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V.I. Constitution Draft Called Historic but Legally Risky as Advisor Urges Delegates to Clarify Rights Language

Delegates to the Sixth Constitutional Convention were told Saturday that their draft Bill of Rights is unusually ambitious by American standards, but that several provisions must be tightened to avoid federal objections, costly litigation, internal contradictions and court interpretations that may not reflect what delegates intended. Richard Albert, a University of Texas law professor serving as constitutional advisor to the convention, addressed delegates during a session focused on draft articles from the Standing Committee on Human Rights. His presentation covered Article One, the Bill of Rights; Article Four, Suffrage and Elections; Article 10, Children and Youth; and Article 16, Initiatives, Referendums and Recalls. Albert opened by placing the convention’s work in historical context, arguing that a homegrown constitution matters even though the U.S. Virgin Islands has operated for decades under the Revised Organic Act of 1954. He said a constitution written and ratified by Virg...