NMI JUDICIARY 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

JUDICIARY Nort hern Mariana Islands

At the entry of the Guma Hustisia, a tablet honors Chamorro and Carolinian ancestors whose remains were carefully removed and reburied.

2014 Annual Report

amessagefromthechief justice This year we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Commonwealth Judiciary. Since its establishment in 1989, the Judiciary has accomplished a number of milestones including: -

-

-

Creation of the Supreme Court 1997 Constitutional amendment establishing an independent judiciary Appointment of four chief justices Completion of Centron Hustisia on Rota Improvement of Tinian Courthouse Transfer of appellate review from the Ninth Circuit to the U.S. Supreme Court in 2004 Establishment of the Judicial Council in 2009

Nevertheless, muchC.more needsa to be Chief Justice Alexandro Castro makes presentation at Marianas High School accomplished, and the idea of during beingthean annual Justices and Judges in the Classroom independent, fair, and innovative court program.

contents M essage f r om t h e Ch ief Ju st ice

2

Su pr em e Cou r t

4

Su per ior Cou r t Adm in ist r at ive Of f ice

Celebrating 25 Years!

10 Just ices and Judges in t he Cl assroom 20

30

Take a closer look at the Judiciary's interactive outreach program designed to educate our youth on the judicial system and its functions.

36

statistics SUPREME COURT

Law Revision Com m ission

25

Cler k of Cou r t In f or m at ion Syst em s Un it

Even t s

26

28

22

SUPERIOR COURT

NMI to establish Drug Court Summer Pre- Law Program

7

Judiciary announces future establishment of a drug court within the Superior Court.

27

Cler k of Cou r t

11

Fam ily Cou r t

18

supremecourt

ssu p re m e c o u rt upremecourt

Ch ief Ju st ice Alexan dr o C. Cast r o (center) Ju st ice Joh n A. M an glon a (left) Ju st ice Per r y B. In os (right)

The Supreme Court is the highest court in the Northern Mariana Islands. It was established in 1989, by Public Law 6- 25, to review appealed decisions of the NMI Superior Court. Prior to the establishment of the Supreme Court, appellate jurisdiction was vested in the District Court of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Immediately after its establishment, Supreme Court decisions were appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. After May 2004, all appeals from the Supreme Court are filed with the United States Supreme Court. The NMI Supreme Court is composed of a chief justice and two associate justices, who are nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Each justice is appointed for an eight- year term, after which he or she is subject to a retention election. The current justices are Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro, Associate Justice John A. Manglona, and Associate Justice Perry B. Inos. In 1989, Chief Justice Jose C. Dela Cruz, Associate Justice Ramon G. Villagomez, and Associate Justice Jesus C. Borja served as the first justices of the Supreme Court.

officeof the

clerkof court The Office of the Supreme Court Clerk of Court assists the Court in discharging its constitutional responsibilities. The Clerk?s Office receives, processes, and maintains permanent records of appeals, writs and petitions, and bar disciplinary cases. The Clerk of the Supreme Court, appointed by the Chief Justice, supervises the scheduling and assignment of cases, oversees the distribution and publication of Supreme Court opinions, administrative rules, and orders, and decides certain procedural motions filed with the Court. (scroll)

Dean n a M . Ogo, Cler k of Cou r t

Supr eme C o ur t C a ses Fil ed a n d O pin io n s Issued 1989

1994

1999

2004

2009

2014

Cases Filed

21

57

45

32

51

26

Opinions Issued

3

23

26

26

21

21

20 14 Publ ish ed O pin io n s

CASE

JUSTICES

In re Yana and Atalig, 2014 MP 1

Manglona, Carbullido, Torres

Commownealth v. Guerrero, 2014 MP 2

Castro, Manglona, Bellas

Commonwealth v. Sanchez, 2014 MP 3

Castro, Manglona, Inos

Commonwealth v. Guerrero, 2014 MP 4

Castro, Manglona, Bellas

Commonwealth v. Quitano, 2014 MP 5

Castro, Manglona, Inos

Commonwealth v. Fu Zhu Lin, 2014 MP 6

Castro, Manglona, Inos

Commonwealth v. Calvo, 2014 MP 7

Wiseman, Camacho, Bellas

Commonwealth v. Taman, 2014 MP 8

Castro, Manglona, Inos

In re the Matter of Woodruff, 2014 MP 9

Inos

Commonwealth v. Calvo, 2014 MP 10

Wiseman, Camacho, Bellas

ANZ Guam, Inc. v. Lizama, 2014 MP 11

Manglona, Inos, Bellas

Commonwealth v. Cepeda, 2014 MP 12

Castro, Manglona, Soll

Taisague v. Inos, 2014 MP 13

Torres, Carbullido, Bordallo

Shinji Fujie v. Atalig, 2014 MP 14

Manglona, Wiseman, Camacho

Commonwealth v. Guerrero, 2014 MP 15

Castro, Manglona, Bellas

Commonwealth v. Palacios, 2014 MP 16

Castro, Manglona, Wiseman

Commonwealth v. Salasiban, 2014 MP 17

Castro, Manglona, Inos

Commonwealth v. Crisostomo, 2014 MP 18

Castro, Manglona, Inos

Commonwealth v. Jin Song Lin, 2014 MP 19

Castro, Manglona, Inos

Commonwealth v. Santos, 2014 MP 20

Castro, Manglona, Soll

Commonwealth v. CUC, 2014 MP 21

Castro, Manglona Bellas

Supr eme C o ur t C a ses Fil ed

Cases Pending January 1, 2014: 48 Cases Filed in 2014: 27 -

Criminal: 8 Civil: 5 Petitions: 6 Pro Hac Vice: 2 Certified Legal Intern (CLI): 2 Disciplinary: 1 Administrative: 1 Certified Question: 1 Family: 1

Case Dispositions: 30 -

Dismissed-Court: 5 Dismissed-Voluntary: 4 Opinions: 21

Cases Pending December 31, 2014: 45 Cases Status of Pending Cases: At the end of 2014, forty-five cases were pending (21 Criminal; 19 Civil; 5 Other). Eleven are awaiting certification from the Superior Court, five are stayed, twenty-six are in the briefing stage or ready for oral argument, and three are awaiting decision.

CO la -O wP inle c E te D rk U rn CA sThIO ip Ns

Cooperative Education student, Mae Supreme Court lawAnthony clerks from left: Stephany Jordan Sundell, Summer Interns Garcia of Georgetown Moded, Kagman High School.

Nicole M.from Torres, and Joshua University Law Center andHansen-King.

Thomas Mitsch of the University of Texas School of Law.

Supreme Court law clerks conduct The udiciary, in collaboration with The JSupreme and Superior Courts legal research, as well as review, the Public School System, provides have a summer internship program edit and draft memoranda, high school students with the that provides law students with the opinions, and orders.

Law in clerks opportunity to to become participate opportunity involved in also assist the Court in ("Co-op its cooperative education Ed") the Judicial Branch of the community outreach programs and which is a structured method of Commonwealth of the Northern administrative functions. Typically, combining classroom-based Mariana Islands. clerkship are one year educationcontracts with practical work The program offers valuable with an option extend pending experience.

Thetoprogram awards exposureof to his/her work injustice. a professional approval academic credit and builds a bridge environment including attending connecting and (scroll) In 2014, theeducation Supreme Court (scroll) court sessions. (scroll)

superior court

officeof theclerkof court,superior court The Office of the Clerk of Court continues to perform its myriad of functions in support of its mandated responsibilities. These responsibilities not only include the initiation, maintenance, and disposition of all civil, criminal, family, small claims, and agency appeals, but also the oversight of customer service, records management, courtroom teams, jury trials and appeals, and electronic filing.

At the beginning of 2014, Presiding Judge Naraja issued a new general calendar. The issuance of the new general calendar was a result of Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio being sworn in as an Associate Judge on December 27, 2013.

