---
title: "Mike Ferrell | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mike-ferrell-wv-magistrate-kanawha"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Mike Ferrell

West Virginia Magistrate Court, Kanawha County · Magistrate

## Profile

- Court: West Virginia Magistrate Court, Kanawha 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

- On January 24, 2024, Ferrell submitted his resignation to Kanawha County Chief Circuit Judge Maryclaire Akers, who then forwarded it to the West Virginia Supreme Court
- WCHS reports on January 20, 2024 that he submitted his resignation to Chief Circuit Judge Maryclaire Akers late Friday afternoon (January 19), after nearly one four-year term.
- Election context: The West Virginia Legislature had added three new magistrates and one new circuit judge to Kanawha County in a prior year, bringing the total to 13 magistrates and 8 circuit judges

### Education



### Additional information

- He remained on the ballot for the Division 7 seat in the 2024 election, but as of the reporting date had no opponent.
- He won the seat in May 2020, defeating incumbent Jess Bailes by nearly 6,000 votes.
- The report says he defeated incumbent Jess Bailes in the 2020 election by nearly 6,000 votes and remained filed for reelection at the time.
- The resignation came abruptly, and Ferrell stated it was “about the retirement board” but did not elaborate further at the time.
- Mike Ferrell held the role of a Kanawha County Magistrate for almost a full four‐year term, a position that handles a wide range of local criminal and civil cases in West Virginia’s busiest circuit.
- Mike Ferrell held the role of a Kanawha County magistrate in Division 7.

## 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/kanawha_county)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/kanawha_county)
- [West Virginia Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/kanawha_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 Kanawha County directory](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/kanawha_county)
- [wchstv.com](https://wchstv.com/news/local/kanawha-county-magistrate-resigns)
- [www.wowktv.com](https://www.wowktv.com/news/west-virginia/kanawha-county-wv/kanawha-county-magistrate-mike-ferrell-resigns/)
- [www.ballotready.org](https://www.ballotready.org/people/mike-ferrell)

## JSON-LD

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@graph": [
    {
      "@type": "WebPage",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mike-ferrell-wv-magistrate-kanawha",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mike-ferrell-wv-magistrate-kanawha",
      "name": "Mike Ferrell | KnowJudges",
      "description": "Mike Ferrell, West Virginia Magistrate Court, Kanawha County. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.",
      "dateModified": "2026-10-07",
      "isPartOf": {
        "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website"
      },
      "mainEntity": {
        "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mike-ferrell-wv-magistrate-kanawha#judge"
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Person",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mike-ferrell-wv-magistrate-kanawha#judge",
      "name": "Mike Ferrell",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mike-ferrell-wv-magistrate-kanawha",
      "jobTitle": "Magistrate",
      "worksFor": {
        "@type": "GovernmentOrganization",
        "name": "West Virginia Magistrate Court, Kanawha County"
      },
      "sameAs": [
        "https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/kanawha_county"
      ]
    },
    {
      "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
      "itemListElement": [
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 1,
          "name": "KnowJudges",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 2,
          "name": "West Virginia",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/west-virginia"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 3,
          "name": "Mike Ferrell",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mike-ferrell-wv-magistrate-kanawha"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```