174 Chancery Row · Beside the Monongalia County Courthouse

Morgantown Personal Injury & Criminal Defense Lawyers

Slavey & Shumaker PLLC is located on Chancery Row, adjacent to the Monongalia County Courthouse and a block from the Monongalia County Justice Center. When you are facing serious charges or recovering from a serious injury, our attorneys are steps away from the courts where your case will be decided.

Can’t come to Morgantown?
Telephone consultations are available. Call (304) 212-5791.
Personal Injury

Hurt by someone else’s negligence?

We represent injured people throughout the State of West Virginia, including Monongalia, Preston, Marion and Harrison Counties. No fee unless we recover.

Personal Injury Lawyers
Criminal Defense

Charged with a crime?

We defend people charged with crimes in Monongalia, Preston, Marion and Harrison Counties, from citations to serious felonies.

Criminal Defense Lawyers
Practice Areas

How We Can Help

Car Accidents If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Morgantown, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We handle insurance negotiations and litigation to maximize your recovery. Car Accidents → Truck Accidents Truck accidents often result in catastrophic injuries. We investigate crashes involving tractor-trailers, delivery trucks and commercial fleets and pursue full compensation. Truck Accidents → Personal Injury If you were injured because of someone else’s negligence, we handle slip and falls, premises liability, workplace injuries and wrongful death claims. Personal Injury → Credit Reporting Errors We represent consumers dealing with inaccurate, incomplete or fraudulent information under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, including identity theft, mixed files and incorrect account reporting. Credit Reporting Errors → Criminal Defense We defend clients against citations, misdemeanors and felonies, including drug charges, assault and theft offenses. Criminal Defense → DUI Offenses A DUI charge can affect your license, employment and future. We challenge traffic stops, testing procedures and evidence, and routinely handle refusal allegations and hearings. DUI Offenses → WVU Student Conduct Students facing the WVU Office of Student Conduct over academic dishonesty, alcohol or drug allegations, hazing or Title IX matters should not face it alone. WVU Student Conduct → Criminal Record Expungement We handle expungements for dismissed charges and qualifying misdemeanor and nonviolent felony convictions, so you can move forward with a clean slate. Criminal Record Expungement →
What To Do Next

The first steps that protect your case

After a crash or injury

  1. Get medical care right away and follow your doctor’s treatment plan.
  2. Report the crash to the police and get the report number.
  3. Take photos of the scene, the vehicles and your injuries, and get witness names and phone numbers.
  4. Keep every medical bill, record and receipt, and track the work you miss.
  5. Talk with a lawyer before giving a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company.
  6. Act early. Most personal injury lawsuits in West Virginia must be filed within two years.

After an arrest or criminal charge

  1. Do not discuss the facts of your case with police, friends or on social media before you talk with a lawyer.
  2. Keep your paperwork, including the citation, complaint, bond papers and any court dates.
  3. Write down what happened while you remember it, including the names of witnesses.
  4. Charged with DUI? Two 30-day deadlines can start right away. See the DUI question below.
  5. Call a defense lawyer before your first court date.
Meet Our Team

Four attorneys, steps from the courthouse.

You deal directly with your attorney, from the first call through the last hearing.

About our firm →

Recognition

J. Tyler Slavey: West Virginia Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2015 and 2017 to 2023. J. Brandon Shumaker: Super Lawyers Criminal Defense Rising Star, 2019 to 2023; Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer, The National Trial Lawyers, 2019; Avvo Clients’ Choice, 2014 and 2015.

Professional Associations

West Virginia State Bar, West Virginia Association for Justice, Monongalia County Bar Association and American Bar Association.

Notable Experience

Tyler’s representative cases include decisions of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia and the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, where he is admitted to practice. He has tried multiple cases to verdict and has represented WVU students in student conduct proceedings.

In Our Clients’ Words

What clients say about working with us

“Brandon was the best to work with! After my car accident, he made the settlement process extremely easy, stress-free, and he was quick during the process too. He helped me out a lot and got me exactly what I needed, would definitely work with him again if it is necessary!”
Google review
Car accident, J. Brandon Shumaker
“My expungement case couldn’t have gone better, and that’s thanks to Scott Harris and the team at Slavey & Shumaker PLLC. From our first conversation, Scott was direct, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in getting the best outcome for me. He walked me through every step of the process, kept me updated consistently, and never left me guessing about where things stood.”
Google review
Record expungement, Scott B. Harris
“Tyler was great. Communication was always on point, very professional and good at presenting and arguing your defense. If I ever find myself in a pinch again, I know who I’m calling.”
Google review
Criminal defense, J. Tyler Slavey
“We had a wonderful experience with Kasey Libby! He was very knowledgeable, professional, and extremely helpful in my son‘s case. He really took the time to explain everything to us, and was always available to answer any questions we had.”
Google review
Kasey Libby

Excerpts from Google reviews. Each client’s experience is individual, and results depend on the facts of each case. Read more client reviews →

Why Choose Us

When the outcome matters, the right firm makes the difference.

