§61-5-12b. Escape from custody of the Director of Juvenile Services.
     (a) Any person, under the age of eighteen years of age, who escapes or attempts to escape from the custody of the Director of Juvenile Services, regardless of where such person is confined or where such escape occurs, is guilty of a delinquent act and subject to the jurisdiction of the circuit court of the county in which the escape occurred, pursuant to section two, article five, chapter forty-nine of this code: Provided, That upon agreement of all parties, the prosecution of the escape may be transferred to the circuit court from which the juvenile was originally committed.

     (b) Any person, over the age of eighteen years of age or any juvenile who has been transferred to the adult jurisdiction of the committing court, who escapes or attempts to escape from the custody of the Director of Juvenile Services, regardless of where such person is confined or where such escape or attempted escape occurs, is guilty of escape and, if the person is detained or confined for an offense which is a felony or would have been a felony if committed by an adult is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned in a state correctional facility not more than five years. Any person, over the age of eighteen years of age or any juvenile who has been transferred to the adult jurisdiction of the committing court, who is detained for an offense which is a misdemeanor or would have been a misdemeanor if committed by an adult is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be confined in a regional jail for not more than one year. Note: WV Code updated with legislation passed through the 2012 1st Special Session