Read the laws yourself, Mather urges Virgin Islanders

Territory At-Large Representative Hon Stacy R. Mather, MBE, is pushing Virgin Islanders to stop accepting secondhand information about the law and instead look up the facts themselves.

Speaking during his weekly 'Mather Minute' on October 28, Mather highlighted a common problem: residents often believe what others tell them about legal matters without bothering to verify. "Too often we hear someone say, 'The law says this' or 'You can't do that' and simply take their word for it. But you can check for yourself," he said.

The representative pointed out that all Virgin Islands legislation is publicly accessible through laws.gov.vg. The site lets users search the constitution, current laws, revised statutes, bills under consideration, repealed acts, and UK legislation that applies to the territory.

Mather called on residents to spend time reading the laws and building their own understanding of the legal framework. "Know the law, know your rights, know your responsibilities," he said.

At the same time, Mather cautioned that self-education has limits. He advised people to consult a lawyer when they need professional guidance on how the law applies to their specific circumstances. "When you need legal advice or help understanding how the law applies to your situation, consult an attorney," he said.