United States Virgin Islands Superior Court

The Virgin Islands Superior Court is the trial court of general jurisdiction for the United States Virgin Islands. The court is composed of nine judges. They are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Legislature. Effective January 29, 2007 the Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands assumed jurisdiction over appeals from the Superior Court.[1]

Superior Court of the United States Virgin Islands
Established1977
Appeals toSupreme Court of the United States Virgin Islands
Number of positions9 judges
Websitewww.superior.vicourts.org
Presiding Judge
CurrentlyDebra S. Watlington
SinceAugust 1, 2022 (2022-08-01)

Composition

edit

The judges of the Virgin Islands Superior Court are divided among two divisions, the division of St. Croix and the division of St. Thomas/St. John.[1] The position of presiding judge alternates every three years between the two superior court divisions to the judge with the most seniority.[1] Judges are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Legislature[2] for a term of six years.[3]

Judicial Officers of the U.S. Virgin Islands Superior Court[4]
Title Name Judicial District First term began Current term ends First appointed by
Judge Harold W. L. Willocks St. Croix 2009 2022 John P. de Jongh, Jr.
Judge Kathleen Y. Mackay St. Thomas/St. John 2012 2025 John P. de Jongh, Jr.
Presiding Judge Debra S. Watlington St. Thomas/St. John 2012 2025 John P. de Jongh, Jr.
Judge Denise M. Francois St. Thomas/St. John 2013 2026 John P. de Jongh, Jr.
Judge Renee Gumbs-Carty St. Thomas/St. John 2016 2022 Kenneth E. Mapp
Judge Sigrid M. Tejo St. Thomas/St. John 2020 2026 Albert Bryan
Judge Douglas A. Brady St. Croix 2012 2025 John P. de Jongh, Jr.
Judge Jomo Meade St. Croix 2016 2022 Kenneth E. Mapp
Judge Jessica Gallivan St. Croix 2019 2025 Albert Bryan
Judge Alphonso G. Andrews, Jr. St. Croix 2020 2026 Albert Bryan

History

edit

The 1921 territorial law created three Police Courts, one for St. Thomas and St. John, and two for St. Croix.[5] The 1954 Revised Organic Act merged these into the Municipal Court of St. Thomas and St. John, and the Municipal Court of St. Croix.[5] In 1965, these were merged into the Municipal Court of the Virgin Islands, and renamed the Territorial Court of the Virgin Islands in 1976.[5] The court gained original jurisdiction over all local civil matters in 1991, and criminal matters in 1994; appeals were directed to the federal District Court of the Virgin Islands.[5] When the Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands was created to accept appeals in 2004 (under a 1984 federal revision to the Revised Organic Act), the Territorial Court was renamed the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands.[5]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c "2019 US Virgin Islands Code :: Title 4 - Judiciary :: Chapter 5 - Superior Court :: § 71. Composition". Justia Law. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  2. ^ "2019 US Virgin Islands Code :: Title 4 - Judiciary :: Chapter 5 - Superior Court :: § 72. Selection, appointment, qualifications and salaries of judges". Justia Law. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  3. ^ "2019 US Virgin Islands Code :: Title 4 - Judiciary :: Chapter 5 - Superior Court :: § 73. Tenure of judges". Justia Law. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  4. ^ "Judges". Superior Court of the Virgin Islands. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  5. ^ a b c d e "History of the V. I. Judiciary". Retrieved 2021-08-19.
edit