Honorable Debra S. Watlington

Presiding Judge of the Superior Court

watlingtonAdministrator of Courts, Regina Petersen wishes to advise the public and the members of the Virgin Islands Bar Association that in accordance with the provisions of 4 V. I. C. § 71 (c), the Honorable Debra S. Watlington, has been designated the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands. In accordance with law, the Presiding Judge is designated from alternating districts for a term of three years. The selection is made in order of seniority, based upon continuous length of service as a judge on the Superior Court and the judicial officer’s willingness to serve in this leadership capacity.
The Judiciary is pleased that Presiding Judge Watlington has accepted this charge, just the second woman to serve in this capacity since the inception of the court. Presiding Judge Watlington was first nominated by the Honorable John P. de Jongh, Governor of the United States Virgin Islands, to serve a six-year term as a Judge of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands in 2012 and confirmed by the 29th Legislature of the Virgin Islands. In 2018, Judge Watlington was renominated to serve a second 6-year term as Judge of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands by the Honorable Albert A. Bryan Jr., Governor of the Virgin Islands, and confirmed by the 32nd Legislature. 


Judicial District of St. Thomas / St. John

Judicial District of St. Croix