2011 Annual Report - Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands

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APPELLATE JURISDICTIONSupreme Court of the Virgin IslandsThree JusticesThe Supreme Court is the “court of last resort” in the United States Virgin Islands. It is answerable only to the ThirdCircuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court, by writ of certiorari. The Supreme Court of the VirginIslands hears appeals from any cause decided by the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands and has oversight authorityover the Judicial Branch and all courts of the Virgin Islands, as well as original jurisdiction over proceedings necessaryto protect its appellate jurisdiction and oversight.Superior Court of the Virgin IslandsNine JudgesThe Superior Court is the Virgin Islands’ trial court of general jurisdiction. It hears the following cases:• Civil Matters;• Criminal Cases (both felony and misdemeanor);• Domestic Relations Cases;• Juvenile Matters;• Probate Cases; and• Appeals and review from Magistrate decisions in small claims, traffic, etc. and decisions ofadministrative agenciesMagistrate DivisionFour MagistratesThe Magistrate Court hears the following types of cases:• Non-Felony Traffic Cases;• Forcible Entry and Detainer;• Misdemeanor Criminal Cases;• Domestic Violence Cases;• Landlord and Tenant Actions;• Small Claims;• Probate Cases;• Litter Cases.14
Occasionally, the Supreme Court may hear a case pursuant to its original jurisdiction, meaning that the case did not originatein the Superior Court. Pursuant to its inherent and statutory authority, the Supreme Court may issue all writs necessary tothe complete exercise of its duties. The most common invocation of the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction is an actionfor writ of mandamus, which, if granted, compels a government official—including a Superior Court judge—to perform adiscrete, ministerial act. However, a wide variety of other cases may arise pursuant to the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction,including, but not limited to, petitions to discipline a judge or attorney, requests to transfer a case to the Supreme Court fromanother court or administrative agency, proceedings for civil or criminal contempt, applications for writs of habeas corpus,and certified requests from federal courts and the highest courts of other jurisdictions for the Supreme Court to answer anunresolved question of Virgin Islands law.NEW CASE FILINGSDuring Fiscal Year 2011, the Supreme Court saw a nearly 20percent increase, relative to Fiscal Year 2010, in the numberof cases filed pursuant to its core appellate and originaljurisdiction. Although every case type saw an increase innew filings—including a 13 percent increase in the numberof appeals filed—the biggest increase occurred with respectto original proceedings, which increased by 61.5 percent.Among these original proceedings was the very first certifiedquestion filed pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 39, in whichthe United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuitrequested that Supreme Court determine whether VirginIslands law permits a plaintiff to pursue a strict liabilityclaim against a lessor for injuries resulting from a defectiveproduct.Filed CasesAppeals & Original Proceedings15
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Page 6 and 7: conferences, seminars, and other ev
Page 8 and 9: Branch agencies for appropriations.
Page 10 and 11: HISTORYThe Supreme Courtof the Virg
Page 12 and 13: Designated JusticesIn cases where o
Page 16: CASE PROCESSING AND MOTION PRACTICE
Page 20 and 21: Pro Hac Vice Admission. The Virgin
Page 22 and 23: Continuing Legal Education.Supreme
Page 24: ReceivershipsIn the event an attorn
Page 27 and 28: Employee BreakdownBy Departmentthe
Page 29: LOOKING FORWARDThe Supreme Court is
Page 34 and 35: THE OFFICE OF THE COURTADMINISTRATO
Page 36: ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORTDIVISIONF
Page 42: The Annual Employees’ and Supervi
Page 45 and 46: Superior Court of the Virgin Island
Page 47 and 48: FIGURE 2: STT/J FY11 - New Diversio
Page 49 and 50: Fig. 6: STT/J FY11 - PIP Activity S
Page 51 and 52: Additionally, the following represe
Page 53 and 54: The Orchestra in the St. Thomas-St.
Page 55 and 56: The Rising Stars completed their th
Page 57 and 58: During FY11, the Probation Division
Page 59 and 60: FY11 TERRITORIAL - Client Education
Page 61 and 62: In the St. Thomas-St. John District
Page 63 and 64: and the Rising Stars Panyard in the
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• Host the Bureau of Corrections
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Court is kept; rather, all of the f
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FY11 - Superior Court of the Virgin
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SUPREME COURT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS
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2011 Annual Report - Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands

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