--- title: "James T. Pocius | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-t-pocius-wv-magistrate-monongalia" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # James T. Pocius West Virginia Magistrate Court, Monongalia County · Magistrate ## Profile - Court: West Virginia Magistrate Court, Monongalia 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 - Magistrate for the Monongalia County Magistrate Court in West Virginia, appointed in 2023 by Chief Judge Perri J. DeChristopher - Earlier Roles: Bailiff for Hon. Susan Tucker, 17th Judicial Circuit Court, Monongalia County Court security guard (2008) Police officer, Brownsville Police Department, Fayette County, PA ### Education ### Additional information - Appointed: March 7, 2023, to fill the vacancy left by former magistrate P. Todd Gaujot. - James T. Pocius as a Monongalia County magistrate, appointed March 7, 2023 by Perri Jo DeChristopher following the vacancy associated with Gaujot. - 2020 Election: Lost re‐election to P. Todd Gaujot. - It records an earlier 2019 appointment after Darris Summers retired and an unsuccessful 2020 election. - First Magistrate Appointment: 2019, appointed by Chief Judge Susan Tucker after the retirement of Darris Summers. - Chief Judge DeChristopher’s order noted Pocius’s prior magistrate experience, allowing him to immediately assume the role without delay. - Pocius’s return to the bench provides continuity and immediate case handling capacity. - Colleague Magistrate Ron Bane praised Pocius’s familiarity with local court operations, and county commissioners highlighted the need for experienced magistrates due to a heavy caseload. - These are captured claims requiring direct source confirmation. ## 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/monongalia_county) - [Official roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/monongalia_county) - [West Virginia Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/monongalia_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 Monongalia County directory](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/monongalia_county) - [www.wvnews.com](https://www.wvnews.com/morgantownnews/news/new-magistrate-named-in-monongalia-county-west-virginia/article_f17a1e56-bdd6-11ed-914a-ffd8237b8c93.html) - [www.courtswv.gov](https://www.courtswv.gov/node/32715) - [ronbane.com](https://ronbane.com/2023/03/08/ron-bane-welcomes-tim-pocius-back-and-looks-forward-to-the-opportunity-to-work-with-him-again-as-magistrate/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-t-pocius-wv-magistrate-monongalia", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-t-pocius-wv-magistrate-monongalia", "name": "James T. 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