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¿Qué es el National Crime Information Center Registry (Centro de Registro Nacional de Información de Crímenes)? ¿Quién tiene acceso?
<p>El National Crime Information Center Registry (NCIC) (Centro de Registro Nacional de Información de Crímenes) es una base de datos nacional utilizada por agencias del orden público en los Estados Unidos, Canadá, y Puerto Rico. Es administrada por el FBI y los oficiales de autoridad competente.</p>
<p>Antes de mudarse a Islas Vírgenes de los Estados Unidos, el estado donde le fue otorgada su orden de protección puede que ya haya ingresado su orden en el NCIC, de lo contrario su orden será ingresada en el NCIC una vez que esta haya sido registrada en VI.</p>
<p><strong>Nota:</strong> La mayoría de los oficiales judiciales tienen acceso al NCIC, pero esta información está encriptada para evitar el acceso de intrusos.</p>
How do I register my restraining order in the U.S. Virgin Islands?
You can file (register) your protection order in the U.S. Virgin Islands by giving a certified copy of your order to the clerk of Superior Court or to the Attorney General’s office and ask that it be registered with the clerk of the Superior Court.1 Additionally, the law says that you need to also file an affidavit that says that to the best of your knowledge, the order is still in effect.2
If you need help registering your restraining order, you can contact a local domestic violence organization in the U.S. Virgin Islands for assistance. You can find contact information for organizations in your area here on our VI Advocates and Shelters page.
1 5 V.I.C. § 585(a)
2 5 V.I.C. § 585(d)
Do I have to register my restraining order in the U.S. Virgin Islands in order to get it enforced?
The U.S. Virgin Islands’ law gives full protection to an out-of-state restraining order as long as you can show the officer a copy of the order and can truthfully tell the officer that you believe the order is still in effect. The police officer does need to believe that it is a valid (real) order.1
1 5 V.I.C. § 583(b)
Will the abuser be notified if I register my restraining order?
Under the federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which applies to all U.S. states and territories, the court is not permitted to notify the abuser when a protective order has been registered or filed in a new state unless you specifically request that the abuser be notified.1 However, you may wish to confirm that the clerk is aware of this law before registering the order if your address is confidential.
However, remember that there may be a possibility that the abuser could somehow find out what state you have moved to. It is important to continue to safety plan, even if you are no longer in the state where the abuser is living. We have some safety planning tips to get you started on our Safety Planning page. You can also contact a local domestic violence organization to get help in developing a personalized safety plan. You will find contact information for organizations in your area on our VI Advocates and Shelters page.
1 18 USC § 2265(d)
What if I don't register my restraining order? Will it be more difficult to have it enforced?
Neither federal law nor state law requires that you register your restraining order in order to get have it enforced. If your order is not entered into the state registry, the U.S. Virgin Islands’ law enforcement should still enforce your order if it:
- identifies the protected individual and the respondent;
- is currently in effect;
- was issued by a court that had jurisdiction (power) to issue the order; and
- was issued after the respondent was given adequate notice and opportunity to be heard in reasonable time.1
If you are unsure about whether registering your order is the right decision for you, you may want to contact a local domestic violence organization in your area. An advocate there may be able to help you decide what the safest plan of action is for you in the U.S. Virgin Islands. To see a list of local domestic violence organizations in the U.S. Virgin Islands, go to our VI Advocates and Shelters page.
1 5 V.I.C. § 583(d)
Does it cost anything to register my restraining order?
There is no fee for filing your restraining order in the U.S. Virgin Islands.1
1 5 V.I.C. § 585(f)
