Virgin Islands Commission on Judicial Conduct 

 

The Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands established the Commission on Judicial Conduct by court rule to investigate allegations that a judge is not properly performing his or her official duties because of willful misconduct, ethical violations or a permanent disabling health condition. The Commission may take various actions to remedy improper conduct including simply meeting with the judge, privately or publicly reprimanding the judge, or recommending that the Supreme Court remove a judge from office. In an appropriate case, the Commission also may recommend that a judge be placed on disability retirement. 

Created in 2010, the Commission is composed of 9 members, three citizens, three attorneys, and three judges. Commission members serve staggered four-year terms. 

The Commission does not have jurisdiction over federal judges or administrative law judges.  

The Commission has the authority to investigate any of the following acts: 

·         willful misconduct by a judge, including misconduct which, although not related to judicial duties, brings the judicial office into disrepute or is prejudicial to the administration of justice; 

·         willful or persistent failure of a judge to perform judicial duties, including the incompetent performance of judicial duties; 

·         intemperance, including extreme or immoderate personal conduct, recurring loss of temper or control; 

·         any conduct on the part of a judge that constitutes a violation of the Virgin Islands Model Code of Judicial Conduct; or 

·         a disability, which is or is likely to become permanent, that interferes with the 

·         performance of judicial duties. 

 

How Judges Are Disciplined for Misconduct 

 

The Commission on Judicial Conduct (CJC) is an independent agency created by the Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands, solely to investigate alleged misconduct by Virgin Islands local justices, judges and magistrates.  Although created by the Supreme Court the Commission operates independently under rules applicable to it and rules it established for itself.  The official website of the commission may be found at www.vicjc.org. The CJC has no authority over federal judges or judges in other states.  Complaints against local judges must be filed in writing with the CJC, not with the Supreme Court or any other court or judge.  The CJC can be reached via the Contact Information on its website.