Founded in 2019, Slavey & Shumaker PLLC represents individuals and businesses in the Morgantown community, from established companies and small startups to people hurt in a car wreck and clients facing serious criminal charges.

We represent injured people throughout West Virginia and defend people charged with crimes in Monongalia, Preston, Marion and Harrison Counties.

Founded
2019, by J. Tyler Slavey and J. Brandon Shumaker
Office
174 Chancery Row, Morgantown, WV 26505
Attorneys
Four
Practice
Personal injury, criminal defense, consumer protection, civil litigation and WVU student conduct
Fees
Personal injury: no fee unless we recover. Criminal and civil cases: generally hourly.
Consultations
Free, in person or by telephone

Local Experience in Morgantown Courts

Our attorneys regularly handle cases in Monongalia County courts and understand the local legal system, prosecutors and procedures.

Focused on Injury and Criminal Defense

We concentrate on personal injury claims and criminal defense, including car accidents, DUI, drug charges and serious felonies.

Strategic Representation

Whether negotiating a settlement or fighting in court, we build strategies tailored to protect your rights and maximize results.

Client-Focused Approach

Clear communication, responsive service and personal attention for every client.

Areas We Serve

North-central West Virginia, and injury cases statewide

We represent injured people throughout the State of West Virginia, including Monongalia, Preston, Marion and Harrison Counties. We defend people charged with crimes in Monongalia, Preston, Marion and Harrison Counties.

Monongalia County

County seat: Morgantown. Criminal defense and personal injury. Our office is on Chancery Row, adjacent to the courthouse.

Monongalia County lawyers →

Preston County

County seat: Kingwood. Criminal defense and personal injury.

Preston County lawyers →

Marion County

County seat: Fairmont. Criminal defense and personal injury.

Marion County lawyers →

Harrison County

County seat: Clarksburg. Criminal defense and personal injury.

Harrison County lawyers →

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer after a car accident in Morgantown, WV?
A Morgantown personal injury lawyer can protect your rights after a car accident, deal with insurance companies and pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Early legal representation often leads to stronger case outcomes.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in West Virginia?
In most cases, a lawsuit for personal injuries must be filed within two years after the right to bring it accrues, under West Virginia Code § 55-2-12(b). Other deadlines can apply in some cases, so talk with a lawyer as early as possible.
Which court will hear my criminal case?
Most cases begin in magistrate court, which hears all misdemeanors and holds preliminary examinations on felony warrants. A felony must be tried on an indictment in circuit court. Our office is adjacent to the Monongalia County Courthouse and a block from the Monongalia County Justice Center.
What should I do if I am charged with a DUI in Morgantown?
Contact a DUI defense attorney right away. A lawyer can challenge the traffic stop, the test results and the evidence, and work to reduce penalties or dismiss charges when possible. Two deadlines start early: 30 days from arrest to notify the court if you want to use the DUI Deferral Program, and 30 days from your first court appearance to request a refusal review hearing if you are accused of refusing the secondary chemical test.
Can I get my criminal record expunged in West Virginia?
In many cases, yes. West Virginia law allows expungement of certain arrests, dismissed charges, and qualifying misdemeanor and nonviolent felony convictions. A Morgantown expungement lawyer can determine your eligibility and guide you through the process.
What types of criminal cases do you handle?
We defend clients facing a wide range of criminal charges, including DUI, drug offenses, assault, theft, probation violations, and other misdemeanor and felony charges in Monongalia, Preston, Marion and Harrison Counties.
Can WVU students get legal help for disciplinary or conduct cases?
Yes. Students at West Virginia University facing student conduct charges, including academic misconduct, alcohol violations, drug allegations, hazing or Title IX matters, may benefit from legal representation during hearings and appeals.
How much does it cost to hire a lawyer in Morgantown, WV?
Personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, so there is no fee unless we recover. Criminal and civil cases are generally handled on an hourly fee. Consultations are free, including by telephone.

Talk to a Morgantown Lawyer Today

174 Chancery Row, Morgantown, WV 26505 · admin@sslawwv.com
Call (304) 212-5791
Call (304) 212-5791 for a Free Consultation