The Supreme Court of Appeals is West Virginia's highest court and the court of last resort.
The five Supreme Court justices hear appeals of decisions over all matters decided in the circuit courts, including criminal convictions affirmed on appeal from magistrate court and appeals from administrative agencies. Workers' compensation appeals are unique and are appealed directly to the Supreme Court from the administrative agency. The Supreme Court justices also hear appeals of decisions decided in family court if both parties agree that they will not appeal directly to the circuit court. We are a unified court system, with all circuit, family and magistrate courts comprising the West Virginia Judiciary, overseen by the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia.