Restraining Orders

If you have a valid U.S. Virgin Islands domestic violence restraining order that meets federal standards, it can be enforced in another state.  The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which is a federal law, states that all valid domestic violence restraining orders granted in the United States receive “full faith and credit” in all state and tribal courts within the US, including US territories.  See How do I know if my domestic violence restraining order is good under federal law? to find out if your domestic violence restraining order qualifies.

Each state must enforce out-of-state domestic violence restraining orders in the same way it enforces its own orders.  Meaning, if the abuser violates your out-of-state domestic violence restraining order, s/he will be punished according to the laws of whatever state you are in when the order is violated.  This is what is meant by “full faith and credit.”