James H. Young Jr at a glance
- Current role
- Circuit Judge
- Jurisdiction
- West Virginia · State
- Judicial service
- Active
James H. Young Jr
Circuit Judge · West Virginia Circuit Court, Wayne County
Biography
Professional career
- Judge James H. Young, Jr. is the elected judge of the 24th Judicial Circuit (Wayne County, West Virginia), serving since 2009 and re‐elected in 2016, 2024, and most recently in 2024
- Prosecutor: held the role of Wayne County Prosecutor from 1997 to 2008
- Legal Practice: Partner in law firms in Cincinnati, OH, and Huntington, WV
- Has been temporarily assigned to the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia in cases involving a recused justice
Education
- West Virginia University College of Law in — J.D. (1979)
- Bachelor's degree from Marshall University in 1974
Additional information
- Elected in 2010 and re-elected in 2016 and 2024.
- Judicial Service: Member of the Business Court Division (2013–2021) Temporarily assigned to the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals when justices were recused Member of the West Virginia Judicial Association
- Appointed to a new circuit court seat in Wayne County and took office January 1, 2009.
- Earlier career experience includes member of and partner in law firms in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Huntington, West Virginia; wayne County Prosecuting Attorney, 1997-2008.
- High School: Ceredo‐Kenova High School, 1971
- Married to former Shonda Donahue; two daughters
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 ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
West Virginia Trial Court Rules, Rule 8: Media Coverage of Court Proceedings
West Virginia Circuit Court, Wayne County
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 ↗ · Collected 2026-07-27Sources
Identity source checked July 27, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
West Virginia Judiciary official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 27, 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 ↗West Virginia Judiciary Wayne County directory
Identity/Contact/Assignment source · HTML · Source checked October 4, 2026
View West Virginia Judiciary Wayne County directory ↗Judge James H. Young Jr.
Biography source · HTML · Source checked October 5, 2026
View Judge James H. Young Jr. ↗