The new calendar redistributed the dockets of the trial court judges, reverted the number of hearings for Rota and Tinian to two per month, and reduced the number of bail hearings from ten to seven per week.

In 2014, Jury Commission No. 13-001 was also issued. This document not only provides guidelines for jury duty exemptions pursuant to 7 CMC § 3103 and 3104, but also influences the drawing of citizens to be commissioned as potential jurors for Saipan.

On April V. 10,Diaz, 2014, the Clerk of Court, Family Patrick Clerk of Court Court Manager, Information Technology (scroll)

staff Patrick V. Diaz, Clerk of Court Daisy S. Mendiola, Deputy Clerk II Rosie T. Ada, Deputy Clerk II Luis Villagomez, Deputy Clerk I Kristy R. Diaz, Deputy Clerk I Sabrina Dela Cruz, Deputy Clerk I Eva P. Calvo, Deputy Clerk I Adelpha Kapileo, Deputy Clerk I Adeline Tereyama, Deputy Clerk I Joann A. Pangelinan, Deputy Clerk I Berliann Higgins, Deputy Clerk I Okalani Shiprit, Records Assistant

From left: Patrick V. Diaz, Daisy Mendiola, Okalani Shiprit, Kristy Diaz, Eva Calvo, Luis Villagomez, Joann Pangelinan, Sabrina Dela Cruz, Adelpha Kapileo, Delia Magofna, Summer Intern Jhan Anota, and Rosie Ada.

statistics 20 14 C a se Fil in g per Q ua r t er Month

Civil

Criminal

Small Claims

Traffic

Family Court

Juvenile

Jan. to Mar.

75

48

92

794

146

8

Apr. to June

58

21

156

1,296

145

5

July to Sept.

65

34

122

942

141

2

Oct. to Dec.

60

44

174

706

130

5

258

147

544

3,696

562

20

TOTAL

Note: Of the 147 criminal cases filed, 7 cases were charges involving sexual abuse of a minor and 43 were charges involving domestic violence cases .

Number o f C a ses Fil ed in t h e Super io r C o ur t 20 10 -20 14

Year

Civil

Criminal

Family Court (Incl. Small Claims Juvenile Cases)

Traffic

TOTAL

2010

368

230

657

976

2422

4653

2011

352

314

647

929

3743

5985

2012

314

240

614

602

2103

3873

2013

247

250

677

387

3,316

4,877

2014

258

147

582

544

3,696

5,227

Number o f C a ses Fil ed by Isl a n d CIVIL CASES

Saipan Rota Tinian

CRIMINAL FAMILY CASES COURT CASES

SMALL CLAIMS

TRAFFIC CASES

TOTAL

243

143

553

518

3,678

5,135

4

2

14

2

12

34

11

2

15

2

6

36

Jur y T r ia l s

2014

CRIMINAL

CIVIL

TRAFFIC

TOTAL

SAIPAN

9

0

0

9

TINIAN

0

0

0

0

ROTA

0

0

0

0

TOTAL

9

0

0

9

T r a f f ic Fin es: Fees a n d Paymen t s FILINGS 2014 3,108

NON PAYABLE MISDEMEANOR 561

PAYABLE IN COURT DISPOSITION 3,020

PAID

PENDING

3,088

463

Fa mily C o ur t C a ses by Isl a n d

Case Type Adoption

Saipan

Rota

Tinian

Total

31

2

1

34

2

0

0

2

Change of Name

22

0

1

23

Civil Commitment

1

0

0

1

179

5

5

189

0

0

0

0

148

4

6

158

Guardianship

53

5

1

59

Paternity

64

0

4

68

URESA

9

1

0

10

UCCJA

1

0

0

1

Wardship

16

0

1

17

Juvenile

20

0

0

20

546

17

19

582

Annulment

Divorce Emancipation Family Protection Act

Total

Publ ish ed D ec isio n s Case Type

PJ Naraja

AJ W iseman

AJ Govendo

AJ Camacho

6

21

3

8

2

10

6

5

11

2

Traffic

0

0

0

2

0

Small Claims

0

0

0

1

0

FCD

0

0

0

0

0

Tot al

16

27

8

22

4

Civil Criminal

AJ Kim-Tenorio

A ppo in t men t o f C o un sel f o r In d ig en t s 2014

CIVIL

CRIMINAL

FAMILY COURT

JUVENILE

SMALL CLAIMS

TRAFFIC

TOTAL

JAN.

