Joseph Barki at a glance
- Current role
- Circuit Judge
- Jurisdiction
- West Virginia · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Joseph Barki
Circuit Judge · West Virginia Circuit Court, Brooke County
Biography
Professional career
- Sworn in as a Judge of the First Judicial Circuit Court, which covers Ohio, Brooke, and Hancock Counties in West Virginia, following his election in May 2024 where he defeated longtime incumbent Ronald Wilson.
- Brooke County Prosecuting Attorney, 2013 until taking the bench
- Elected Brooke County Prosecutor in 2013 and handled more than 1,000 felony cases, including 10 murder trials and multiple juvenile and abuse/neglect cases.
- Additionally, he was named a special assistant to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2012
- His colleagues praise him for fairness, compassion, and integrity, reflecting his commitment to justice and community service
Education
- Widener Law School in — J.D. (2000)
- Degrees in Political Science and Psychology, summa cum laude from Bethany College in 1996
- Law degree from Widener University Law School, ranking in the top 8% of his class.
Additional information
- Elected to the First Judicial Circuit in 2024 and took office January 1, 2025.
- Part-time Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Brooke, Hancock and Ohio Counties during portions of 2001-2017.
- Solo practice, 2001-2012.
- Earlier career experience includes west Virginia State Trooper for one year before law school; attorney, Bailey and Wyant, PLLC, for one year after law school.
- Barki emphasizes swift case resolution, particularly in abuse and neglect cases, to ensure timely justice for children.
- He also held the role of a state trooper and graduated from the West Virginia State Police Academy.
- Before joining the bench, Barki served over 20 years in the Brooke County Prosecutor’s Office, including roles as assistant prosecuting attorney in Brooke, Hancock, and Ohio counties.
- He also argued successfully six times before the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals and held the role of counsel in civil trials.
- His eight-year term began with a focus on criminal cases in Hancock County to avoid conflicts of interest in Brooke County.
- Barki is a native of Windsor Heights, West Virginia.
- While at Widener, he received the Alexander V. Sarcone Award for excellence in criminal law and was named to the Order of Barristers for outstanding oral advocacy.
- Barki has been active in law enforcement and community initiatives, serving as president of the Hancock-Brooke-Weirton Drug Task Force, a member of the Northern Panhandle Community Correction Board, and on the Northern District of West Virginia Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council.
- Barki is married to Kelly Barki and has three children: Abby, Joey, and Eva.
- He emphasizes a practical, hands-on approach to his judicial duties, reflecting his blue-collar upbringing and dedication to public service.
- Alexander V. Sarcone Award at Widener Law School
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, Brooke County; West Virginia Circuit Court, Hancock County; West Virginia Circuit Court, Ohio 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 Brooke County directory
Identity/Contact/Assignment source · HTML · Source checked October 4, 2026
View West Virginia Judiciary Brooke County directory ↗West Virginia Judiciary Hancock County directory
Identity/Contact/Assignment source · HTML · Source checked October 4, 2026
View West Virginia Judiciary Hancock County directory ↗West Virginia Judiciary Ohio County directory
Identity/Contact/Assignment source · HTML · Source checked October 4, 2026
View West Virginia Judiciary Ohio County directory ↗Judge Joseph E. Barki III
Biography source · HTML · Source checked October 5, 2026
View Judge Joseph E. Barki III ↗