--- title: "Joe Shaffer | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/joe-shaffer-wv-circuit-harrison" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Joe Shaffer West Virginia Circuit Court, Harrison County · Circuit Judge ## Profile - Court: West Virginia Circuit Court, Harrison 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 Joseph F. Shaffer, Jr. is the elected judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit (Harrison County, WV), taking office January 1, 2025 after being elected in May 2024. - He later became a partner at Shaffer Madia Law, PLLC (2015–2024) - Harrison County prosecuting attorney, 2003–2015; and Shaffer Madia Law partner, 2015–2024 - He held the role of Clarksburg Police civil service commissioner, 1998–2003, and Fire Department civil service commissioner, 2019–2024 - Began his legal career in Clarksburg in 1995 as an associate at the Law Office of Scot Dieringer, later practicing solo at Shaffer Law Office (1997–2003) - Associate at Scot Dieringer’s law office, 1995–1997; solo practitioner at Shaffer Law Office, 1997–2003 - 12 years as Harrison County Prosecutor - Service as general counsel to the Harrison County Commission, achieving over $100,000/year in savings ### Education - Thomas M. Cooley Law School (Western Michigan University) — J.D. (1994) - in Business and Economics — Fairmont State College — B.A. (1982) ### Additional information - His term runs until May 14, 2032. - Joseph F. Shaffer, Jr. was elected in May 2024 to the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, Harrison County, and took office January 1, 2025. - Admitted to the West Virginia Bar in 1995 - Born and raised in Clarksburg, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in business and economics at Fairmont State College in 1982 and a law degree at Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1994. - City attorney for Lumberport, Lost Creek, Shinnston, and Stonewood - handling serious criminal and homicide cases, child abuse/neglect cases, and mass tort/class action litigation - 19th Judicial Circuit Court in Harrison County, West Virginia, presiding over civil and criminal cases in the county. - Former municipal attorney for Lumberport, Lost Creek, Shinnston, and Stonewood; former YMCA and Jerry West Youth Basketball League board member and coach. - He is married to Suzanne C. Shaffer, a retired elementary school teacher, and they have two adult daughters. - Born and raised in Clarksburg, Shaffer attended Notre Dame High School. ## 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/judge-joe-shaffer) - [Official roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/judge-joe-shaffer) - [West Virginia Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/judge-joe-shaffer) - [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 Harrison County directory](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/harrison_county) - [www.courtswv.gov](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/judge-joseph-f-shaffer-jr) - [joeforjudge.com](https://joeforjudge.com/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/joe-shaffer-wv-circuit-harrison", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/joe-shaffer-wv-circuit-harrison", "name": "Joe Shaffer | KnowJudges", "description": "Joe Shaffer, West Virginia Circuit Court, Harrison County. 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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.