--- title: "Lorena Cantwell | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lorena-cantwell-wv-magistrate-ritchie" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Lorena Cantwell West Virginia Magistrate Court, Ritchie County · Magistrate ## Profile - Court: West Virginia Magistrate Court, Ritchie 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 - The incumbent Magistrate Judge for Division 1 in Ritchie County, West Virginia, serving a nonpartisan term from 2026 to 2028 - Election: She is a candidate for re‐election in the 2026 county court judge race - Lorena Cantwell holds the position of Magistrate Judge – Division 1 in the Ritchie County Magisterial Court system - Also listed in the official West Virginia Judiciary directory as the Magistrate Clerk for the Ritchie County Judicial Complex ### Education ### Additional information - Lorena L. Cantwell as Ritchie County Magistrate, Division 1, and a candidate for an unexpired magistrate seat in 2026. - Public profiles note that Cantwell is an independent, civic‐minded judge serving in a nonpartisan capacity. - This role involves presiding over cases within the county’s magisterial district, which typically includes civil matters, small claims, and other matters within the magistrate’s jurisdiction. - While specific biographical details are not extensive in the available sources, her official listings emphasize her role in the judicial system and her focus on serving constituents within Ritchie County. ## 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/ritchie_county) - [Official roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/ritchie_county) - [West Virginia Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/ritchie_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 Ritchie County directory](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/ritchie_county) - [www.courtswv.gov](https://www.courtswv.gov/node/32765) - [oppintell.com](https://oppintell.com/candidates/west-virginia/lorena-cantwell-f20abcbd) - [goodparty.org](https://goodparty.org/people/lorena-cantwell-e1a845d4) - [mountainstatespotlight.org](https://mountainstatespotlight.org/govpack_profiles/lorena-cantwell/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lorena-cantwell-wv-magistrate-ritchie", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lorena-cantwell-wv-magistrate-ritchie", "name": "Lorena Cantwell | KnowJudges", "description": "Lorena Cantwell, West Virginia Magistrate Court, Ritchie 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.