_________________________________________
2021 An n ual Repor t
MakingProgress inYearTwoofthePandemic
Deputy Marshal Scottie Lee Aguon preparing to sanitize the Budget and Finance Office utilizing a portable UV equipment.
The 2021 Annual Report highlights the contributions and efforts of the Judiciary staff. Without them, none of the accomplishments mentioned throughout this report would have been possible. Despite dealing with the uncertainties brought on by the second year of the pandemic and being asked to take on additional duties to complete the homecoming to the Guma? Hustisia after two years of HVAC construction, our staff?s energy and outlook remained positive. This hard work and determination will surely lead to even more progress. Throughout this report, you will see the faces of the Judiciary.
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CONTENTS 5 6 8 12 13 14 22 28 20 32 34 36 44 49 56 60 65 65 68 74 79 84
Message from the Chief Justice Supreme Court Justices Supreme Court Law Clerks Supreme Court JAs Clerk of Court Office of General Counsel Superior Court Judges Superior Court Law Clerks Superior Court JAs Clerk of Court Drug Court Family Court Division Mental Health Court Docket Office of Adult Probation Supervision Administrative Offices Director of Courts Budget and Finance Office Commonwealth Recorder's Office Facilities Management Office Grants Management Office
90 98 105 112 115 129 131 133 136 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 147 148 150 151 153 155 159
Human Resources Office Information Systems Office Marshals Service Division Office of Procurement Pandemic Special Report Kotten Tinian Rota Centron Hustisia Law Revision Commission Strategic Planning Highlights Judicial Council Meeting Women's History Month Administrative Professionals Day Rotary Club Presentation Budget Session Presentation Law Week Proclamation Language Access Plan Cultural Day Judiciary Homecoming The Great Shake Out Law and the Freshman Legislator Professional Development Conference Appendix
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MESSAGE FROM CHIEF JUSTICE
ALEXANDRO C. CASTRO Two-Thousand Twenty-One was yet another year of uncertainty, and one marked by the continued disruption to normalcy that began in 2020. But just like in 2020, the people of the CNMI rose to the occasion and persevered, despite the spread of COVID-19 in the community the latter half of the year. Even though Judiciary staff was facing this uncertainty in their daily lives, they continued to diligently report to work and serve court patrons and litigants to the best of their abilities. It can truly be said that the Judiciary evolved, adapted, and found new effective ways to provide access to justice. In 2021, the Judiciary was fortunate enough to receive approximately $13 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding. The Judiciary extends its gratitude to Governor Ralph DLG. Torres for generously providing such funding to allow the Judiciary to operate at full capacity, especially in light of the budget shortfall brought on by the pandemic. This was an unprecedented amount of money that the CNMI received, and the Judiciary is truly grateful for the receipt of such funds. This funding allowed the courthouses on all three islands to remain open, provide jobs to Judiciary staff, and implement new technology in every courtroom and division. Throughout the year, judges and justices were able to conduct hearings virtually, while staff was able to work remotely. This pandemic has been a disruption, but it has also driven the Judiciary to explore efficient practices and expand services. Since 2020, the pandemic has taken a great toll on people?s mental health and well-being across the world. In response to this, the Judiciary established the Mental Health Court Docket in July 2021, bringing together criminal justice agencies and mental health professionals to identify and treat participants with serious mental illness. These new practices and innovations will continue post-pandemic and were made possible through the hard work and dedicated employees within the court system. Additionally, the HVAC and mold remediation project finally came to a finish. Since 2018, judicial services have been spread thin across various remote worksites across Saipan. The United States District Court for the NMI was gracious enough to allow hearings and trials to take place, while division offices were relocated to the Marianas Business Plaza and other worksites. The Judiciary is finally back home at the Guma?Hustisia. Despite all these struggles, the Judiciary remains adaptable, resilient, and strong. It?s been said before, but the Judiciary will continue to view hardships as opportunities to better serve the CNMI and expand judicial services. Si Yu?us Ma?ase for all those who contributed to these efforts.
