--- title: "Joseph Barki | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/joseph-barki-wv-circuit-brooke" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Joseph Barki West Virginia Circuit Court, Brooke County · Circuit Judge ## Profile - Court: West Virginia Circuit Court, Brooke 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 - 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 ## 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-joseph-barki) - [Official roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/judge-joseph-barki) - [West Virginia Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/judge-joseph-barki) - [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 Brooke County directory](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/brooke_county) - [West Virginia Judiciary Hancock County directory](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/hancock_county) - [West Virginia Judiciary Ohio County directory](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/ohio_county) - [Judge Joseph E. Barki III](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/judge-joseph-barki) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/joseph-barki-wv-circuit-brooke", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/joseph-barki-wv-circuit-brooke", "name": "Joseph Barki | KnowJudges", "description": "Joseph Barki, West Virginia Circuit Court, Brooke 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.