Eastern Panhandle Judges Tackle Increased Cases in 2024
23rd Judicial Circuit releases end-of-year review
The Journal | Saturday, December 28, 2024
By Tom Markland
In 2024, the Eastern Panhandle's judicial system saw a significant rise in case load, conducting over 7,000 hearings and increasing the number of court-appointed attorneys to address a surge in juvenile and abuse cases. Chief Judge Laura V. Faircloth implemented an order requiring local attorneys to accept court appointments to better serve defendants in need, reflecting the community's ongoing struggle with legal representation. The judges also celebrated community milestones, including 145 weddings and 120 adoptions, while actively engaging with issues critical to the towns of Charles Town, Harpers Ferry, and Ranson, as reported by The Journal.