--- title: "James H. Young Jr | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-h-young-jr-wv-circuit-wayne" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # James H. Young Jr West Virginia Circuit Court, Wayne County · Circuit Judge ## Profile - Court: West Virginia Circuit Court, Wayne 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 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 ## 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/jamesYoung) - [Official roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/jamesYoung) - [West Virginia Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/jamesYoung) - [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) - [Judge James H. Young Jr.](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/jamesYoung) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-h-young-jr-wv-circuit-wayne", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-h-young-jr-wv-circuit-wayne", "name": "James H. Young Jr | KnowJudges", "description": "James H. Young Jr, West Virginia Circuit Court, Wayne 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/james-h-young-jr-wv-circuit-wayne#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-h-young-jr-wv-circuit-wayne#judge", "name": "James H. 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Young Jr", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-h-young-jr-wv-circuit-wayne" } ] } ] } ``` ## 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.