West Virginia Supreme Court dismisses case against Judge Akers

The West Virginia Supreme Court has dismissed a case against Kanawha County Circuit Judge Maryclaire Akers regarding comments she made during a statewide radio interview in March 2025.

The case originated from Akers’ appearance on MetroNews ‘Talkline’, where she discussed her decision to appoint a monitor to the Department of Human Services (DoHS). During the interview, Akers addressed the practice of housing foster children in hotels and 4-H camps, stating that while such measures are born out of necessity and emergency, the practice should not continue.

The Judicial Investigation Commission (JIC) had previously found probable cause that Akers violated four judicial code of conduct rules, leading to formal charges in July 2025. Akers had maintained during her interview that her intent was not to assign blame, but to address the housing issues within the state’s foster care system.