LAWSUITS AGAINST STATE COULD BE FILED IN HOME COUNTY

(03/22/2006)
If you file a lawsuit against the state of West Virginia, you may soon have the option to file the suit in your home county.

The bill is on Gov. Joe Manchin's desk.

Currently those lawsuits are required to be filed in Charleston.

State Supreme Court Administrator Steve Canterbury says it's a consumer-friendly bill.

"It does make it much easier for that person to be part of his case, day in and day out, because it can be filed at home," said Canterbury.

Canterbury says he's unclear how the bill will increase the caseloads of some judicial circuits.

State lawmakers are scheduled to redistrict the judicial circuits next year according to population and caseload.