The United States District Court has announced that the current term of Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone in Wheeling, West Virginia, will expire on September 3, 2026. In accordance with legal requirements, a panel of citizens will be formed to review whether Judge Mazzone should be reappointed for another eight-year term.
Magistrate judges in this court handle a range of responsibilities. These include conducting most preliminary proceedings in criminal cases, presiding over and resolving misdemeanor cases, managing various pretrial matters and evidentiary hearings as assigned by district court judges, and overseeing civil trials and their outcomes when all parties consent.
The court is seeking input from both legal professionals and the public regarding Judge Mazzone’s potential reappointment. Comments can be submitted to Stephanie Hainer Ojeda, Clerk of Court, via email at Stephanie_Ojeda@wvnd.uscourts.gov.
All feedback must be received by April 17, 2026.
