About the Court

HONORABLE DARRYL DEAN DONOHUE

Presiding Judge

Persons visiting the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands do so for various purposes. Accordingly, we offer the following information to aid you in understanding policies and procedures that must be adhered to when conducting business at the Court.

Visitor Procedures

All visitors must enter the courthouse through the security checkpoints. With the exception of court patrons who are attending a hearing in any courtroom and or filing documents in the Clerk’s Office, before any visitor can proceed to any Judge’s Chamber or the administrative offices, the respective office must be notified by a Security Officer.

Dress Policies

All persons doing business with the court must be properly attired in business or business casual clothes. Any person wearing the following attire will not be allowed to conduct business in the Superior Court:

Any article of clothing that reveals too much of the body
Sleeveless Shirts (when going to Court hearings)
Tank/Halter Tops (when going to Court hearings)
Short Pants (when going to Court hearings)
Slippers (when going to Court hearings)
The Superior Court reserves the right to enforce this rule and prevent anyone who is inappropriately dressed from the entering the building and/or its courtrooms.

Courtroom Etiquette

This is a court of law and the rules of proper decorum will apply. Please remain quiet while the Court is in session. Persons who fail to conduct themselves in an orderly manner may be removed from the Courtroom and/or premises.

When attending Court proceedings, please be respectful of the Judge and court personnel at all times. You are required to stand when addressing the court. If you have a disability that would make this difficult, please advise the Judge.
As a spectator in the Court, you are required to sit quietly while the Court is in session. Please refrain from speaking during the proceedings as hearings are recorded. Disruptive behavior such as talking, laughing, shouting or creating other loud disturbances will not be tolerated. The Deputy Marshal may remove offenders from the Courtroom and the Judge may hold violators in contempt of court.
Electronic equipment, newspapers, food, beverages, chewing gum and tobacco are prohibited in the courtrooms.

Cellular Telephones

Court patrons are not permitted anywhere inside of the Court with a cellular phone. All cellular phones are to be turned off and will be tagged and secured by the Court’s Security Officers at any and all entry points until the owner has completed his business within the court.

Weapons

Entry into the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands while bearing firearms is expressly forbidden. The following categories are exempt:

Peace Officers
Police Auxiliary Officers
Federal Law Enforcement Officers

All officers are required to secure all weapons at the security office on the first floor of the courthouses in both districts.

Restricted Items

All patrons of the Superior Court are instructed to turn in restricted items to the security officer upon their entry of the building. Restricted items includes, but are not limited to pagers and pocket utility knives. Such items shall be tagged and secured at the point of entry. The item(s) will be returned to the visitor upon their departure from the building.

Smoking

In accordance with 23 V.I. Code Ann. § 892(c)(3), smoking is prohibited inside the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands. Please note that smoking is permitted in the courtyards and on the exterior balconies.

Photographing or Recording Court Proceedings

Photographing, sketching, radio or television broadcasting or transmission is prohibited in any courtroom during any proceedings without the consent of the Court.