Justia West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Opinion Summaries

Petitioner Jefferson Utilities, Inc. (JUI), a privately-held public utility authorized to provide water service to several areas of Jefferson County, filed a request with the Public Service Commission of West Virginia for a rate increase of approximately 72.2 percent. The ALJ recommended a rate increase of 22.4 percent, and the Commission reduced the rate increase recommended by the ALJ to 4.4 percent. JUI appealed, contending that the Commission erred by rejecting the recommended decision of the ALJ regarding the rate increase. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding that although the evidence in this case was controverted, it was clear that the Commission's decision was not arbitrary, did not result from a misapplication of legal principles, and was supported by substantial evidence in the record. View "Jefferson Utils., Inc. v. Pub. Serv. Comm'n of W. Va." on Justia Law

Janet Hornbeck appealed an order of the circuit court, arguing that the court erred by affirming the family court's ruling that the Bureau of Child Support Enforcement (BCSE) method of distributing child support arrearage payments between principal and interest is appropriate even though it deviates from the way those allocations are generally made for court-ordered money judgments not involving support. At issue was the validity of a procedure established and followed by an administrative agency. After concluding the procedure to be an interpretive rule under the APA, the Supreme Court held that the BCSE rule is within the authority granted the agency in W. Va. Code 48-11-105. Affirmed. View "Hornbeck v. Caplinger, et al." on Justia Law

Jonathan Darby, who was employed by Kanawha County Board of Education (BOE) as a school bus driver, was terminated when the BOE concluded that Darby had violated the BOE's sexual harassment policy. Darby appealed his termination. After considering the evidence, the West Virginia Public Employees Grievance Board hearing examiner ordered the BOE to reinstate Darby to his previous position. The BOE appealed. The circuit court reversed, determining that the hearing examiner held the BOE to the wrong burden of proof. Darby appealed. The Supreme Court reversed, holding (1) the hearing examiner used the proper burden of proof in weighing the evidence; and (2) the circuit court improperly exceeded its scope of review, failed to give proper deference to the hearing examiner's factual findings, and wrongly substituted its own judgment on the credibility of the witnesses for that of the hearing officer. View "Darby v. Kanawha County Board of Education" on Justia Law

The Clerk of the McDowell County Commission appealed an order of the Circuit Court of McDowell County pertaining to mandamus proceedings. The Commission was directed to reimburse the attorney fees of A. Ray Bailey who was the prevailing party in an election contest. The Commission argued on appeal to the Supreme Court that the trial court abused its discretion by ordering the Commission to pay Mr. Bailey's fees when the Commission was not a party to the election contest. Furthermore, The Commission argued that there was no statutory authority to support the award. Upon review of the arguments and law governing this matter, the Supreme Court reversed the lower court's order directing payment of attorney fees by the Commission.

Appellant Harpers Ferry appealed a circuit court order in favor of Appellee Ralph Taylor. Mr. Taylor asked the City for permission to create a path along a street so that a truck he used could access his property. At the time of Mr. Taylor's request, City Councilman Robert DuBose lived near the proposed path. The City approved Mr. Taylor's request on the condition that he got an authorization from the Mayor. Mr. DuBose abstained from voting on the request, but he participated in all discussions. Two days after the City approved Mr. Taylor's request, Mr. DuBose sent emails complaining about the request. In response, the Mayor imposed additional conditions to the request. Council held a special meeting for the sole purpose of discussing Mr. Taylor's project. At the meeting, Council added more conditions. Mr. Taylor filed a declaratory judgment against the City, arguing that the additional conditions were discriminatory. Mr. Taylor won the case, and the court awarded him attorney's fees. The City argued to the Supreme Court on appeal that Mr. Taylor was not entitled to attorney's fees. After careful review of the briefs, the record submitted on appeal and the oral arguments of the parties, the Supreme Court affirmed the lower court's decision.

Appellants Family Protection Services Board, its secretary/treasurer, and several of its members all appealed a grant of summary judgment in favor of Men & Women Against Discrimination (MAWAD). The Board is a public body created by the West Virginia Domestic Violence Act (WVDVA). Among other things, the Board is charged with establishing and enforcing standards for the licensure of all domestic violence shelters and family protection programs in the state. The Board also provides funds for shelters and programs once they become licensed. In 2008, MAWAD filed a complaint alleging that the Board implemented the WVDVA in a discriminatory manner. MAWAD sought to enjoin the Board from disbursing funds to shelters and programs until the alleged discriminatory practices were addressed. The circuit court entered judgment in favor of MAWAD, rendering three legislative rules promulgated by the Board as "null and void." Upon careful consideration of the arguments and the applicable legal authority, the Supreme Court reversed the lower court's decision. The Court found MAWAD lacked standing to bring suit against the Board. The Court dismissed the case.

The West Virginia Medical Imaging & Radiation Therapy Technology Board of Examiners appealed an order of the circuit court. In the order, the court reversed the Board's decision to suspend Appellee Kenneth Harrison's medical license. The Board issued a final administrative decision that found Dr. Harrison practiced outside the scope of his medical imaging and radiation therapy license when he administered intravenous allergy medicine to a patient without the treating physician's involvement. Upon careful consideration of the arguments and the applicable legal authority, the Supreme Court reversed the lower court's decision.

Commissioner Joe E. Miller, on behalf of the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles, appealed an order by the circuit court that reversed his final order that revoked Petitioner Edward Simsâs driverâs license. Mr. Sims was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. On appeal, Commissioner Miller argued that the circuit court did not give substantial weight to all of the evidence presented against Mr. Sims. Upon review of the courtâs records, the Supreme Court agreed with Commissioner Miller that the circuit courtâs conclusions were in error. The Court reversed the order of the circuit court and reinstated Commissioner Millerâs order revoking Mr. Simsâ license.

Two cases were consolidated by the Supreme Court. In each of the underlying cases, the Petitioners sought relief in the form of writs of mandamus and prohibition. The Supreme Court found that the financial affidavits required for proceeding in forma pauperis were properly filed in each case. The Court found that the magistrate courts in each of the cases failed to perform a ânon-discretionary dutyâ by requiring the posting of an appeal bond in one case, or the payment of a filing fee in the other. The Supreme Court found that the requested writs of mandamus should be granted as moulded.