appeal in all cases, civil and criminal, shall be as established by law or ordinance in
force on the date of enactment of this Act, or as may hereafter be established by law or
ordinance by the municipal council having jurisdiction. *

 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 34. {Bill of rights and restrictions)

 No law shall be enacted in the Virgin Islands which shall deprive any person of
life, liberty, or property without due process of law or deny to any person therein equal
protection of the laws.

 In all criminal prosecutions the accused shall enjoy the right to be represented
by counsel for his defense, to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation, to
have a copy thereof, to have a speedy and public trial, to be confronted with the
witnesses against him, and to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his
favor.

 No person shall be held to answer for a criminal offense without due process of
 law, and no person for the same offense shall be twice put in jeopardy of punishment,
 nor shall be compelled in any criminal cause to give evidence against himself; nor
 shall any person sit as judge or magistrate in any case in which he has been engaged
 as attorney or prosecutor.

 All persons shall be bailable by sufficient sureties in the case of criminal
 offenses, except for first-degree murder or any capital offense when the proof is
 evident or the presumption great.

 No law impairing the obligation of contracts shall be enacted.

 No person shall be imprisoned or shall suffer forced labor for debt.

 All persons shall have the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus and the same
 shall not be suspended except as herein expressly provided.

 No ex-post-facto law or bill of attainder shall be enacted.

 Private property shall not be taken for public use except upon payment of just
 compensation ascertained in the manner provided by law.

 Nothing contained in this Act shall be construed to limit the power of the
 municipal councils herein provided to enact laws for the protection of life, the public
 health, or the public safety.

 Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and
 unusual punishment inflicted.