(a) In addition to the rights granted to victims and witnesses in section § 203, a victim of a crime against the person has a right to request advance notice of the offender’s release from custody. Initially, the court shall notify the Virgin Islands Police Department-Office of Victim/Witness Advocate, the Department of Justice Victim Services Unit, the Family Resource Center, and the Women’s Coalition, or any successor victim’s advocacy organization, of the pre-trial and post-trial release of a defendant who is charged with a crime against the person.
(b) (1) Using the most recent contact information provided by the victim, the Department of Justice shall notify any victim or alleged victim who has requested to be notified of the release of the defendant:(A) not later than 15 days before the defendant is released from custody for any reason, including release on bail or personal recognizance, release from a medical or mental health institution, completion of the term of incarceration or commutation of sentence; or(B) as soon as practicable after being notified of the defendant’s impending release, but not later than 24 hours after learning of the defendant’s actual release; or(C) not later than one hour after being notified that a defendant has escaped from custody.(2) The notice must be by one of the following means:(A) calling the victim or alleged victim;(B) emailing the victim or alleged victim; or(C) serving the victim or alleged victim with notification of release by a person authorized to serve summonses and complaints.
(1) Using the most recent contact information provided by the victim, the Department of Justice shall notify any victim or alleged victim who has requested to be notified of the release of the defendant:(A) not later than 15 days before the defendant is released from custody for any reason, including release on bail or personal recognizance, release from a medical or mental health institution, completion of the term of incarceration or commutation of sentence; or(B) as soon as practicable after being notified of the defendant’s impending release, but not later than 24 hours after learning of the defendant’s actual release; or(C) not later than one hour after being notified that a defendant has escaped from custody.
(A) not later than 15 days before the defendant is released from custody for any reason, including release on bail or personal recognizance, release from a medical or mental health institution, completion of the term of incarceration or commutation of sentence; or
(B) as soon as practicable after being notified of the defendant’s impending release, but not later than 24 hours after learning of the defendant’s actual release; or
(C) not later than one hour after being notified that a defendant has escaped from custody.
(2) The notice must be by one of the following means:(A) calling the victim or alleged victim;(B) emailing the victim or alleged victim; or(C) serving the victim or alleged victim with notification of release by a person authorized to serve summonses and complaints.
(A) calling the victim or alleged victim;
(B) emailing the victim or alleged victim; or
(C) serving the victim or alleged victim with notification of release by a person authorized to serve summonses and complaints.
(c) The Department of Justice, through its Victims Services Unit, shall ensure that victims who have requested notification provide their most recent telephone number, email address, mailing address and primary place of residence. The Department of Justice shall ensure that the information is stored securely. The victim is responsible for providing to the Department of Justice the victim’s current contact information.
(d) When a defendant is found guilty of a crime of violence or an offense involving crimes against the person, and a condition of the sentence restricts the defendant’s ability to have contact with the victim, that condition must be included in the order, and the Clerk of the Court or the person designated by the court shall provide a written copy of that order to the victim not later than 48 hours after its entry.
(e) The Bureau of Corrections shall notify the Department of Justice, the Virgin Islands Police Department, the Family Resource Center, and the Women’s Coalition, or any successor victim’s advocacy organization, of the release of a defendant who is charged with a crime against the person:(1) not later than 30 days before the defendant is released from custody for any reason, including release on bail or personal recognizance, release from a medical or mental health institution, completion of the term of incarceration or commutation of sentence; or(2) as soon as practicable after being notified of the defendant’s impending release, but not later than 24 hours after learning of the defendant’s actual release; or(3) not later than two hours after discovering that a defendant has escaped from custody.
(1) not later than 30 days before the defendant is released from custody for any reason, including release on bail or personal recognizance, release from a medical or mental health institution, completion of the term of incarceration or commutation of sentence; or
(2) as soon as practicable after being notified of the defendant’s impending release, but not later than 24 hours after learning of the defendant’s actual release; or
(3) not later than two hours after discovering that a defendant has escaped from custody.