--- title: "George W. Cannon, Jr | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/george-w-cannon-jr-virgin-islands-us-magistrate" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-08" --- # George W. Cannon, Jr District Court of the Virgin Islands · U.S. Magistrate Judge ## Profile - Court: District Court of the Virgin Islands - State: U.S. Virgin Islands - Role: U.S. Magistrate Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-29 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - George W. Cannon, Jr. held the role of a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the District Court of the Virgin Islands (Division of St. Croix) from April 12, 2004, until his retirement on April 30, 2022 - Legal career: Moved to St. Croix in 1980, worked briefly with Legal Services of the Virgin Islands, then joined the Virgin Islands Attorney General’s Office in 1981 - Chief District Judge Robert A. Molloy praised Judge Cannon’s 18 years of dedicated service to the District Court, the legal community, and the people of the Virgin Islands ### Education ### Additional information - Magistrate, District Court, Virgin Islands, 2004-present - The District Court of the Virgin Islands announced his retirement in August 2021, effective April 30, 2022. - “After 18 years, it is time for me to step down and let someone else take over. - I enjoyed my experience serving the people of the Virgin Islands — 24 years as a lawyer and 18 years as a judge. - I was pleased to be of service to the judiciary”. - Motion to compel arbitration — granted under narrow interpretation of the “null and void” exception - Summary judgment — granted in part in one case - Preliminary injunction — granted in one case - These rulings reflect his handling of both procedural and substantive issues in the Virgin Islands’ federal court system. - His career combined legal expertise, community engagement, and a commitment to justice over nearly two decades. - Habeas petition — denied - Early life: Grew up in Clarksdale, Mississippi; attended college in Texas; law degree from Antioch School of Law, Washington, D.C. - Personal life: Married to Sandra Cannon; two children, George III and Sansara. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### civil remote testimony Scope: courtwide In federal district-court civil proceedings, testimony is ordinarily taken in open court; remote contemporaneous testimony requires good cause in compelling circumstances and appropriate safeguards. Evidence excerpt: For good cause in compelling circumstances and with appropriate safeguards, the court may permit testimony in open court by contemporaneous transmission from a different location. [Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 43(a), Testimony in Open Court](https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/current-rules-practice-procedure/federal-rules-civil-procedure) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### criminal recording and broadcasting Scope: courtwide Federal district courts may not permit courtroom photography or broadcasting during criminal judicial proceedings unless a statute or another federal rule provides an exception. Evidence excerpt: Except as otherwise provided by a statute or these rules, the court must not permit the taking of photographs in the courtroom during judicial proceedings or the broadcasting of judicial proceedings from the courtroom. [Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 53, Courtroom Photographing and Broadcasting Prohibited](https://www.uscourts.gov/court-records/access-court-proceedings/remote-public-access-proceedings/history-cameras-broadcasting-and-remote-public-access-courts) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/cjra_na_0331.2026.pdf#page=27) - [Official roster](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/cjra_na_0331.2026.pdf#page=27) - [U.S. Courts judicial profile or roster](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/cjra_na_0331.2026.pdf#page=27) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9712/george-w-cannon-jr/) - [Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 43(a), Testimony in Open Court](https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/current-rules-practice-procedure/federal-rules-civil-procedure) - [Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 53, Courtroom Photographing and Broadcasting Prohibited](https://www.uscourts.gov/court-records/access-court-proceedings/remote-public-access-proceedings/history-cameras-broadcasting-and-remote-public-access-courts) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9712/george-w-cannon-jr/) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9712/george-w-cannon-jr/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/george-w-cannon-jr-virgin-islands-us-magistrate", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/george-w-cannon-jr-virgin-islands-us-magistrate", "name": "George W. 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