Senators Have Questions, Remedies for Court Backlogs

Like several of his colleagues, Sen. Kenneth Gittens complimented Regina deChabert Petersen, administrator of Courts, on her testimony at Tuesday’s Rules and Judiciary Committee hearing

But, like several of his colleagues, he also asked how the judiciary branch could speed up its handling of cases, especially those in Probate Court.

Sen. Carla Joseph, committee chair, said some probate cases “go on for years and years.”

She said there must be something fundamentally wrong with the way probate cases are handled in the Virgin Islands because probate cases stateside are usually resolved in 60 days.

Petersen said part of the problem was an antiquated code that convoluted the probate process. She said cases “were not stuck in court, only because of the court.” She added that members of the judicial branch were committed to finding a solution.