Case Caption: In Re: Quincy G. McRae, People of the Virgin Islands v. Jerris T. Browne, Gregory Christian, And Syed GilaniCase Number: SCT-CIV-2020-0024Date: 05/27/2021Author: Hodge, Rhys S. Citation: 2021 VI 10Summary: In an appeal from a Superior Court order holding an Assistant Attorney General in civil contempt and directing him to either pay a $250 fine or to develop and implement a formal plan to ensure that the Department of Justice promptly notifies the Superior Court of changes in assistant attorney general case assignments, there was no error in holding the attorney in civil contempt, since the Superior Court’s February 1, 2019 order was clear and unambiguous and he failed to diligently comply with it in a reasonable manner. Moreover, the Superior Court possessed the authority to hold the attorney in civil contempt notwithstanding his employment as an Assistant Attorney General – since the power to hold an attorney in contempt is a quintessential judicial power. However, the Superior Court erred when it granted the attorney the option to develop and implement a formal plan in lieu of paying the $250 fine, because this alternative sanction bore no relation to the legitimate purpose of compensating the Superior Court for the costs associated with the attorney’s non-compliance with the February 1, 2019 order. Accordingly, that portion of the February 18, 2020 opinion and order holding the attorney in civil contempt and imposing a $250 fine is affirmed. The Superior Court’s March 13, 2020 order, and that portion of the February 18, 2020 opinion and order permitting the attorney to develop and implement a formal plan as an alternative to paying the $250 fine, are vacated.Attachment: Open Document or Opinion