NCJ Number
58064
Date Published
1979
Length
53 pages
Annotation
THE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE COURT SYSTEM IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ARE DESCRIBED, AND THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE SYSTEM CONFORMS TO THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION (ABA) STANDARDS ON COURT ORGANIZATION IS NOTED.
Abstract
THE REPORT IS ONE OF A SERIES OF COURT-SYSTEM PROFILES PREPARED TO FACILITATE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ABA STANDARDS. THE PROFILES ARE BASED ON REVIEWS OF STATES' CONSTITUTIONS, STATUTES, COURT RULES, ANNUAL COURT REPORTS, AND ADMINISTRATIVE MANUALS. THE VIRGIN ISLANDS PROFILE OPENS WITH A REVIEW OF THE FOLLOWING ASPECTS OF THE COURT SYSTEM: LAWS GOVERNING THE SYSTEM, COURT STRUCTURE (APPELLATE AND TRIAL); THE JUDICIARY (QUALIFICATIONS, SELECTION, TERM, DISCIPLINE, REMOVAL, COMPENSATION, RETIREMENT AGE, CONTINUING EDUCATION, PARAJUDICIAL OFFICERS), ADMINISTRATION AND PROCEDURE (ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY, COURT ADMINISTRATION, POLICYMAKING AUTHORITY, RULEMAKING AUTHORITY, NONJUDICIAL PERSONNEL), FINANCE AND BUDGET (FUNDING, FINES, FEES, BUDGET); AND INFORMATION SYSTEM (RECORDKEEPING, STATISTICS, DATA PROCESSING). EACH ASPECT IS COVERED IN DETAIL IN THE MAIN BODY OF THE REPORT, WHICH IS KEYED TO A CHART INDICATING THE DEGREE OF SIMILARITY BETWEEN THE SYSTEM AND EACH ABA STANDARD. ALSO INCLUDED ARE CHARTS DEPICTING COURT ORGANIZATION, APPELLATE AND TRIAL/HEARING JURISDICTIONS, AND FUNDING SOURCES. (LKM)