W. Va. R. Proc. Child & Neg. Proceed. 24

As amended through January 31, 2024
Rule 24 - Adjudicatory prehearing conference
(a)Adjudicatory prehearing conference.- Prior to the final adjudicatory hearing, the court may convene a prehearing conference on its own motion or upon the request of any party.
(b)Subjects of adjudicatory subjects prehearing conference.- At the adjudicatory prehearing conference, the court may:
(1) Review efforts to locate and serve all the parties;
(2) Advise unrepresented parties concerning their right to counsel and to appointed counsel, in which case the conference shall be reconvened at a later date;
(3) Determine whether the child shall be present and testify at adjudication and, if so, under what conditions;
(4) Conclude any unresolved discovery matters;
(5) Identify issues of law and fact for adjudication;
(6) Require the parties to develop a list of possible witnesses and brief summaries of their testimony;
(7) Determine the needs of out-of-town witnesses regarding scheduling; and
(8) Confirm the date and estimate the length of the adjudicatory hearing.
(c)Additional information.- The parties shall have a continuing obligation to update information provided during the adjudicatory prehearing conference. If the additional information constitutes surprise, the court shall allow the surprised party adequate time and opportunity to prepare and respond.
(d)Time frame.- The court may schedule a final prehearing conference within five (5) days of the adjudicatory hearing to determine whether the parties or other persons entitled to notice and the right to be heard have notice of the hearing, the number and identity of the witnesses that each party intends to call and the estimated length of their testimony, and any other matter which may affect the conduct of the adjudicatory hearing.

W. Va. R. Proc. Child & Neg. Proceed. 24