Courthouses and County Offices Close for Christmas Holiday

State and judicial leaders took coordinated action on December 23 to extend courthouse and county office closures for the Christmas holiday, ordering courts and many county offices in southern West Virginia to be closed on Wednesday December 24 and Friday December 26, 2025. The directive affects McDowell County where additional county courthouses and offices will be closed during the holiday period, and where residents should expect interruptions to normal court operations.

The administrative order instructs each local circuit chief judge to ensure magistrate services remain available for urgent matters. That requirement means emergency and time sensitive hearings can still be addressed through magistrate channels, even as routine filings, records requests and in person clerk services will be suspended on the listed dates. People with court appearances or filing deadlines scheduled on the affected dates should contact their circuit clerk, family court, or magistrate staff for the latest information and any rescheduling.

For McDowell County residents the closure will affect access to courthouse services such as filing civil documents, obtaining public records, and attending non urgent proceedings. Lawyers, litigants and members of the public who planned to conduct court business on Wednesday or Friday should verify whether those matters have been postponed or shifted to alternative arrangements. Jurors and parties with time sensitive obligations should check directly with court staff to confirm their status.

The joint action by the governor and the state s chief justice underscores the logistical coordination required when government offices close for major holidays. While the measures aim to provide a clear holiday schedule across multiple counties, they also highlight the need for contingency planning for urgent legal matters. McDowell County residents who need immediate assistance should reach out to circuit clerk, family court, or magistrate staff for guidance on available emergency services during the closure.