---
title: "Joyce D. Chernenko | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/joyce-d-chernenko-wv-family-brooke"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Joyce D. Chernenko

West Virginia Family Court, Brooke County · Family Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: West Virginia Family Court, Brooke County
- State: West Virginia
- Role: Family Court Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-27

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career


### Education

- B.A. in Communications, Bethany College, 1978 J.D., West Virginia University College of Law

### Additional information

- Creating courthouse children’s rooms, adopting mediation and parent education programs, mentoring Bethany pre-law interns, and advising its Zeta Tau Alpha chapter since 1996.
- Judicial Service: Appointed by Governor Gaston Caperton in 1996 Elected in 2002 Serving in family court for over 20 years
- Long‐time judge of the First Family Court Circuit in West Virginia, presiding over cases in Brooke, Hancock, and Ohio counties.
- Primary Location: Brooke County Judicial Center, 620 Main Street, 3rd Floor, Wellsburg, WV 26070
- Case Types: Divorce, parenting, paternity, guardianship, child support, civil domestic violence, and other family law matters.
- Special Initiatives: Has created children’s rooms adjacent to courtrooms in Ohio and Hancock counties to provide safe spaces for children during proceedings.
- Official West Virginia Judiciary page: Judge Joyce D. Chernenko
- Legal Career: Practiced domestic relations law for 14 years before judicial appointment.
- Judge Chernenko emphasizes fair treatment of all individuals, especially children, and has focused on judicial administration in family court to ensure stability and safety for children caught in family disputes.
- Early Life: Born and raised in Weirton, WV, in a diverse community that shaped her commitment to fairness and equal treatment.
- Joyce Dumbaugh Chernenko serves the First Family Court Circuit, covering Brooke, Hancock and Ohio counties, confirmed by the official court page.

## 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/family-judges/joyceChernenko)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/family-judges/joyceChernenko)
- [West Virginia Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/family-judges/joyceChernenko)
- [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)
- [wvexecutive.com](https://wvexecutive.com/joyce-dumbaugh-chernenko/)
- [ballotpedia.org](https://ballotpedia.org/Joyce_Chernenko)
- [www.weirtondailytimes.com](https://www.weirtondailytimes.com/news/local-news/2024/01/chernenko-to-seek-re-election-as-family-court-judge/)

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