2

3

4

0

4

1

14

FEB.

4

4

2

0

7

0

17

MAR.

2

4

6

1

0

0

13

APR.

1

4

3

1

3

0

12

MAY

2

5

5

0

1

0

13

JUNE

1

1

2

0

0

0

4

JULY

3

1

5

0

0

0

9

AUG

3

5

2

0

1

0

11

SEPT

1

6

3

0

0

0

10

OCT

1

1

2

0

0

0

4

NOV.

1

1

1

0

0

0

3

DEC.

0

6

5

0

3

0

14

21

41

40

2

19

1

124

TOTAL

Bir th Cer tificates JAN

FEB

M AR

APR

M AY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

TOTAL

Saipan

46

87

69

50

26

84

362

Tinian

1

6

4

0

2

1

14

Rota

3

2

4

0

0

2

11

50

95

77

50

28

87

387

TOTAL

Death Cer tificates JAN

FEB

M AR

APR

M AY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

SAI PAN

1

1

2

2

0

2

8

TI NI AN

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

ROTA

1

0

0

0

0

0

1

TOTAL

2

1

2

2

0

2

9

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

M ARRI AGE CERTI FI CATES FI L ED JAN

SPN-Cer t

FEB

M AR

APR

M AY

JUNE

27

27

27

29

26

28

24

24

23

16

16

34

301

22

20

14

0

0

20

29

35

14

13

22

16

205

3

4

6

2

0

9

24

SPN-Non TI Q-Cer t

1

0

1

0

0

1

0

1

0

1

0

1

6

3

8

2

0

0

1

2

0

0

1

1

1

19

0

0

0

0

0

0

TI Q-Non ROP-Cer t ROP-Non

familycourt division The Family Court Division (FCD) provides administrative support to the Family Court. The staff assists the Clerk of Court in the processing of pleadings and distribution of orders for Pro Se litigants who appear before the Family Court. In addition to its administrative function, the FCD offer client services to families and individuals who are seeking access to the court system by making its Pro Se Center available and user-friendly.

2014 CRIM INAL CIVIL TRAFFIC TOTAL SAIPAN9

0

0

9

TINIAN0

0

0

0

ROTA 0

0

0

0

TOTAL 9

0

0

9

The Family Court Division provides assistance in the following areas: -

Pro Se Services FCD Electronic Forms Family Court Referral Services DNA Paternity Testing Supervision ?Separating Parents?Class Program Home Study Program

(scroll)

officeof adult probation

Top from left: JD Del Rosario, Juan Aguon, Oscar Torres, Simram Simram.

Bottom from left: Shirley Ogomuro, Priscillia Cabrera, Mathilde Bermudes, Barbara Santos and Ursula Lifoifoi-Aldan

The Office of Adult Probation and the Marshal Service Division continue to provide adequate and quality services despite limited funding and staff. The divisions work together to meet the demands of service requirements. The team's commitment, hard work and resourcefulness are commendable.

The Office of Adult Probation has the legal responsibility to continually report its divisions' budget shortfall in order to advocate for sufficient funding and to ensure legally mandated services are delivered. The Judiciary?s annual budget request for more funding has not been fully met. (scroll) The representatives from the three branches of government, media and community members present at the 2014 Probation and Parole Proclamation

Sonia A. Camacho, Acting Director of Courts

Sonia A. Camacho

CO URTADMINISTRATIO N

Juan Diego V. Tenorio

Michelle V. Guerrero

Gerald E. Weaver

DIRECTOROFCOURTS

ACCOUNTINGSERVICEUNIT

HUMANRESOURCES

BUILDINGMAINTENANCE

M s. Cam acho oversees t he adm inist rat ive office and has t he prim ary responsibilit y for daily operat ions of t he court syst em .

