Category Archives: News

Celebrating Dads and Strong Families: PCSD’s V.I. Access and Visitation Program Honors Fathers at Fatherhood Buzz Certificate Ceremony

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands – The V.I. Access and Visitation Program (AVP) within the Paternity and Child Support Division (PCSD) of the V.I. Department of Justice (DOJ), hosted a special certificate ceremony on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at G & D Seafood in Subbase, honoring participants of the 4th Fatherhood Buzz program—a locally led initiative under the DOJ’s AVP Program aimed at strengthening father-child relationships and promoting positive parenting in the Territory.

Court Grants Department of Justice Request to Halt Enforcement of Unconstitutional Parole Law

U.S. Virgin Islands – The Superior Court of the Virgin Islands has granted a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) preventing the Board of Parole from hearing pending parole applications while its membership lacks a quorum.  At a later date the Court will hear arguments with respect to the Governor’s motion to enjoin the retroactive application of Act No. 8791(which would make geriatric parole available to those otherwise ineligible for parole under the law applicable at the time of their sentencing).

AVP Hosts Empowering 2nd Annual ‘Mothers Matter’ Event in Collaboration with Partner Agencies

U.S. Virgin Islands – The 2nd Annual Mothers Matter Empowerment Event was held on Saturday at the UVI 13D Research and Strategy Innovation Center, bringing together 60 incredible mothers to celebrate their strength, resilience, and dedication. Hosted by the Access and Visitation Program (AVP) of the V.I. Department of Justice (DOJ) Paternity and Child Support Division (PCSD), this empowering event united a coalition of five partner agencies to offer a day full of inspiration, support, and recognition.

DOJ: Joseph Ramirez Pleads Guilty To Assault In The First Degree For Strangling A Police Officer

U.S. Virgin Islands – V.I. Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea announced that on May 30, 2025, Joseph Ramirez pleaded guilty to First-Degree Assault before the Honorable Judge Douglas Brady in the Virgin Islands Superior Court. Sentencing is scheduled for July 30, 2025, and Ramirez faces up to fifteen years in prison.

Department of Justice Files Emergency Motion to Halt Unconstitutional Parole Law and Upcoming Hearings

U.S. Virgin Islands – The Virgin Islands Department of Justice has filed an emergency motion with the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands seeking a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) to postpone a series of parole hearings scheduled to begin on June 2, 2025, and to seek the court’s interpretation of whether the statute unconstitutionally alters judicially imposed sentences and parole eligibility.