VIRGIN ISLANDS RULES FOR JUDICIAL DISCIPLINARY ENFORCEMENT VIRGIN ISLANDS RULES FOR JUDICIAL DISCIPLINARY ENFORCEMENT

• Jurisdiction: United States

VIRGIN ISLANDS RULES FOR JUDICIAL DISCIPLINARY ENFORCEMENT VIRGIN ISLANDS SUPREME COURT RULE 209

Originally Effective: January 1, 2010

(S. Ct. Prom. No. 2009-0001)

Last Amended: October 21, 2015

(S. Ct. Prom. No. 2014-0002)

Chapter Outline

Section I. Organization and Structure

Rule 209.1. Establishment and Disciplinary Authority

Rule 209.2. The Commission on Judicial Conduct

Rule 209.3. Organization and Authority of the Commission

Rule 209.4. Disciplinary Counsel

Rule 209.5. Commission Counsel

Section II. General Provisions

Rule 209.6. Grounds for Discipline; Sanctions Imposed; Deferred Discipline

Rule 209.7. Proof

Rule 209.8. Civil Rules Applicable

Rule 209.9. Right to Counsel

Rule 209.10. Ex Parte Contacts

Rule 209.11. Confidentiality

Rule 209.12. Immunity from Civil Suits

Rule 209.13. Service

Rule 209.14. Subpoena Power

Rule 209.15. Interim Suspension

Rule 209.16. Notification to Complainant

Section III. Disciplinary Proceedings

Rule 209.17. Screening and Investigation

Rule 209.18. Use of Allegations from Dismissed Cases

Rule 209.19. Formal Charges

Rule 209.20. Answer

Rule 209.21. Failure to Answer/Failure to Appear

Rule 209.22. Discovery

Rule 209.23. Discipline by Consent

Rule 209.24. Hearing

Rule 209.25. Review by the Supreme Court

Section IV. Special Proceedings

Rule 209.26. Complaint Against a Justice of the Supreme Court

Rule 209.27. Cases Involving Allegations of Mental or Physical Incapacity

PREAMBLE

The regulation of judicial conduct in the Virgin Islands is critical to preserving the integrity of the Virgin Islands's judiciary and enhancing public confidence in the judicial system. The purpose of these Rules is to provide a mechanism for the discipline of judicial officers of the Virgin Islands and was made necessary as a result of the decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in Kendall v. Russell, 572...