Th e Su pr em e Cou r t
THE T HREE JUSTICE
JUSTICE JOHN A. M ANGLONA , CHIEF JUSTIC
CES OF THE
2021 An n u al Repor t | 7
"The Commonwealth supreme court shall hear appeals from final judgments and orders of the Commonwealth superior court. The supreme court shall have all inherent powers, including the power to issue all writs necessary to the complete exercise of its duties and jurisdiction under this constitution and the laws of the Commonwealth. The supreme court shall consist of a chief justice and at least two associate justices. The Legislature may increase the number of justices when necessary." NMI CONST. art. IV, § 3
SUPREME COURT
CE A LEXANDRO C. CASTRO AND JUSTICE PERRY B. I NOS
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JUSTICE JOHN A. M ANGLONA
CHIEF JUSTICE A LEXANDRO C. CASTRO JUSTICE PERRY B. I NOS
The Supreme Court held its appellate session at Kotten Tinian on October 29, 2021.
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C H I E F JU ST I C E A L E X A N D R O C . C A ST R O Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro was appointed by Governor Benigno R. Fitial on September 13, 2012, and became the fourth Chief Justice of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands upon his confirmation by the Senate on October 11, 2012. He serves as a justice pro tem of the Supreme Court of Guam and a non-resident Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Palau. Chief Justice Castro served as an Associate Justice of the CNMI Supreme Court (1998-2012); Presiding Judge of the CNMI Superior Court (1993-1998); and Associate Judge of the Commonwealth Trial Court (1989-1993). He became the first indigenous CNMI Attorney General in 1986 after serving as the Chief Prosecutor (1983-1986). He is the founding father of the Attorney General?s Cup Speech Competition, an annual event in which high school students from Rota, Tinian, and Saipan debate a current legal issue facing the CNMI. He is admitted to practice law in the U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; U.S. District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands; CNMI Courts, and the Courts of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (as a paralegal). Chief Justice Castro graduated from the Faculty of Law, University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) in 1989, a British-oriented law school. While in law school, he represented UPNG in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition in Washington, D.C., United States. He is married to Carmen Moses of Angaur, Palau, and he is blessed with six children (Patrick, Yvonne, +Eric, Junior, Rodney, and Ariel).
A SSO C I A T E JU ST I C E JO H N A . M A N G L O N A The Honorable John A. Manglona has been a justice for over 20 years. Governor Pedro P. Tenorio initially appointed him in 2000, and the CNMI Senate unanimously confirmed the appointment. Justice Manglona successfully underwent two retention elections to serve eight-year terms. Justice Manglona served as an Associate Judge in the Superior Court from 1998 to 2000. While serving as a judge, he was also nominated by Guam Governor Carl T.C. Gutierrez to serve as a Designated Justice of the Guam Supreme Court for a term of four years. The Guam Legislature unanimously confirmed the nomination. He continues to assist the Guam Supreme Court as a justice pro tem. Justice Manglona, born on Rota, attended Guam Catholic schools and graduated from Father Duenas Memorial School. He received his B.A. in Political Economy from the University of California, Berkeley. He graduated from Creighton University School of Law (J.D.) and the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law (LL.M. in Taxation). Prior to his appointment to the bench, Justice Manglona was in private practice focusing on probate, corporations, tax, and real property transactions. He actively participates in the Judiciary?s outreach programs such as the Law and the Freshman Legislator, High School Mock Trial, Justices in the Classroom and Law Week. He volunteered for many years with National Forensics League, National Speech and Debate and We the People programs as a competition coach or judge. Justice Manglona is married to U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona, and they are blessed with two children.
A SSO C I A T E JU ST I C E P E R R Y B . I N O S Justice Perry Borja Inos ascended to the Supreme Court as an Associate Justice in 2013 after serving as an Associate Judge on the Superior Court since 2008. Governor Benigno R. Fitial appointed him to both courts. Justice Inos successfully underwent retention elections in 2012 and 2020. Born on Saipan, he attended the Public School System and graduated from Rota High School. Justice Inos graduated from the University of Guam with a B.B.A. in Management. After receiving his Juris Doctor degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law, he worked for the Office of the Attorney General, Law Office of John A. Manglona, and as a solo practitioner before ascending to the bench. Justice Inos participates in the Judiciary?s various outreach programs and the Pacific Judicial Council?s education committee and assists the Guam Supreme Court as justice pro tem when designated. He volunteers in the community as a member of the Rotary Club of Saipan. He is married to Debra A. Inos, and they have three children.
