Logan Magistrates to conduct night court beginning in April

On April 21st the Logan County Magistrate Court will begin holding night court sessions Monday through Friday until 11 p.m. Chief Judge Joshua Butcher has authorized a night court for magistrates and the staff in Logan Magistrate Court.

LOGAN The Logan County Magistrate Office preparing to begin night court.

Beginning April 21st, Logan County Magistrates will conduct night court at the Logan County Courthouse. According to Senior Magistrate Joe Mendez, the addition of a fourth magistrate has afforded the courthouse the opportunity to provide magistrate court services basically around the clock. Mendez said the hefty case load in magistrate court is the reason a fourth magistrate was assigned to Logan by the West Virginia Supreme Court in the first place. He said the feeling is if they don’t use it, they’ll lose it.

Logan County Magistrate Joe Mendez has pushed for a night court for years. He says a fourth magistrate in Logan means it's time.

“What better way to use it than to extend our hours to 11 p.m. every night,” Mendez told WVOW News. “For years we’ve heard people say they have to miss work to come down here to take care of a ticket, file a civil suit or get a protective order. Well that will no longer be the case. We’re here to serve the people of Logan County and that’s what we’re going to do.”

Magistrate court hours will extend well into the evening until eleven o’clock Monday through Friday.

Paying tickets, posting bonds, filing civil suits and protective orders are just examples of some of the business that can be handled in night court. Police will also be able submit for search warrants and speed up the arraignment process for anyone arrested.

“This should benefit the whole county and that’s what we wanted. We wanted to do something that will benefit our people this was the best option in our opinion.”

Night will begin on April 21st. A magistrate, a clerk, and a bailiff will all be on duty from 3 to 11pm Monday through Friday. The public will use the side door entrance by McCormick’s in downtown Logan. A doorbell by the door will notify officials to let you in to speak with a magistrate.

Chief Judge Joshua Butcher says the benefits of night court are numerous.

“Our system will become more efficient. The public will be made more convenienced by these services and hours. I’m pleased to be able to authorize it and institute night court hours for magistrate court.

Moreover, Magistrate Mendez says he expects night court will ease the duties of staff on the day shift and benefit the public.

“The people are the ones that put us here and that’s why we’re doing this is to help the people,” Mendez said.

Logan County Prosecuting Attorney David Wandling said he sees the night court as an opportunity to lower a portion of the county jail bill that is affected by misdemeanors held overnight and make bond the next day.

"How much of that will help with the jail bill is very much to be determined," Wandling said, "but i think it will certainly bring it down a little bit."

Wandling said the public should have as much access to the court system as possible.

"Keeping it open so that working people can come in after hours and get their tickets assessed, get a D.V.P., or a P.S.O. I think it only serves to benefit the public."

PHOTO | A. M. Stone