: "Gary Thompson | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/gary-thompson-wv-magistrate-wayne"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Gary Thompson

West Virginia Magistrate Court, Wayne County · Magistrate

## Profile

- Court: West Virginia Magistrate Court, Wayne 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.

## 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/wayne_county)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/wayne_county)
- [West Virginia Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/wayne_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 Wayne County directory](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/wayne_county)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Nevada attorney with over 30 years of courtroom experience, running for Henderson Municipal Court Department 1 in the 2026 general election
- He argues that municipal court is often the public’s first contact with the justice system, and that judges should apply the law fairly, impartially, and with compassion

### Education

- Bachelor’s degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (1988) and a law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law (1995).

### Additional information

- Trial experience – trying cases before judges and juries
- The founder and lead attorney of the Law Office of Gary Thompson in Las Vegas, where he has practiced for more than three decades.
- Thompson is a long‐time Henderson resident with deep roots in the community, and he frames his campaign as a return to service rather than a political career move.



## 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.