SUPREM E
LAW CLERKS & JUD
Front: Justice Perry B. Inos, Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro, and Justice John A. Manglona Middle: Judicial Assistant Ignatia C. Aldan (Justice Inos), Chamber Administrator Irene T. San Ni Back: Law Clerk Keith H. Ketola (Justice Manglona), Law Clerk Benjamin S. Schwartz (Justice Ino
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E COURT
DICIAL ASSISTANTS
icolas (Chief Justice Castro), and Judicial Assistant Josephine N. Estrada (Justice Manglona) os), Law Clerk Mary E. Novakovic (Chief Justice Casro)
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M A RY E . N O VA K O V I C Law Clerk to Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro Mary Novakovic began clerking for Chief Justice Castro in August 2021. She is from Toledo, Ohio. She went to Wittenberg University for college and the University of Michigan for her Master's degree in Japanese Studies. She attended the University of Michigan Law School. She is fluent in Japanese. In her spare time, she enjoys watching musicals, weight training, and befriending stray cats she finds around Saipan.
K E I T H H . K E TO L A Law Clerk to Justice John A. Manglona Keith began clerking for Justice Mangona in September 2021. Keith Ketola grew up in Independence, Minnesota, which is a small town near Minneapolis. He went to Orono High School, St. Olaf College (also in Minnesota), and the University of Michigan for law school. Keith enjoys running, hiking, martial arts, and playing guitar.
B E N J A M I N S . S C H WA R T Z Law Clerk to Justice Perry B. Inos Benjamin Schwartz began clerking for Justice Perry B. Inos in September 2021. He was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. While studying political science at the University of California, Berkeley, he completed internships with the State Department in Greece and Myanmar. Following graduation, Ben taught English for two years in Japan. While studying law at the University of Michigan, he completed two internships with the Department of Homeland Security and represented victims of human trafficking and other indigent clients at university clinics. In his spare time, Ben plays Dungeons and Dragons, reads history books, and watches Netflix.
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I R E N E T. S A N N I C O L A S Chamber Administrator/Judicial Assistant to Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro Irene San Nicolas graduated from Mt. Carmel High School and attended Hawaii Pacific College to pursue a degree in Business Management. She began her career in the Supreme Court on April 10, 1995. Irene is a jack-of-all-trades and has taken on many positions in the Judiciary: Secretary, Judicial Assistant, and Chamber Administrator. She served three Supreme Court Chief Justices before Chief Justice Castro: Chief Justices Jose S. Dela Cruz, Marty W.K. Taylor, and Miguel S. Demapan. She is happily married for 43 years to her high school sweetheart, Gil M. San Nicolas, and is blessed with three beautiful children and 13 beautiful grandchildren.
J OSEPHINE N. ESTRA DA Judicial Assistant to Justice John A. Manglona Josephine Estrada started at the Office of Adult Probation as an office clerk while she was working towards her associate's degree in Criminal Justice from the Northern Marianas College, where she graduated summa cum laude in 2018. Josephine then received her bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice in May 2021 from both the University of Guam and Northern Marianas College through the NMC-UOG 3+1 Program. She started her career in the Supreme Court as a CARES Act Administrative Officer before becoming a Judicial Assistant in April 2021. Josephine is exploring the idea of getting a Juris Doctor. In her spare time, she enjoys singing and spending time with her dog, Mocha.
I G N AT I A C . A L D A N Judicial Assistant to Justice Perry B. Inos Ignatia Aldan graduated from Mt. Carmel High School and began her career in the Judiciary on December 19, 2011 as then-Judge Perry B. Inos' Judicial Assistant. On March 8, 2013, when Justice Inos ascended to the Supreme Court, she remained his Judicial Assistant. Ignatia worked for 5 1/2 years before resigning to care for her uncle. She then returned to her position as Judicial Assistant to Justice Inos on February 14, 2021. Ignatia is happily married and blessed with four children, one stepson, and four grandchildren. Her hobbies include listening to music and playing with her grandchildren.
