Ethics Charges Filed Against Kanawha County Magistrate

Ethics charges have been filed against Kanawha County Magistrate Ward Harshbarger, State Supreme Court Administrator Steve Canterbury said.

The charges follows allegations that Harshbarger denied Kanawha County Prosecutor Mark Plants' ex-wife a domestic violence petition.

Canterbury said Harshbarger had taken part in serious violations of the judicial code of conduct.

According to Canterbury, when Plants' ex-wife tried to file the petition through Harshbarger, he said she "shouldn't bother to give it to him."

A family court judge granted it the next day.

The complaint against Harshbarger, which was initiated in February, now goes to the judicial hearing board.

Plants' ex-wife requested the petition after her son had a large bruise on his leg. She felt he went too far when disciplining their son.