Judiciary tells Rules Committee it needs judges, staff and stable funding to reduce case backlogs

Regina DeChabbert Peterson, administrator of courts for the Judicial Branch of the United States Virgin Islands, told the Senate Committee on Rules and Judiciary on Feb. 27 that the judiciary faces persistent case backlogs, staffing shortages and cash-flow constraints that limit its ability to carry out court operations.

Peterson said the Superior Court had a pending caseload of 11,666 as of Sept. 30, 2024, and the Supreme Court had 91 appeals pending. "It goes without saying that it is extremely difficult and frustrating to be held to monthly allotments," Peterson said, describing the strain of receiving delayed disbursements from the Department of Finance.

Peterson urged lawmakers to consider changes to territorial law to prevent operational disruptions when judicial terms expire. She outlined draft legislation that would allow incumbent superior court judges to remain in office until reappointed or replaced and would create flexible mechanisms to appoint former judges and limited-term part‑time magistrates to cover dockets during vacancies.

Why it matters

The judiciary is asking the legislature for both statutory changes and budget support to reduce delays that affect criminal and civil cases. Court leaders said the most severe impediments are judicial vacancies, limits on appointing senior sitting judges since enactment of Act 89-19, a shortage of administrative staff,…