Su pr em e Cou r t Cl er k 's Office
Dep. Clerk of Court Nora V. Borja, NMC Extern Art Q. Castillo, and Clerk of Court Judy T. Aldan
I N T ERN A L OPERAT I N G PROCEDU RES The Office of the Clerk of the Supreme Court (OCSC) revised and updated its Internal Operating Procedure, effective October 27, 2021
PER SO N N EL The OCSC, in partnership with Northern Marianas College, had one extern for Fall 2021 semester. Extern Art Castillo was instrumental in auditing and scanning cases spanning more than ten years. Art also observed hearings in the Superior Court, performed research and compiled biographies on past Supreme Court justices, and participated in Professional Development workshops and seminars. In December 2021, Leonora Vergara joined the OCSC as a full time scanning clerk. She is responsible for scanning and auditing Supreme Court cases and Bar Admission files. In 2021, Lenora scanned over 2,000 pages. In December 2021, Chamber Administrator Irene San Nicolas was appointed Special Deputy Clerk of the Supreme Court to assist the office when the need arises.
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OFFI CE In Summer 2021, completion of the Guma' Hustisia's HVAC system allowed the OCSC to return to its ground floor offices after months of teleworking from home.
RECORDS On January 14, 2021, the Marshals Division transported 16 boxes of confidential court materials belonging to the OCSC to the landfill for disposal and stood as witness to ensure a safe and confidential disposal. With the help of the Office of Probation and Drug Court, the OCSC moved all hard copies of records and Bar Admissions materials from Guma? Hustisia into Unit 6 of the JCT II Bldg; this amounted to approximately 26 file cabinets and 20 boxes. Currently housed at Unit 6 are over 25 file cabinets of materials that need to be audited and scanned. All appellate case files have been audited and scanned, with only Bar Admissions and disciplinary files remaining in the digitization project. The cassette tape digitization is also underway.
ORA L A RG U M EN T S
Every year, the Supreme Court conducts quarterly appellate sessions. Prior to these sessions, both parties submit written arguments, which are formally known as ?briefs.? These briefs request the Supreme Court to examine the trial court?s decision for errors made during legal analysis or during the fact-finding process. A panel of three justices or a justice pro tempore examines the brief, researches the issues raised, and formulates questions to be asked during the oral argument. Oral arguments are held after all briefs have been submitted. Parties explain their written arguments and take questions from the panel in a span of 25 minutes. During this time, parties raise factual issues and cite law to the panel in order to elucidate their arguments. Oral arguments are generally held in the Supreme Court courtroom, but may also take place on Rota Centron Hustisia, Kotten Tinian, and other public venues. This year, oral arguments were conducted at Kotten Tinian and the Man Amko?Center on Saipan.
The Supreme Court conducts Oral Arguments at the Manamko' Center in Antonia DLG. Villagomez, Edward Manibusan, et al., v. MarianasInsurance Co., Ltd. (October 2021)
Michael Dotts, Esq. presenting his arguments at Kotten Tinian in RNV Construction v. GPPC, Inc. (October 2021)
.
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Table 1: Fourth Quarter Oral Arguments--Outreach at Manamko' Center and Kotten Tinian Case Name:
Case File:
Dat e:
Villagomez v. Marianas Insurance Co., Ltd.
2021-SCC-0003-CIV; 2021-SCC-0004-CIV
October 19, 2021
RNV Construction v. GPPC, Inc.
2021-SCC-0009-CIV
October 29, 2021
Once oral arguments are completed, the justices deliberate and decide on the case presented. The decision is presented as a written opinion that is then published online for immediate public access. The opinion can be found on the Law Revision Commission?s website, www.cnmilaw.org. The Court hears a number of appeals on a wide set of issues. In 2021, the Court rendered the following opinions and dispositions:
Table 2: Opinions Published by the Supreme Court Case Name:
Case File:
Decided:
In Re Guerrero
2021-MP-01
01/02/2021
Bowie v. Commonwealth
2021-MP-02
01/20/2021
In Re Estate of Roberto
2021-MP-03
01/29/2021
Manglona v. Torres
2021-MP-04
02/15/2021
PRC, LLC v. Globuil Resort
2021-MP-05
02/18/2021
Commonwealth v. Sheng
2021-MP-06
03/19/2021
NMHC v. Bank Pacific, Ltd.
