CRIMINAL LAW: DEFENSE
Written by Angela Brunicardi-Doss, Chief Public Defender, Fourth Circuit Public Defender Corporation
Public defense is often imagined as a world unto itself. In practice, however, indigent defense in West Virginia is intersected with many other areas of law.
Consider the effects of a conviction for a simple misdemeanor, even without the threat of incarceration. Clients face consequences such as job loss, eviction, loss of public assistance, suspension of a driver’ s license, custody disputes and threats to immigration status. Effective representation of a client facing these life-changing consequences demands that public defenders understand how these systems interlock and coordinate with attorneys in these areas of practice when necessary.
The opioid epidemic has affected the intersection of these areas of law across our state. Treatment courts and child abuse and neglect proceedings now regularly overlap with the criminal dockets, requiring constant collaboration among prosecutors, defense counsel, social workers and treatment providers. Treatment courts and treatment-based plea agreements are a prime example of how the justice system can work to improve outcomes when approached from a more holistic perspective.
Heavy and growing caseloads, as well as a decrease in attorneys choosing to practice public defense, in West
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE LAWYERS & LEADERS CLASS OF 2026!
JAN DILS, ATTORNEYS AT LAW LAWYERS & LEADERS, CLASS OF 2024
Virginia continues to be a persistent challenge. However, these challenges are precisely why it is so important for public defenders to work closely with other attorneys and professionals to mitigate collateral damage and after-effects of a criminal charge or conviction.
CRIMINAL LAW: PROSECUTION
Written by Michael W. Parker, Randolph County Prosecuting Attorney
A prosecuting attorney intersects numerous areas of law, reflecting the interconnected nature of the legal profession. Whether it is a child abuse case that coincides with a family court issue, a theft case that is also the subject of civil litigation or a criminal case that overlaps with mental health law, these cases require collaboration with attorneys practicing in other areas of the law.
Prosecutors regularly work alongside attorneys practicing civil, administrative and regulatory law. Whether addressing public safety concerns, protecting vulnerable populations or ensuring accountability under the law, effective legal practice depends upon cooperation across disciplines.
Criminal law is evolving in response to changing societal needs, technological advancements and developments across the broader legal landscape. One significant trend is the increasing role of digital evidence in criminal investigations and prosecutions. Cell phone data, social media activity, surveillance footage, body-camera recordings from officers and other electronic records frequently play a central role in current cases.
Another important development is the continued emphasis on balancing public safety with fairness and accountability within the justice system. Courts, the Legislature and legal practitioners are examining topics such as diversion programs, treatment-based alternatives for certain offenses, victim rights and evidence-based approaches to reducing recidivism. These discussions create opportunities for prosecutors to contribute to policies that enhance community safety while promoting just outcomes.
EMPLOYMENT LAW
Written by Abraham J. Saad, Member, Glazer Saad Anderson L. C.; West Virginia Board of Governors Representative, District 5, Cabell and Wayne Counties
304.428.8900 | JANDILS. COM
PERSONAL INJURY VETERANS DISABILITY SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY
Employment law is entering one of its most volatile periods in years. As federal regulatory shifts, an expanding patchwork of state legislation and new workplace technologies collide to reshape the rules employers and
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE