--- title: "Michael Simms | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-simms-wv-circuit-monongalia" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Michael Simms West Virginia Circuit Court, Monongalia County · Circuit Judge ## Profile - Court: West Virginia Circuit Court, Monongalia 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 Michael D. Simms is the newly elected Circuit Court Judge for Monongalia County (21st Judicial Circuit), taking office January 1, 2025, and serving an eight‐year term - Appointed in 2021 to establish and lead the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Public Defender Corporation - Public Service: Appointed as a Commissioner of the Court (2019) and later led the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Public Defender Corporation (2021) - Commissioner of the Court in the then-Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, beginning 2019 - Earlier career experience includes associate, Simms Law Office in Elizabeth after law school; founded Simms Law Office in Morgantown in 2007 - Judge Simms has nearly 20 years in legal practice, with 17 years running his own firm in Monongalia County - His office is located at the Monongalia County Justice Center, 75 High Street, Suite 33, Morgantown, WV 26505 ### Education - B.A. in Political Science/Pre‐Law, West Virginia University (2000) J.D., California Western School of Law, San Diego, CA (2005) - Bachelor's degree, Political Science/Pre-Law from West Virginia University in 2000 ### Additional information - He officially began his tenure on January 1, 2025 and will serve an eight‐year term. - Elected to the Twenty-First Judicial Circuit in 2024 and took office January 1, 2025. - Elected in 2024 and sworn in during a December 2024 investiture ceremony in Morgantown, West Virginia. - 2023: John A. - 2006: Wiley W. Manual Award for Pro Bono Legal Services - He has emphasized community engagement during his campaign, meeting residents at events such as dinners, fairs, and bingo nights. - focusing on criminal defense, student disciplinary defense, administrative law and civil litigation. - Former Big Brother Big Sisters of America mentor, Senior Monongalians Inc. board member, pro bono attorney for Aspire Services, Inc., and member of Cheat Lake Rotary. - Born: Parkersburg, West Virginia; raised in Wirt and Calhoun Counties - “Jack” Rogers Award for Outstanding Leadership in Public Service - He and his wife have two children, and his hobbies include running, cycling, and international travel. ## 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-michael-simms) - [Official roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/judge-michael-simms) - [West Virginia Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/judge-michael-simms) - [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 Monongalia County directory](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/monongalia_county) - [Judge Michael Simms](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/judge-michael-simms) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-simms-wv-circuit-monongalia", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-simms-wv-circuit-monongalia", "name": "Michael Simms | KnowJudges", "description": "Michael Simms, West Virginia Circuit Court, Monongalia 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.