The Account ing Service Unit s ( ASU) prepares t he financial st at em ent s and budget for t he judiciary and is responsible for collect ing and disbursing paym ent s.

The Hum an Resources division prim arily focuses on m ax im izing em ployee perform ance and educat ing and im plem ent ing personnel policies.

The Building M aint enance division is responsible for repair and m aint enance of t he court 's facilit ies. This division is com prised of t w o st aff m em bers.

Michael T. Villacrusis

Anthony P. Benavente

INFORMATIONSYSTEMSUNIT MARSHALSERVICEUNIT ISU provides t he inform at ion t echnology required for t he Judiciary t o perform it s daily services.

This includes st orage, net w ork, t echnical assist ance and support .

The M arshal Service Unit ( M SU) is t he enforcem ent arm of t he judiciary, providing securit y in and around t he court house building.

Jim W. Stowell

Steven S. Cabrera

PUBLICINFORMATION OFFICER

ADMINISTRATIVEASSISTANT

M r. St ow ell is t he com m unicat ions coordinat or and spokesperson for t he judiciary.

M r. Cabrera provides adm inist rat ive support t hroughout t he judiciary.

CO URTADMINISTRATIO N

InformationSystemsunit

Michael Villacrusis, Systems Administrator

Highlights Telephone Syst em Replacement Information Systems Unit (ISU)?s biggest project in 2014 was replacing the Judiciary?s telephone system network. Installed in 1997, the old telephone system constantly created problems for the Judiciary and required labor for repairs. To address the problems, the Judiciary decided that acquiring a new phone system would be the most cost-effective solution.

The telephone system replacement project began in June 2014 and was completed in August 2014. The project included planning, designing, and programming for compatibility with the old telephone system?s numbering plan, as well as testing for system stability, replacement of telephone servers and units, and installation of damage prevention equipments.

The new telephone system has been in operation. The project has improved the Judiciary?s means of communication and has reduced labor otherwise needed to maintain the old system.

Securit y Door Lock Syst em Programming The ISU collaborated with the Marshal Service Unit and the Maintenance Department in replacing the Judiciary?s security door lock system to improve security within the courthouse. (scroll)

Chief Justice Castro and Justice Manglona share a light moment during the staff Thanksgiving luncheon at the Pacific Islands Club.

The staff takes a break from the ROPES session aimed at building teamwork and collegiality.

Professional Development Chief Justice Castro presents Certificate of Appreciation to DHS Marvin Seman & Joey Dela Cruz for conducting the Tsunami training.

The Judiciary's Professional Development program includes lectures and presentations on court rules, court security, computer skills, wellness, and customer service.

Department of Public Safety Officer Roy Kaipat conduct a Self-Defense workshop.

Professional Development

programs

Com m on weal th H eal th car e Cor por ation Im m u n ization Cl in ic staff an d Nor th er n M ar ian as Col l ege Nu r sin g Pr ogr am 2/ 14 H eal t h Covpar erticipan age ts

2/ 20 Fl u Vacci n at i on 2/ 28 Zu m ba Fi t n ess 3/ 07 Com m u n i cat i on Sk i l l s 3/ 14 St ay w el l I n su r an ce 3/ 21 Com p u t er Tr ai n i n g 3/ 28 Yoga 4/ 04 H eal t h y Cook i n g 4/ 11 Com p u t er / i Pad Tr ai n i n g 4/ 25 Pi l at es erCastr Tr oaibrnaves ing Ch5/ ief02 Ju sticeCom Al exanpdruotC. th e in fl u en za (fl u ) sh ot.h i n g 5/ 09 Rel ax at i on & Br eat 5/ 16 Cr ossf i t 5/ 23 Ap p eal s Pr ocess 5/ 30 Team Bu i l d i n g I I 6/ 06 Cou r t Ru l es & Pr oced u r es 6/ 13 Ju ji t su Fi t n ess 6/ 20 Com p u t er / i Pad Tr ai n i n g

