United States District Court for the District of the Virgin Islands
About This Court
The District of the Virgin Islands is a federal judicial district covering the United States Virgin Islands, an unincorporated territory located in the Caribbean Sea east of Puerto Rico. The court has jurisdiction over federal matters arising in the territory, including civil, criminal, and bankruptcy cases. Because the Virgin Islands is a territory rather than a state, the court operates under a unique statutory framework and is part of the Third Circuit.
The court sits primarily in St. Thomas and St. Croix, the two most populous islands in the territory. Judges assigned to this district are appointed under Article III of the Constitution and serve lifetime appointments, though the district also utilizes magistrate judges and has historically had a smaller bench reflective of the territory's population.
The Virgin Islands District Court handles a range of matters including federal criminal prosecutions, civil rights claims, and cases arising under federal maritime and admiralty law, which are significant given the territory's coastal and island geography.
Proceedings are governed by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and Federal Rules of Evidence, along with the court's local rules. Bankruptcy cases are handled by the companion Bankruptcy Court, District of the Virgin Islands.
Divisions
St. Thomas-St. John Division (St. Thomas), St. Croix Division (Christiansted)
Caseload
The court handles a notable volume of federal drug trafficking and firearms cases given the territory's position as a transit point in the Caribbean. Maritime and admiralty matters also constitute a significant portion of the civil docket.
Bar Admission
Attorneys seeking admission to practice before the District of the Virgin Islands must be admitted to the bar of the Virgin Islands or satisfy the court's local rules governing pro hac vice admission. Applicants must also comply with the court's local rules regarding attorney conduct and registration.
Clerk's Office
5500 Veterans Drive, St. Thomas, VI 00802
(340) 774-0640
Local Rules
54 local rules extracted from this court's published rules. See the court's official website for the authoritative text.