The Legislature of the Virgin Islands granted expanded jurisdiction over local criminal matters to the Territorial Court, now known as the Superior Court on September 30, 1993, pursuant to Act. No. 5890. The Superior Court of the Virgin Islands assumed original jurisdiction in all criminal actions pursuant to 4 V.I. Code Ann. § 76, effective January 1, 1994. The Criminal Division, established pursuant to 4 V.I. Code Ann. § 79, is the division of the Clerk’s Office, that maintains all criminal-related Court records. The Criminal Division is responsible for filing and docketing case pleadings, processing the Court’s Orders, and issuing summons, subpoenas and warrants. Additionally, the Criminal Division prepares for, schedules and oversees initial and preliminary hearings, processes bail and bail forfeitures, and appeals of criminal cases to the Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands.
In accordance with 14 V.I. Code Ann. § 1, a crime or offense is defined as an act committed or omitted in violation of a law of the Virgin Islands and punishable by imprisonment, fine, removal from office, or disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit. Pursuant to 14 V.I. Code Ann. § 2, crimes and offenses are divided into felonies and misdemeanors.
Criminal proceedings in the Virgin Islands Superior Court are governed by the Virgin Islands Code and the Virgin Islands Rules of Criminal Procedure (V.I.R.CRIM.P.). All criminal records maintained by the Clerk’s Office are public records. However, the Clerk’s Office, Criminal Division, does not provide case information or case dispositions over the telephone. Files and the information contained therein are a matter of public record unless sealed by a Court Order.
The Office of the Clerk of the Superior Court is prohibited from rendering legal advice, interpreting law and recommending a specific attorney. You may wish to call the Virgin Islands Bar Association’s Referral Service at (340) 778-7497, if you need assistance in locating an attorney. The following information is provided to help you understand the proceedings in the Criminal Division.