6/ 27 7/ 10 7/ 17 7/ 24 7/ 31 8/ 08 8/ 15 10/ 10 10/ 17 10/ 24 11/ 07 11/ 14 11/ 19 11/ 28 12/ 05 12/ 12 12/ 19 12/ 26

Food & N u t r i t i on Vi si on Scr een i n g Tai Ch i Com p u t er / i Pad Tr ai n i n g Fi r e Dr i l l Tel ep h on e Et i qu et t e Tel ep h on e Et i qu et t e M i cr osof t Ex cel I I Ti m ek eep er 's W or k sh op Food & N u t r i t i on Cou r t Ru l es & Pr oced u r es Ap p eal s Tr ai n i n g Th an k sgi v i n g L u n ch eon H eal t h I n su r an ce Sw eet Tr eat s Or n am en t Ex ch an ge Sw eet Tr eat s W or k ou t Sessi on

Michael A. Stanker, Executive Director

The Commission?s biggest projects in 2014 related to its website, www.cnmilaw.org, and because of these endeavors, the site experienced a sustained thirty-three percent increase in use over 2013 levels. The Commission brought the online Commonwealth Code and Administrative Code, initially launched at the end of 2013, fully up-to-date in early 2014, and kept them updated on a monthly basis throughout the year. This marks the first time in the Commonwealth?s history that the Commission constantly updated the statutory laws and administrative regulations. (scroll) In addition to the online codes, the Commission released on its website Commonwealth Supreme Court opinions from 1989 through 1996 and the entire Commonwealth

Associate Judge Teresa K. Kim-Tenorio is surrounded by her family as the late Governor Eloy S. Inos administers the Oath of Office. From left: son Sunjoon Perry, Governor Inos, Judge Kim-Tenorio, son Pedro, mother Jin, and husband Perry.

associatejudgeteresak.Kim-tenorio

nmitoestablishdrugcourt

Committee members (counterclockwise from left): Ursula Lifoifoi-Aldan, Jennifer Dockter, Joe Saurus, Reyna Saurus, Gil Birnbrich, Joseph Villagomez, Margo Brown, Brian Flaherty, Doug Hartig, Herbert Sablan, Chief Justice Castro and Judge David A. Wiseman

MAY1ST LAWDAY

Envisioned in 1 Charles S. Rhyne the country?s com Day was estab Eisenhower the f joint resolution in official Law Day.

The Judiciary cel presentations, co

In 2014, the Judiciary Summer Pre-Law Program provided fourteen participants with a three-week intensive legal study program with instructions from Professor Emeritus Robert J. Desiderio and Professor Rose Cuison Villazor, both of the University of California at Davis School of Law. This is the eighth time the Judiciary has hosted the program since the program?s inception in 1991. The program simulated the demands experienced by first-year law students, allowing participants to engage in two introductory law courses: Contracts and Property. In the legal writing and advocacy components of the program, participants wrote appellate briefs and argued a mock appeal before a panel of justices, judges, and attorneys. The curriculum also consisted of workshops explaining the law school application process and the Law School Admission Test.

The Summer Pre-law Program graduates include: Anthony H. Aguon, Carmen V. Borja, Tina R. Cruz, Sahjahan T. Hossain, Savana V. Manglona, Janina Maratita, Jaclyn T.

SUMMERPRE-LAWPRO G RAM

The program's curriculum included courses in contracts, Torts, legal research and writing, and LSAT prep.

