Marion County, WV Lawyers: Injury, Criminal Defense and Civil Cases
By J. Brandon Shumaker · Slavey & Shumaker PLLC · Serving Fairmont and all of Marion County · Last updated October 27, 2026
Table of Contents
When you are hurt in a crash on I-79 or U.S. 250, charged with a crime in Fairmont, or caught in a dispute over money or property, you need a lawyer who knows West Virginia law and the Marion County courts. Slavey & Shumaker PLLC represents clients in Monongalia, Preston, Marion and Harrison Counties, along with personal injury clients throughout the State of West Virginia, and our attorneys practice regularly in the circuit and magistrate courts of Marion County.
We represent clients in every part of the county, including Fairmont, Pleasant Valley, Mannington, Barrackville, Rivesville, Monongah, White Hall, Grant Town, Farmington, Fairview and Worthington.
1. How We Help Marion County Clients
| Practice Area | What We Handle |
|---|---|
| Personal Injury | Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, medical malpractice, workplace injuries and serious injuries |
| Criminal Defense | Misdemeanors and felonies, DUI, drug charges, domestic offenses, theft charges, bail and bond and record expungement |
| Civil Litigation | Contract disputes, business disputes, property and real estate disputes, and defense of people and businesses who have been sued |
| Consumer Protection | Debt collection harassment and credit report errors |
| Family Matters | Adoption and guardianship and conservatorship |
2. Marion County Courts
Both courts are in Fairmont, the county seat. The circuit court sits in the Marion County Courthouse on Adams Street, and the magistrate court is in a separate location on Jackson Street. Marion County makes up the Twentieth Judicial Circuit.
| Court | Location | Cases It Hears |
|---|---|---|
| Marion County Circuit Court | Marion County Courthouse, 219 Adams Street, Fairmont, WV 26554 (Circuit Clerk, Room 211) | Felony prosecutions, civil cases over $20,000, and matters magistrate courts cannot hear, such as disputes over title to real estate W. Va. Code § 50-2-1 |
| Marion County Magistrate Court | 200 Jackson Street, Fairmont, WV 26554 (Magistrate Clerk, Room 211) | Misdemeanor offenses committed in the county, preliminary examinations on felony warrants and bail § 50-2-3; civil actions of not more than $20,000, not counting interest and costs § 50-2-1 |
Court locations are from the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia’s Marion County court information page. Check your court papers for the exact courtroom and time of any hearing.
3. Car, Truck and Motorcycle Crashes in Marion County
Marion County sits on the I-79 corridor between Morgantown and Clarksburg, and local drivers share the road with interstate through traffic on U.S. and state routes. We represent people hurt in crashes on roads including:
- Interstate 79 through Fairmont, including the exits at White Hall (Exit 132, U.S. 250), Downtown Fairmont (Exit 136, WV 273), East Park Avenue (Exit 137, WV 310) and East Fairmont (Exit 139)
- U.S. 250, which passes through Farmington, Fairmont and White Hall
- U.S. 19 through Fairmont
- WV 310 and WV 273 in Fairmont
Interstate speeds, commercial trucks and busy commercial corridors can all play a part in serious crashes. Whatever the cause, the steps after a crash are the same: get medical care, keep the crash report number from the agency that responded, photograph the vehicles and the scene if you can, and be careful about giving a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company before talking with a lawyer. Our after-a-crash guide walks through each step.
Hurt in a Marion County Crash?
Talk with an injury lawyer about your claim. The consultation is free.
4. Personal Injury Claims: Deadlines, Fault and Insurance
The same West Virginia law applies to an injury claim from Marion County as anywhere else in the state:
- Filing deadline. Most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years (W. Va. Code § 55-2-12(b)). Claims involving medical malpractice, government entities and injured children have their own rules, which our personal injury overview explains.
- Shared fault. You can still recover as long as your fault is not greater than the combined fault of everyone else responsible, with your award reduced by your share of fault (§ 55-7-13c(c)).
- Underinsured drivers. If the at-fault driver’s available insurance is not enough to cover all of your damages, underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage you selected may pay the rest, up to your UIM limits. Our car accident page explains how uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage works.
5. Criminal Charges in Marion County
Most criminal cases in Marion County begin in magistrate court. Magistrate courts have jurisdiction of all misdemeanor offenses committed in the county, conduct preliminary examinations on warrants charging felonies, and set bail (W. Va. Code § 50-2-3). Felony cases are prosecuted in the Marion County Circuit Court.
We defend people charged with:
- DUI and other traffic offenses
- Drug possession and distribution
- Domestic battery and domestic assault
- Theft and property offenses
- Probation violations and other misdemeanor and felony charges
6. Civil and Consumer Cases
We represent Marion County individuals and businesses in contract, business and property disputes, and we defend people who have been sued. Civil actions of not more than $20,000, not counting interest and costs, can be heard in magistrate court; larger claims and disputes over title to real estate go to circuit court (W. Va. Code § 50-2-1). If you have been served with a lawsuit in circuit court, your answer is generally due within 30 days (W. Va. R. Civ. P. 12(a)(1)).
We also represent consumers harassed by debt collectors. The West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act prohibits collectors from using threats, harassment, deception, unreasonable publication or unfair means to collect consumer debts. When a collector violates the Act, a consumer may recover actual damages and a civil penalty of $1,000 per violation (W. Va. Code § 46A-5-101), and the court may award reasonable attorney’s fees (§ 46A-5-104). Learn more on our debt collection harassment page.
7. Working With Our Firm on a Marion County Case
Our office is at 174 Chancery Row in downtown Morgantown, beside the Monongalia County Courthouse. You do not need to live in Monongalia County to hire us.
- Free consultation. Call (304) 212-5791 or use our contact form to schedule a free initial consultation.
- Telephone consultations. If you cannot travel to Morgantown, we offer consultations by telephone.
- Direct attorney contact. You work directly with the attorneys handling your case.
8. Frequently Asked Questions About Marion County Cases
Speak With a Lawyer About Your Marion County Case
Slavey & Shumaker PLLC, 174 Chancery Row, Morgantown. Serving Fairmont, Pleasant Valley, Mannington and all of Marion County.
This page is provided for general informational purposes about West Virginia law and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case depends on its own facts, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.