(a) The Superior Court is hereby authorized to microfilm in duplicate all original records, files and documents, with the exception of traffic tickets, maintained pursuant to its judicial function. All such original records, files and documents shall be retained until reproduced by microphotographic process, and thereafter may be destroyed, provided that no records, files or documents less than one year old shall be subject to destruction. Traffic tickets which have either been paid or dismissed may also be destroyed by order of the Presiding Judge, notwithstanding the fact that the microfilming of same is not authorized by law.
(b) One duplicate original of each of the aforesaid microphotographed writings shall be retained by the Court in the Judicial Division where such writings were originally filed and the other duplicate original shall be forwarded to the archives of the Government of the Virgin Islands for preservation and safekeeping. Upon transmission to the archives, the microphotographed writings of the Superior Court shall be subject to the same restrictions and prohibitions as they would have been if custody was retained in the Superior Court.
(c) Microphotographs of records made in compliance with this section shall have the same effect as the original and shall be treated as originals for the purpose of their admissibility in evidence. Certified or authenticated reproductions of the microphotographs shall be admitted in evidence equally with the original microphotographs.