2010 Annual Report - Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands

New Jury Management Software: Install the Jury Management
Software to facilitate increase juror participation for jury
selection;
Probation Officers Training: Facilitate the requisite training for
the Probation and Parole Division to enhance their productivity;
Implement Performance Standards: Complete the assessment
of employee’s job description with the goal of initiating
performance standards throughout the Court;
Personnel Staffing: Fill all critical vacancies throughout the
Court – in both districts.
ST. CROIX DISTRICT
RFP Preparation: Prepare Request for Proposal to solicit bids for
architectural plans for the proposed Annex;
Construction Projects: Complete the construction of the new
HR offices and the renovations of the employee’s lounge; and,
complete fabrication and installation of security cage in the
evidence room;
Facilities Improvement: Complete the installation of iron grill
work over guttering on remaining 420 linear ft. for the safety of
the motoring public and the Court’s staff;
Training and Development: Identify appropriate training
seminars, workshops and conferences for employees’ growth and
development;
Storage Upgrade: Work in conjunction with the Clerk of the
Court to identify and effectuate adequate storage for official
court records;
Juror Orientation Enhancement: Research the viability of a
web-based juror orientation tool;
Manual Development: Develop a user friendly procedural
manual for Property and Procurement that outlines the
processes for requesting and receiving goods and services; and
the development of procedural manuals for Administration.
THE SUPERIOR COURT’S
OPERATIONAL DIVISION
In Fiscal Year 2010, the Operational Division had approximately
105 employees Territory wide. There were also fifty budgeted
vacant positions in the Operational Division; however, despite
numerous attempts to fill the required vacancies, resignations
and other separations continue to leave a void in the Operational
Division’s staffing. Accordingly, bringing each division up to
full staffing continues to be a primary goal in the upcoming
fiscal year.
MAJOR INITIATIVES
During the course of the fiscal year, the Operational Division
undertook various projects intended to improve the efficiency
and effectiveness of operations. Some of our major initiatives are
indicated below:
1. CROSS-TRAINING: Cross-Training was implemented
in the Clerk’s Office during Fiscal Year 2009, with an eye
toward developing a more flexible and mobile staff. In
Fiscal Year 2010, the project was substantially completed,
with all existing staff being cross-trained in the targeted
divisions: Civil/Small Claims, Criminal, and Traffic and,
on St. Thomas, in Domestic Violence. Training in the Jury
Division has begun and is to be completed by the end of the
second quarter of Fiscal Year 2011. Training in the Family
Division was not part of the initial plan and will be assessed
for implementation at a later date.
2. COMPLETED IMPLEMENTATION OF DIGITAL
RECORDING: With the implementation of the Magistrate
Division, the Court also implemented electronic reporting
capabilities (Mobile FTR – For the Record) in that Division.
With this new technology, the Court is able to reallocate its
court reporting staff to other functions, such as coverage
of jury trials which are set to increase as a result of the
removal of magistrate duties from trial judges. Additionally,
the digital recording devices make it possible to produce
transcripts at a more expedited rate, as well as provide for
an audio record of hearings. Digital recording installation
was completed, with the final courtroom in the St. Thomas
Division’s Magistrate Division being outfitted in Fiscal Year
2010. Additionally, that is the first jury trial courtroom to
be outfitted with the new technology. Plans are underway
to procure equipment for all courtrooms Territory wide,
although such use will be limited to internal uses and not to
generate the official court record.
Additionally, the Court procured two mobile digital
recording units (one in each district) that may be deployed
to eliminate delays in courtrooms where a court reporter is
not available, or for use in administrative proceedings. Such
units have already been deployed to permit proceedings to
continue even where there has been staffing shortages due to
inclement weather and absences.
3. IMPROVEMENT OF CASE MANAGEMENT: The
Court moved one step closer to an improved delivery of
services, in its selection of a new case management system
and execution of a contract with Virginia-based AMCAD,
Inc. The implementation process and data conversions are
scheduled to begin in Fiscal Year 2011. The installation of
this system, which will include e-Filing, is set to be completed
during the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2012.
4. CASE DELAY REDUCTION EFFORTS: The Court
implemented various measures to reduce case delay
in several areas. Through changes in its scheduling of
proceedings and additional hearing periods, the Court
successfully reduced the time from filing to hearing in Small
Claims and Forcible Entry and Detainer cases from up to 90
days to approximately one to two weeks. These changes thus
improved court users’ access to justice.
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