Steering Committee Nicole M. Torres, Esq., Coordinator Catherine J. Cachero, Esq. Michael L. Ernest, Esq. Deborah E. Fisher, Esq. Joshua A. Hansen- King, Esq. Claire M. Kelleher- Smith, Esq. Lillian A. Tenorio, Esq. Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro Associate Justice John A. Manglona Associate Justice Perry B. Inos

GRADUATES 2014

2000

Anthony H. Aguon

Genevieve S. Cabrera

Carmen V. Borja

Elsie Dela Cruz

Tina R. Cruz

Vincent Dela Cruz

Sahjahan T. Hossain

Patrick V. Diaz

Savana V. Manglona

Michael N. Evangelista

Janina Maratita

Janet King

Susan S. Pascual

Raymond S. Masga

Gretchen A. Smith

Lynn Pangelinan

Christopher A. Tenorio

Andrew D. Salas

Angelina T. Tretnoff

Joey P. San Nicolas

Dan Ryan B. Tumaquip

Rosemond B. Santos

"The Summer Pre-Law ProgramAugustus helped develop D. Loste my Jacklyn T. Mendiola critical thinking skills and enabled me to focus on what's Eleanor Loste Maisie Lynn SN.now Mesngon important right - achieving academic success." Isaac Magofna Zalbert C. Carmen V.Palma Borja

Rachel M. Taimanao Pedro T. Untalan

2010

Chun-Lu Wang

Mary O. Deleon Guerrero Frances T. Demapan Aubry M. Hocog

1994

Jose P. Mafnas, Jr.

Aldred B. Ada

Oliver M. Manglona

Franklin R. Babauta

Christina Marie E. Sablan

Lucia Blanco-Maratita

Antonina A. Senchenko

Antonio S. Cabrera

Leila H.F. Staffler

John Oliver Gonzales

Eulalia S. Villagomez

Herman U. Hofschneider Cinta M. Kaipat Yvonne O. Powell

2005

Lillian A. Tenorio

Merced A. Ada

Alicia DLG. Tomokane

Michael T. Demapan

Francisco Tomokane

Leo Goode, Jr.

Daisy C. Villagomez

Ryan Kim

(scroll)

Dean A. Manglona

SUMMERPRE-LAWPRO G RAM

justicesandjudgesintheclassroom Conducted annually by the Commonwealth Judiciary and the United States District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands, the Justices and Judges in the Classroom is an interactive outreach program designed to educate our youth on the judicial system and its functions. The program has been in existence for over fifteen years.

During the program in 2014, justices and judges visited schools throughout the Commonwealth, helping students embrace the concepts of justice and responsibility, understand the (scroll)

Superior Court Chambers staff adorn the hallway with a Christmas village.

HustisiaHoliday Over the years, the judiciary staff sponsored the Sweet Treats events to bring holiday cheer to employees and patrons. Staff were encouraged to visit each division throughout the Guma' Hustisia to socialize. Some of the treats include a'hu, bunelos dagu, lantiyas, guzuriya, apple cider, gingerbread cookies.

To add to the festivities, school children and the Department of Public Safety staff were invited to sing Christmas carols in the Guma' Hustisia atrium for everyone to enjoy.

The Judiciar y

I n the News Retention Election Results In the November 4, 2014 general election, Justice John A. Manglona, Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja, and Judge Kenneth Govendo succesfully retained their seats by an overwhelming majority. Justice Manglona serves an additional term of eight years while Naraja and Govendo have six years.

(scroll)

Law Day - May 1st Q.

What is Law Day?

benchandbar

1989 Governor Pedro P. Tenorio signed Public Law 6-25, the Commonwealth Judicial Reorganization Act, which established the Commonwealth Supreme Court.

Jose S. Dela Cruz was sworn in as the first Chief Justice .

Ramon G. Villagomez and Jesus C. Borja were sworn in as Associate Justices.

1991

1997

The Supreme Court issued twenty-seven opinions.

House Legislat ive Init iat ive 10-3, which was approved by CNMI voters, established the two local courts as constitutional entities and set forth their respective jurisdictions under a unified judiciary system.

1993 Jesus C. Borja resigned as Associate Justice and was replaced by Pedro M. At alig.

Alexandro C. Cast ro was sworn in as Presiding Judge, and Edward Manibusan as an Associate Judge.

1994 Groundbreaking ceremony of the construction of the Guma' Hustisia.

1995

Virginia S. Onerheim became the first female judge of the Superior Court.

