Any employment agent, as defined in this article, carrying on the business of an employment agency, without first fully complying with the provisions thereof, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not less than one hundred nor more than $500 for each offense, or the person, or any member of a firm, or the officer or agent of any corporation, so acting as employment agent may be imprisoned not less than thirty days nor more than six months, or both, at the discretion of the court; and any such employment agent violating any other provision of this article or any rule or regulation prescribed by the commissioner of labor pursuant to the provisions of this article, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than fifty nor more than $200, or the person or any member of a firm or the officer or agent of any corporation so violating, may be imprisoned for not more than thirty days, or both fined and imprisoned. A justice of the peace shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit court and other courts having criminal jurisdiction for the trial of offenses under this article.

Terms Used In West Virginia Code 21-2-14

  • Commissioner: means the labor commissioner or his designated agent. See West Virginia Code 21-3A-2
  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Offense: includes every act or omission for which a fine, forfeiture, or punishment is imposed by law. See West Virginia Code 2-2-10
  • Person: means one or more individuals. See West Virginia Code 21-3A-2
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.