Kanawha County commissioners have agreed to begin removal proceedings against Prosecutor Mark Plants.
The commission voted Thursday to file a petition, citing the costs of paying a special prosecutor to handle certain cases in his place. Once filed, the state Supreme Court would appoint a panel to rule on it.
Plants and his office are barred from handling cases involving crimes of violence by a parent or guardian, abuse and neglect cases, and violations of domestic violence protection orders.
Plants was charged with domestic battery for allegedly hitting one of his sons several times with a belt and for violating an order not to have contact with his children or ex-wife.
Under a recent agreement, the charges may be dismissed if he completes a batterers intervention program.