As amended through January 31, 2024
Rule 4 - Preliminary Consideration by the Circuit Court(a) Evaluation for transfer of petition. - The original petition shall be presented promptly to the circuit court, ("the court"), in accordance with the procedure of the court for assignment of its business. The court shall promptly review whether the petition should be transferred to a venue set forth in Rule 3(a). If transfer is appropriate, the court shall promptly enter an order transferring the petition.(b) Initial review; appointment of counsel to file amended petition. - If the petition is not transferred, the circuit court shall promptly conduct an initial review of the petition. If, upon initial review of the petition and any exhibits in support thereof, the court determines that the petitioner may have grounds for relief but the petition, as filed, is not sufficient for the court to conduct a fair adjudication of the matters raised in the petition, the court shall appoint an attorney to represent the petitioner's claims in the matter, provided that the petitioner qualifies for the appointment of counsel under Rule 3(a). The court may order appointed counsel to fi le an amended petition for post- conviction habeas corpus relief within the time period set by the court.(c) Evaluation for summary dismissal; contents of summary dismissal order. - The petition shall be examined promptly by the judge to whom it is assigned. The court shall prepare and enter an order for summary dismissal of the petition if the contentions in fact or law relied upon in the petition have been previously and finally adjudicated or waived. The court's summary dismissal order shall contain specific findings of fact and conclusions of law as to the manner in which each ground raised in the petition has been previously and finally adjudicated and/or waived. If the petition contains a mere recitation of grounds without adequate factual support, the court may enter an order dismissing the petition, without prejudice, with directions that the petition be refiled containing adequate factual support. The court shall cause the petitioner to be notified of any summary dismissal.(d) Order to file answer. - For all petitions not dismissed summarily as provided in Rule 4(c), the court shall order the respondent to file an answer or other pleading within the period of time fixed by the court or to take such other action as the court deems appropriate. A copy of the order directing that an answer be filed shall be served upon the prosecuting attorney of the county wherein the petition will be heard.W. Va. R. Gov. Post-Conv. Hab. Co. Proc. 4