The Honorable Venetia Harvey Velázquez was appointed on November 4, 2024 to serve a four-year term as Magistrate Judge, by the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court, the Honorable  Debra Watlington, on November 4, 2024.   Magistrate Judge Velázquez earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard University, a Master of Arts from the University of the Virgin Islands, and a Juris Doctor from Howard University School of Law.  She has practiced law in the U.S. Virgin Islands for approximately 25 years.  Her legal experience includes criminal defense and prosecution, civil litigation, and appellate practice. Prior to her selection as Magistrate Judge, she served as Chief of the Civil Division of the Department of Justice.  Magistrate Judge Velázquez was admitted to practice law in the Virgin Islands, the United States Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and the District Court of the Virgin Islands.