Webster County's Jail Bill Debt in Hands of High Court

West Virginia Supreme Court courtroom.

Yesterday, Webster County Prosecuting Attorney Dwayne Vandevender dueled with lawyers for the Regional Jail Authority at the West Virginia Supreme Court over the county's jail bill debt reported to now be over $1.5 million and growing.  Regardless of the amount of the bill, the case is now in the hands of the five Supreme Court Justices, who will likely issue a ruling within the next 30 to 45 days.

During arguments before the Court yesterday, Vandevender told the justices that Webster County was effectively bankrupt, only funding the bare minimum of courthouse offices.  Further cuts to the County's budget to pay for the outstanding jail bill can only be made through layoffs, likely leaving only the elected officials remaining as courthouse employees.

Lawyers for the Regional Jail Authority argued that other counties who were behind in their jail bills took steps to come up with the money.  Justice Menis Ketchum asked those jail authority lawyers how the Court can force Webster County to pay their bill.  "We don't have an army," he said.