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Magistrate Tamia N. Richards suffers broken leg; Cases moved to 2025

Word reaching our news centre from attorneys and residents affected is that Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards fell and broke her fibula (calf bone) last week and cases before her have since been adjourned to 2025. Photo: VINO/File
Magistrate Tamia N. Richards reportedly fell and broke her fibula. Photo: Internet Source
Magistrate Tamia N. Richards reportedly fell and broke her fibula. Photo: Internet Source
Attorneys and residents affected are concerned that court cases they are involved in have been adjourned to 2025 because Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards has a broken leg. Photo: opiniojuris.org
Attorneys and residents affected are concerned that court cases they are involved in have been adjourned to 2025 because Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards has a broken leg. Photo: opiniojuris.org
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Word reaching our news centre from attorneys and residents affected is that Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards fell and broke her fibula (calf bone) last week. The fibula is the smaller of the two bones in the lower leg.

Details of how and where it happened were not immediately available at publication time; however, it is believed she had to be taken to Dr D Orlando Smith Hospital for medical care, according to a family member speaking to our newsroom on condition of anonymity.

Justice delayed is justice denied

However, two Attorneys and four residents with matters before Ms Richards told our newsroom that while they wished her a “speedy recovery and wished her well” they were very disappointed that all her cases and rulings are now adjourned until 2025, leaving many persons with delayed justice.

It is unclear if there are any other Magistrates available to take up her cases or even read her rulings. Residents continue to frequently complain, with no remedy in sight about the Judicial System and how often cases are adjourned because the Crown is not ready to proceed, they can’t find witnesses or police reports, or a Judge or Magistrate is out sick.

Only the clients (victims & the accused) suffer

It has cost residents thousands of dollars in attorney fees for flying in lawyers for what would usually turn out to be adjourned court cases. The same is true for residents who may have relocated overseas and have to spend huge sums flying in only to be told on the day of the case that the matter has been adjourned at the request, most often, of the state prosecution.

The one-man Commission of Inquiry (CoI) headed by a British national held a few years ago did not address the blatant injustice in the Legal and Judicial System where, for example, there are persons on remand at His Majesty’s Prison in Balsam Ghut on the main Island of Tortola for well over five years. Additionally, under the Virgin Islands legal system, the average civil and criminal matter takes up to five years to be concluded, even without adding in the appeal time.

Many believe the alleged corrupt and rotten judicial system was not addressed in the CoI because the courts and legal system are the portfolios of a British-appointed Governor.

26 Responses to “Magistrate Tamia N. Richards suffers broken leg; Cases moved to 2025”

  • HMMM (27/11/2024, 14:26) Like (17) Dislike (47) Reply
    she should break both, she is a very bad judge when it comes to men in court for divorce.
    • @ hmmm (27/11/2024, 17:54) Like (23) Dislike (2) Reply
      A magistrate does not deal with divorce. A Judge of the High Court(Civil Side) is who does deal with divorce. So get your facts straight from talking bs!!!!.
    • No sex warrant (27/11/2024, 19:54) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply

      At Hmm. You're a dog. I'll just rest this here.

  • lord o. (27/11/2024, 14:32) Like (42) Dislike (2) Reply
    So there is no back up. No one can be appointed until God knows how long she is going to be out..So, unfair, careless about victims, witnesses, accuses and defendants..
    • Madussa (27/11/2024, 16:18) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Lord o. You are correct, there should always be a backup person in case of accident or death. I remember having to wait 2 weeks to get a simple paper signed because the person in charge was on vacation. RIDICULOUS!
    • @lord o. (27/11/2024, 17:13) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
      That is odd right? No back up system in place.which means people cases is going to get back up.Nowing this dysfunctional place it will be a long back up period.
  • Cindy (27/11/2024, 16:11) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    GET WELL SOON GIRLFRIEND
  • Trump (27/11/2024, 17:01) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    I was on a speed also & God slow me down.I beg you please,change your ways & show more love.
  • OH WOW (27/11/2024, 17:05) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Means lots of cases is going to be put on the back burner. Who knows when she will be back.
  • NB (27/11/2024, 17:32) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
    Just imagine, the system is held up because someone sustain injuries from whatever. No back up! We are truly a well developed country. We are doing great!
  • WTF (27/11/2024, 17:53) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    I NEVER HEARD OF A JUDGE BEING SICK. VINO NEDD TO PUBLISH TRUTHFUL ARTICLES!!!!
  • Not to worry (27/11/2024, 18:23) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    God is in FULL control of everything.
  • HMMM (27/11/2024, 21:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Tell that to Callwood who is encouraging people not to settle minor fender bender cases and is encouraging the people to go to court. Well if those people want to listen to Callwood and not let the person who caused the accident to fix your vehicle then your vehicle will get fixed next year.
  • .. (27/11/2024, 22:04) Like (13) Dislike (5) Reply
    she used to look so good going school, now her jaws looks swell like she gets bet in her face, hope she heels with a limp
  • Jingle bell (28/11/2024, 03:47) Like (2) Dislike (28) Reply
    Should have broken her neck!!!
  • mm (28/11/2024, 07:55) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    Witchcraft what else's people in this place is wicked my dear go seek spiritual help
  • God real (28/11/2024, 08:50) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    The case she discontinued with David James for his Alvin James when he chief of police with shooting of 2 levels one dead , is now coming back to her, if he had gotten a little time in jail he would of been living now . But God bless you still
  • lodger (28/11/2024, 09:13) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let's also recognize the truth of this land's history under British rule and work towards justice and equity.
  • HMMM (28/11/2024, 11:42) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    Who cares what happened to her!! She can’t deal with any case! Release all the murders and feel good about that?!!!
  • candy (28/11/2024, 13:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    why does the court have back up she will sit at home and think of how many cases she lost but any get well soon????
  • blessings (28/11/2024, 19:07) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Father God in the mighty name of Jesus I ask of you to touch Miss Richards with your healing hands. I pray for a speedy recovery and comfort her at this time. Father God I come against every negative, unkind words that are being spoken against her. In the name of Jesus. I speak life a not death in the name of Jesus. I cover her from the crown of her head to the sole of her feet with your blood in the name of Jesus. Lord thank you for her complete healing and answering this prayer in Jesus mighty name Amen
  • Listen (29/11/2024, 10:01) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    I really don't understand why her matters are being put off.. once in a blue moon she would come into court. all her matters from last year has been on zoom....

    what's the different now, yes I hope she heal and not in to much pain but she can still have her matters dealt with on zoom..

  • Cowards (29/11/2024, 18:43) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    A set of cowards commenting on this platform just sickening.Judge wishing you a speedy recovery


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