VIRGIN ISLANDS RULES OF FAMILY DIVISION PROCEDURE Rule 93. Advisory Hearing and Pretrial Conferences

• Jurisdiction: United States

Rule 93. Advisory Hearing and Pretrial Conferences

(a) Advisory Hearing.

(1) Unless the petition to terminate parental rights is upon the consent of the parent(s) involved, an advisory hearing on the petition to terminate parental rights must be held as soon as possible after service of process, and without any unnecessary delay.
(2) The court must:

(A) advise the parents of their right to counsel and appoint counsel in accordance with legal requirements;
(B) determine whether an admission, consent, or denial to the petition shall be entered; and
(C) appoint a guardian ad litem if one has not already been appointed.

(3) If a parent served with notice fails to personally appear at the advisory hearing, the court shall enter a consent to the termination of parental rights petition for the parent who failed to

...