Attorney general said violations of Virgin Islands emergency orders could bring criminal charges

Virgin Islands Attorney General Denise George said on April 7, 2020, that residents who willfully violated emergency executive orders and directives issued during the territory's declared state of emergency could face arrest and prosecution under Virgin Islands law.

George said the orders issued by Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. and Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion carried the force of law. She said the health commissioner, as incident commander, had authority to enforce health regulations involving quarantine, isolation and related measures.

According to the statement, people known to have the virus who willfully violated directives issued by the health commissioner could be charged under Title 14, subsection 886 of the Virgin Islands Code. That provision states that a person who willfully exposes himself or another person afflicted with a contagious or infectious disease in a public place may be fined up to $200, imprisoned for up to one year, or both.

George also said all territorial peace officers had been deputized during the emergency and were operating under the direction of the governor and the incident commander. She cited Title 14, subsection 883, which provides that a person who disobeys the lawful orders of a police officer may be fined up to $200, imprisoned for up to one year, or both.

The statement said businesses operating outside the requirements of the executive orders could also face administrative fines from the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs and possible revocation of their business licenses.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/residents-who-violate-executive-orders-and-directives-could-face-criminal-consequences-attorney-general-says/