1998 Tinian Court house building completion.

Mart y W.K. Taylor became the second Chief Justice.

Timot hy H. Bellas was sworn in as an Associate Judge.

1996 Guma' Hust isia building completion.

Edward Manibusan was sworn in as Presiding Judge, and John A. Manglona and Juan T. Lizama as Associate Judges.

Alexandro C. Cast ro was sworn in as an Associate Justice.

Alexandro C. Cast ro was sworn in as an Associate Judge.

On November 14, 1989, the Suprem Court issues its first opinion, Tenorio v.

Superior Court .

1999 Miguel S. Demapan took his oath as the third Chief Justice.

2000 After serving two years as a judge, John A. Manglona was sworn in as an Associate Justice.

2001 Robert o C. Naraja and David A. W iseman were sworn in as Associate Judges.

2003 Kennet h L. Govendo and Ramona V. Manglona were sworn in as Associate Judges.

Robert o C. Naraja became the Presiding Judge.

2004 Chief Judge of t he U.S. Nint h Circuit Court of Appeals Mary M. Schroeder wit h Judge Ramona V. Manglona at the May 2004 Handover Ceremony marking the end of U.S. Ninth Circuit Court direct appellate review and the beginning of U.S. Supreme Court direct review of CNMI Supreme Court opinions.

The Judiciary launched the Law andthe Freshman Legislator program designed for legislators who are elected for the first time. The program is intended to give the new lawmakers an insight as to how the judiciary interprets and applies the law. Sitting justices and judges speak on topics such as the judicial system, the Covenant, the CNMI Constitution, and the United States Constitution. There is a presentation on statutory interpretation, as well as a roundtable discussion on certain issues that are of interest to the new lawmakers.

2005 Cent ron Hust isia building completion.

Former just ices Pedro M. At alig and Ramon G. Villagomez pass away.

2006 Implementation of electronic file and serve system.

Cent ron Hust isia groundbreaking ceremony in Sinapalo, Rota.

2008 Margaret M. Palacios, Director of Courts, retires.

2011

2012 Bernadit a A. Sablan, Clerk of the Superior Court, retired.

Miguel S. Demapan passes away six months after his retirement from the bench. He served the judiciary for twenty years.

Pat rick V. Diaz appointed Clerk of the Superior Court.

Tracy M. Guerrero appointed as Director of Courts.

Perry B. Inos was sworn in as an Associate Judge.

Joseph N. Camacho was sworn is as an Associate Judge. He replaced Judge Ramona V. Manglona who was appointed and confirmed as Chief Judge for the U.S. District Court for the NMI. The Nort hern Mariana Islands Judiciary: A Hist orical Overview book launch.

2009 CNMI Judicial Council was established.

Alexandro C. Cast ro took his oath as the fourth Chief Justice.

2013 Perry B. Inos was sworn in as an Associate Justice.

Teresa K. Kim-Tenorio ascends to the bench as an Associate Judge.

Mart y W.K. Taylor passes away.

2014 Chief Just ice Alexandro C.. Cast ro celebrated 25 years on the bench!

The CNMI Legislat ure passed and the governor signed Public Law 17-41, an act to empower and define the authority, duties and responsibilities of the judiciary branch?s Marshall Service Division.

In the November election, Justice John A. Manglona, Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja, and Judge Kenneth L. Govendo successfully retained their seats to serve another term on the bench.

SlideShow Scroll t hrough t he gallery t o see p hot os f rom 1989 t hrough 20 14.

20 14 m arks t he 25t h an n iversary sin ce t he est ab lishm en t of t he Com m on w ealt h of t he Nort hern Marian a I slan ds Sup rem e Court .

Contacts The Commonwealth Judiciary

Martha B. Mendiola Annual Report Project Coordinator Judicial Assistant to Associate Justice John A. Manglona

Guma Hustisia .Iimwal Aweewe . House of Justice P. O. Box 502165, Saipan, MP 96950 Phone: (670) 236-9800 Fax: (670) 236-9702 www.justice.gov.mp