--- title: "Robert A. Waters | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-a-waters-wv-circuit-wood" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Robert A. Waters West Virginia Circuit Court, Wood County · Circuit Judge ## Profile - Court: West Virginia Circuit Court, Wood 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 Robert A. Waters is the presiding judge of the Fourth Judicial Circuit in Wood County, West Virginia, elected in 1992 and re‐elected in 2000, 2008, 2016, and most recently in 2024 - Prosecutorial service: Assistant Wood County Prosecutor (1979–1982, 1989–1992) - Earlier career experience includes private practice in Parkersburg, 1979-1992; assistant Prosecutor, Wood County, 1979-1982 and 1989-1992 - To serve on a West Virginia Circuit Court, a judge must be a West Virginia citizen for at least five years, a resident of the circuit, at least 30 years old, and have practiced law for at least five years ### Education - West Virginia University College of Law — West Virginia Law Review, AmJur Award in Criminal Law — J.D. (1979) - Bachelor's degree, Government and Economics from West Virginia Wesleyan College in 1976 - Attended the National Judicial College (University of Nevada, Reno) ### Additional information - Elected to the bench: 1992 (then covering Wood and Wirt Counties) - Elected to the circuit bench in 1992. - Private practice: Parkersburg, WV, 1979–1992 - High school: Parkersburg High School, 1973 - Professional memberships: West Virginia Judicial Association, West Virginia Bar Association - Diploma of Judicial Skills from the American Judges Association. - Past president of Henry Logan Children’s Home; active in Rotary and Boy Scouts - In summary: Judge Robert A. Waters is a long‐time, highly experienced judicial officer in West Virginia, with a career spanning private practice, prosecutorial service, and over three decades on the bench, recognized for both legal expertise and community involvement. - Married to Robin; three children ## 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/robertWaters) - [Official roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/robertWaters) - [West Virginia Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/robertWaters) - [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 Wood County directory](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/wood_county) - [Judge Robert A. Waters](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/robertWaters) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-a-waters-wv-circuit-wood", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-a-waters-wv-circuit-wood", "name": "Robert A. Waters | KnowJudges", "description": "Robert A. Waters, West Virginia Circuit Court, Wood 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/robert-a-waters-wv-circuit-wood#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-a-waters-wv-circuit-wood#judge", "name": "Robert A. 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