COMMITTEE ON RULES AND JUDICIARY 
12/12/2024-AMENDED AND REPORTED OUT TO THE FLOOR 
 
BILL NO. 
35-0399 
 
Thirty-Fifth Legislature of the Virgin Islands 
 
 
 
October 30, 2024 
 
 
 
An Act amending title 16 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 2, section 99 establishing a mandatory 
minimum bail amount in domestic violence cases 
 
 
 
PROPOSED BY: 
 
 
Senators Angel L. Bolques, Jr. and Marvin A. Blyden 
 
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the Virgin Islands: 
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SECTION 1.  (a) Title 16 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 2, section 99, is amended as 
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follows:  
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(1) 
subsection (b): 
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(A) in paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) by inserting “Not less than” at the 
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beginning of each paragraph respectively and by striking “with no 10% provision” 
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and inserting “fully secured” in each paragraph respectively; and 
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(B) by inserting the following paragraph (4): 
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“(4) If the underlying crime has a higher bail amount than the amount 
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in subsection (b) of this section, the higher bail amount shall apply.” 
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(b) 
subsection (c) is amended by inserting the following after “forthwith.”: “If the 
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defendant has any contact with the victim after release, and the People can prove the defendant 
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contacted the victim by a preponderance of the evidence, the defendant shall be immediately 
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remanded to custody, and his bail revoked.  To be released, the defendant must demonstrate to 
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the Court that he is not a danger to the victim.” 
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(c) 
subsection (e) is amended by inserting the following after “center.”: “Appropriate 
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treatment options include a certified Partner Abuse Intervention Program.” 
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BILL SUMMARY 
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This bill establishes a mandatory minimum bail amount for a person arrested for or 
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charged with a crime that constitutes domestic violence. 
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BR24-1330/October 18, 2024/AA 
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1095 - DRAFTED ON YELLOW.docx 
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