2010 Annual Report - Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands

MAGISTRATE DIVISION
The Magistrate Division consists of no fewer than two magistrates
per judicial district and other officers and employees as the
Presiding Judge of the Superior Court considers necessary for the
proper administration and performance of duties and functions
of the division (Title 4 V.I. Code Ann. § 121). Additionally, in
accordance with Title 4 V.I. Code Ann. § 123 and 124, each
Magistrate may:
1. Administer oaths’ and affirmations and issue civil and
criminal process, including warrants of arrest, search
warrants, subpoenas and orders for: release on bail, detention
of persons pending trial and for contempt;
2. Take acknowledgements, affidavits and depositions;
3. Conduct marriages;
4. Hear all non-felony traffic offenses, litter cases,
misdemeanor criminal cases (maximum punishment not
more than six (6) months imprisonment; arraignment and
probable cause hearings in any criminal or traffic offense;
small claims cases and probate matters;
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5. Issue temporary and permanent restraining orders in
domestic violence cases; and,
6. Hear forcible entry and detainer and landlord and tenant
actions.
Also, upon designation by a judge of the Superior Court, pursuant
to the rules of the Court, a magistrate may:
1. Hear and determine any pretrial matter pending before
the court; and,
2. Conduct hearings.
The statistics indicated below reflect annual case statistics of
the Magistrate Division for Fiscal Year 2010 and represents
each judicial district. They reflect case filings, terminations
and pending cases for each case type under the purview of the
Magistrate Division: