---
title: "Susan Riffle | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/susan-riffle-wv-family-marion"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Susan Riffle

West Virginia Family Court, Marion County · Family Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: West Virginia Family Court, Marion 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 Susan Riffle is the elected judge for West Virginia’s Nineteenth Family Court Circuit (Marion County), serving since 2016 and re‐elected in 2024.
- Attorney, Hodges & Riffle PLLC, 2006-2016
- Earlier career experience includes solo practitioner, 1990-2000; marion County Prosecuting Attorney, 2001-2004
- Judge Riffle is a native of Harrison County and grew up in Clarksburg, WV

### Education

- West Virginia University College of Law in — J.D. (1990)
- Bachelor's degree, Business from Fairmont State College in 1987
- in Business — Fairmont State College — B.A. (1987)

### Additional information

- Won the 2016 general election for Circuit 19, defeating incumbent Amy Swisher with 69.9% of the vote.
- Sole practitioner — 1990–2000
- President, Stepping Stone, Inc.
- West Virginia family court judges are elected in nonpartisan contests; initial terms are six years, subsequent terms eight years.
- She has a long-standing legal career spanning over three decades, combining public service as a prosecutor with private legal practice before her judicial appointment.
- Trustee, LIFE United Methodist Church

## 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/susanRiffle)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/susanRiffle)
- [West Virginia Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/susanRiffle)
- [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 Marion County directory](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/marion_county)
- [Judge Susan Riffle](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/susanRiffle)

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