ST. THOMAS (VI) - A STATEMENT ON FACILITY NEEDS FOR THE PROPOSED JUDICIAL BUILDING WITHIN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMPLEX - CRIMINAL COURTS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT

• NCJ Number: 39783
• Author(s): F M WONG; L SIEGEL
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 56 pages
• Contract Number(s): J-LEAA-043-72
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: American University
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS REPORT, DATED JUNE 1973, ASSESSES THE FACILITY NEEDS OF THE MUNICIPAL COURT OF THIS ISLAND, HAVING A TOTAL POPULATION OF 37,285.

Abstract

AS THE COURT OF LIMITED CIVIL AND CRIMINAL JURISDICTION FOR THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS, THE MUNICIPAL COURT IS ORGANIZED INTO THE DIVISION OF ST. THOMAS AND ST. JOHN AND THE DIVISION OF ST. CROIX. THE DIVISION OF ST. THOMAS AND ST. JOHN IS DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS, WITH COURTROOM FACILITIES LOCATED IN TWO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, A QUARTER-MILE APART. THESE FACILITIES ARE SHARED BY THREE JUDGES WHO HOLD REGULAR SESSIONS FIVE-TO-SIX DAYS PER WEEK. ANALYSIS OF INFORMATION ON CASELOAD, PERSONNEL, POPULATION, AND COURT OPERATIONS PLUS ON-SITE VISITS AND PERSONAL INTERVIEWS LED TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE EXISTING FACILITIES WERE GROSSLY INADEQUATE. A PRELIMINARY FACILITY PROGRAM IS PROPOSED FOR THE DESIGN OF A NEW MUNICIPAL COURT FACILITY AS A PART OF A CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMPLEX HOUSING ALL THE FUNCTIONS OF THE TERRITORIAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES ON ST. THOMAS. FOUR COURTROOMS AND ANCILLARY FACILITIES ARE RECOMMENDED IN THE FACILITY PROGRAM FOR THE MUNICIPAL COURT....ELW