--- title: "Richard C. Witt | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/richard-c-witt-wv-family-putnam" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Richard C. Witt West Virginia Family Court, Putnam County · Family Court Judge ## Profile - Court: West Virginia Family Court, Putnam 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 - Judge Richard C. Witt is the elected Family Court judge for the Twenty‐Sixth Family Court Circuit in Putnam County, West Virginia, serving since 2014 and re‐elected in 2016 and 2024. - Earlier career experience includes attorney at Jack Hickok, Attorney at Law, for approximately three years; solo practitioner for approximately 14 years ### Education - B.A. in Political Science, West Virginia State University (1994) J.D., West Virginia University College of Law (1997) - Bachelor's degree, Political Science from West Virginia State University in 1994 ### Additional information - Election history: In 2014, Witt won the Republican primary and then the general election; in 2016, he ran unopposed; in 2024, he was re‐elected. - Judicial tenure: Elected in 2014 to complete William M. Watkins’ term; re‐elected in 2016 and 2024. - Office address: Putnam County Judicial Building 12093 Winfield Road, Winfield, WV 25213 Phone: 304‐586‐0242 | Fax: 304‐586‐0228. - Legal practice: Worked at Jack Hickok, Attorney at Law (~3 years), then as a sole practitioner for ~14 years before election. - Judge Witt presides over the Twenty‐Sixth Family Court Circuit, which handles family law matters such as divorce, custody, support, and related domestic cases in Putnam County. - Judge Witt is married to Sheryl Witt, has one son, two stepdaughters, and two step‐grandsons. - Born & raised: Red House, Putnam County, WV - He and his wife live on a farm in Putnam County raising beef cattle. - He has interests in hunting, shooting sports, and motorsports, including all‐terrain vehicle and late‐model stock car racing. ## 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/richardWitt) - [Official roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/richardWitt) - [West Virginia Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/richardWitt) - [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 Putnam County directory](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/putnam_county) - [Judge Richard C. Witt](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/richardWitt) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/richard-c-witt-wv-family-putnam", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/richard-c-witt-wv-family-putnam", "name": "Richard C. Witt | KnowJudges", "description": "Richard C. Witt, West Virginia Family Court, Putnam 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/richard-c-witt-wv-family-putnam#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/richard-c-witt-wv-family-putnam#judge", "name": "Richard C. 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