U.S. Virgin Islands
Capital: Charlotte Amalie · Population: 87,146
Constitutional Basis
Purchased from Denmark in 1917, the USVI is governed by the Revised Organic Act of 1954. Multiple attempts at drafting a territorial constitution (most recently in 2009 and 2012) have been unsuccessful, leaving the Organic Act as the primary governing document.
Legal System
The USVI operates under a common law system codified in the Virgin Islands Code. Its legal traditions are influenced by Danish colonial law (the islands were purchased from Denmark in 1917), resulting in some unique provisions regarding property and civil law.
Court Structure
The judicial system consists of the Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands (established 2007), the Superior Court (trial court), and the territorial Magistrate Division. Federal jurisdiction rests with the U.S. District Court of the Virgin Islands, with appeals to the Third Circuit.
Key U.S. Virgin Islands Laws
Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands (1954)
The Revised Organic Act serves as the USVI's governing charter, creating a 15-member legislature, guaranteeing civil rights, and organizing the territorial government structure.
Virgin Islands Criminal Code
The USVI criminal code defines crimes and penalties for the territory. It blends common law and statutory provisions inherited from Danish colonial law traditions.
Virgin Islands Property Law – Alien Landholding Restriction
USVI law restricts land purchases by non-residents and foreigners to protect the territory's limited real estate, requiring special licenses for certain property acquisitions.
Virgin Islands Minimum Wage and Labor Standards
USVI labor laws set a minimum wage higher than the federal level and establish workplace safety, overtime, and workers' compensation requirements for territorial employers.
Virgin Islands Coastal Zone Management Act
The USVI coastal zone law protects beaches, coral reefs, and marine habitats by regulating coastal development and requiring environmental permits for construction near the shoreline.