The Supreme
Court of the Virgin Islands rules provide for the confidentiality of Commission
proceedings. The level of confidentiality is determined by the disposition of a
complaint. If a complaint is dismissed (e.g., for lack of evidence or
jurisdiction), the original complaint and the order resolving the case will not
be released to the public.
More
information is made public when a complaint results in judicial discipline. In
formal cases involving the potential censure, suspension or removal of a judge from
office, the complaint, the judge's response and other related documents will be
open for public inspection upon filing in the Supreme Court of the Virgin
Islands by the Commission.
Commission
correspondence, computer records, investigative reports, attorney work product,
and the minutes of Commission deliberations remain confidential and are not
released to the public.
The Commission
may disclose confidential information about a judge's conduct to judicial
nominating commissions or officials involved in the nomination process and
other official agencies involved in criminal prosecutions or charged with
evaluating the qualifications of a judge.
Until the
Commission files a recommendation with the Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands all
proceedings are confidential. Should the complainant or any person acting on
behalf of the complainant violate the confidentially requirements, the
Commission may take appropriate action to remedy the violation which may result
in a dismissal of the complaint without further action.