West Virginia Code Chapter 50. Magistrate Courts § 50-1-12. Conduct of office; penalty

(a) Acquire or hold any interest in any matter which is before the magistrate court;

(b) Purchase, either directly or indirectly, any property being sold upon execution issued by the magistrate court;

(c) Act as agent or attorney for any party in any proceeding in any magistrate court in the state; or

(d) Engage in, or assist in, any remunerative endeavor, except the duties of his office, while on the premises of the magistrate court office.

Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of official misconduct and shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $500.

Nothing contained in this section shall preclude a magistrate, magistrate court clerk, magistrate court deputy clerk, or magistrate assistant from being a party to an action in the magistrate court: Provided, That any action in which the magistrate court clerk is a party shall not be assigned to the chief magistrate nor shall any action in which a magistrate court deputy clerk or magistrate assistant is a party be assigned or heard by the magistrate for whom such magistrate assistant is employed or to whose court such deputy clerk is assigned.