75.7 F
Charlotte Amalie
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNewsLocal governmentPublic Input Wanted on Reappointment of Superior Court Magistrate Judges

Public Input Wanted on Reappointment of Superior Court Magistrate Judges

The public and the members of the Virgin Islands Bar Association are informed that, according to a press release from the Honorable Michael C. Dunston, presiding judge of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, the current terms of the Superior Court Magistrate Judges are set to expire as follows:

Hon. Jessica Gallivan, Expiration Date: June 28, 2017 (Judicial District: St. Croix)

Hon. Miguel Camacho, Expiration Date: June 28, 2017 (Judicial District: St. Croix)

Hon. Henry V. Carr, III, Expiration Date: August 28, 2017 (Judicial District: St. Thomas-St. John)

Hon. Carolyn Hermon-Percell, Expiration Date: November 16, 2017 (Judicial District: St. Thomas-St. John)

The Superior Court of the Virgin Islands [pursuant to 4 V.I.C. § 122(a)] is required to seek input from the public regarding the reappointments of the magistrate judges. Accordingly, in addition to the 60-day notice of the expiration of the terms, notice is also hereby provided on the commencement of a 30-day comment period.

Specifically, during the next 30 days, the public and members of the V.I. Bar Association are directed to submit any comments regarding the reappointments of these judicial officers in writing to the Administrator of Courts. All comments must be submitted no later than May 12.

Pursuant to 4 V.I.C. § 123, Magistrate Judges administer oaths and affirmations; issue civil and criminal process, including warrants of arrest, search warrants, subpoenas, and orders (release on bail, for detention of persons pending trial and contempt); take acknowledgments, affidavits and depositions; conduct marriages; hear all non-felony traffic offenses, litter cases, misdemeanor criminal cases up to 364 days imprisonment); conduct arraignment and probable cause hearings in any criminal or traffic offense matter; hear small claims cases, probate matters, and civil cases where the amount in controversy does not exceed $75,000; issue temporary and permanent restraining orders in domestic violence cases; and, hear forcible entry and detainer and landlord and tenant actions.

In addition, Magistrate Judges may be designated by a Superior Court judge to hear and determine any pretrial matter pending before the court; conduct evidentiary and other hearings to submit proposed findings of fact and recommendations for disposition by a Superior Court judge; conduct all proceedings in a jury or non-jury civil matter upon consent by the litigants; and, perform such other duties as conferred or imposed by law.

Regina D. Petersen, Administrator of Courts, Judicial Branch Administrative Office Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands, P. O. Box 590, St. Thomas, VI 00804

Phone: 774-2237; Fax: 693-4109; e-mail: Regina.Petersen@vicourts.org; Web site: www.visupremecourt.org

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Keeping our community informed is our top priority.
If you have a news tip to share, please call or text us at 340-228-8784.

Support local + independent journalism in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Unlike many news organizations, we haven't put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as accessible as we can. Our independent journalism costs time, money and hard work to keep you informed, but we do it because we believe that it matters. We know that informed communities are empowered ones. If you appreciate our reporting and want to help make our future more secure, please consider donating.

1 COMMENT