The Legislature of the Virgin Islands granted expanded jurisdiction to the Territorial Court, now known as the Superior Court on September 30, 1993, pursuant to Act. No. 5890. The Superior Court of the Virgin Islands assumed original jurisdiction in all criminal actions pursuant to 4 V.I. Code Ann. § 76, effective January 1, 1994. The Criminal Division, established pursuant to 4 V.I. Code Ann. § 79, is the division of the Clerk’s Office, that maintains all criminal-related Court records. The Criminal Division is responsible for filing and docketing case pleadings, processing the Court’s Orders, and issuing summons, subpoenas and warrants. Additionally, the division prepares for, schedules and oversees initial and preliminary hearings, processes bail and bail forfeitures, and appeals of criminal cases to the Appellate Division of the District Court of the Virgin Islands.

In accordance with 14 V.I. Code Ann. § 1, a crime or offense is defined as an act committed or omitted in violation of a law of the Virgin Islands and punishable by imprisonment, fine, removal from office, or disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit. Pursuant to 14 V.I. Code Ann. § 2, crimes and offenses are divided into felonies and misdemeanors.

All criminal records maintained by the Clerk’s Office are public records. However, the Clerk’s Office, Criminal Division, does not provide case information or case dispositions over the telephone. Files and the information contained therein are a matter of public record unless sealed by a Court’s Order.

The Office of the Clerk of the Superior Court is prohibited from rendering legal advice, interpreting law and recommending a specific attorney. You may wish to call the Virgin Islands Bar Association’s Referral Service at (340) 778-7497, if you need assistance in locating an attorney. The following information is provided to help you understand the proceedings in the Criminal Division.



Chapter 56 of Title 19 of the Virgin Islands Code establishes the proper storage, transportation and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes in the Virgin Islands, thereby promoting and facilitating, wherever possible, the recycling of solid waste products, and resource conservation and recovery. Further, the said statute is intended to educate the public on the need for, and to impose upon all persons, the duty of contributing to public cleanliness in order to promote the public health, safety and welfare. It is also to protect the economic and aesthetic interests of the people of the Virgin Islands.

The Criminal Division of the Clerk’s Office is responsible for the proper disposition of all litter offenses, the preparation of the appropriate records relating to these litter tickets as directed by the Court. The Clerk of the Superior Court is the repository for all litter tickets issued to law enforcement officers and others.



The laws regulating conservation in the Virgin Islands are established pursuant to Title 12 of the Virgin Islands Code. Pursuant to 12 V.I. Code Ann. § 99a, enforcement officers of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources may enter upon any land or waters of the Territory for the performance of their lawful duties, and may take with them any necessary equipment. Such entry shall not constitute a trespass. It shall be lawful for any boat, motor vehicle or aircraft owned or chartered by the department to land and depart from any of the beaches or water of the Territory.

The Criminal Division of the Clerk’s Office is responsible for the proper disposition of conservation offenses as established under Chapter 9A of Title12 of the Virgin Islands Code, which establishes the regulations of Commercial Fishing. The Criminal Division also is responsible for the preparation of the appropriate records and reports relating to these conservation tickets in such a manner and at such times as directed by the Court. The Clerk of the Superior Court is the repository for all conservation tickets issued to law enforcement officers and others.