2021-MP-07
04/02/2021
Luan v. PRMC
2021-MP-08
04/21/2021
Claasens v. CHCC
2021-MP-09
08/02/2021
Pangelinan v. Pangelinan
2021-MP-10
02/25/2021
In Re Pangelinan
2021-MP-11
12/03/2021
Villagomez v. Marianas Insurance Co., LTD.,
2021-MP-12
12/22/2021
RNV Constr. v. GPPC Inc.,
2021-MP-13
12/30/2021
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Table 3: Dispositions Published by the Supreme Court Case Name:
Case File:
St at us:
In the Matter of Stephen C. Woodruff
2021-SCC-0001-PET
Granted Sept. 30, 2021
In re Commonwealth v. CNMI Superior Court and Lucas T. Manglona and Queena O.
2021-SCC-0008-PET
Voluntary Dismissal May 7, 2021
IMO The Estate of Juan Saramina Teigita and Mariana Kani-Teigita v. IMO The Estate of Jose Rapugau Kani
2021-SCC-0011-CIV
Dismissal Oct. 20, 2021
IMO The Estate of Edward C. Arriola
2020-SCC-0015-CIV
Dismissal Sep. 2, 2021
In Re John Sablan Pangelinan
2021-SCC-0019-PET
Stayed Dec. 3, 2021
Pangelinan v. Pangelinan
2021-SCC-0020-CIV
Dismissed Dec. 3, 2021
Table 4: New Cases Received by the Supreme Court Case Name:
Case File:
IMO Stephen C. Woodruff
2021-SCC-0001-PET
In re Commonwealth v. CNMI Superior Court and Sheng
2021-SCC-0002-PET
Antonio DLG Villagomez, et. al.v. Marianas Insurance Co., Ltd
| 2021-SCC-0003-CIV
Antonio DLG Villagomez, et. al.v. Marianas Insurance Co., Ltd.
2021-SCC-0004-CIV
Ricardo E. Antonio, et. al. v. Haeng C. Baek
2021-SCC-0006-CIV
Anthony Rios v. Commonwealth Department of Correction, and Wally Villagomez, in his official capacity as the Commissioner of the Commonwealth Department of Correction
2021-SCC-0007-CIV
In re Commonwealth v. CNMI Superior Court and Lucas Taitano Manglona and Queena Ogumoro Fitial
| 2021-SCC-0008-PET
RNV Construction v. GPPC, Inc.
2021-SCC-0009-CIV
Estates of Juan Saramina Teigita and Mariana Kai-Teigita v. Estate of Jose Rapugau Kani
2021-SCC-0011-CIV
Joseph A. Crisostomo v. CNMI Department of Correction, and Wally Villagomez, in his official capacity as the Commissioner of DOC
2021-SCC-0015-CIV
Commonwealth v. Kenneth Thomas B. Kaipat
2021-SCC-0016-CRM
Teodoro I. Albia v. George C. Duenas
2021-SCC-0017-CIV
Rebecca C. White v. Joaquin T. Camacho
2021-SCC-0018-FAM
In re John Sablan Pangelinan
2021-SCC-0019-PET
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BAR M ATTERS Shuoqiu ?Owen? Lin took the February 2021 Bar exam and passed. He was admitted on April 7, 2021. Two regular applicants took the July 2021 CNMI Bar Exam and passed. Six attorneys were admitted Pro Hac Vice in 2021. See Table 5: Pro Hac Vice Admissions.
Table 5: Pro Hac Vice Admissions Name
Case Number
Dat e Admit t ed
Dat e Expired
David C. Veis for Superior Court Case No. 16-0169
2021-SCC-0005-PHV
March 1, 2021
February 28, 2022
Steve W. Bermin, Esq. for Superior Court Case No.
2021-SCC-0010-PHV
June 10, 2021
June 9, 2022
Daniel H. Weiner for Superior Court Case No.
2021-SCC-0012-PHV
July 7, 2021
July 6, 202
Kevin T. Abikoff for Superior Court Case No. 21-0173
2021-SCC-0013-PHV
July 7, 2021
July 6, 2022
Julian Brew for Superior Court Case No. 09-0467
2021-SCC-0014-PHV
August 4, 2021
August 3, 2022
Wilhelm Dingler for Superior Court Case No. 19-0266
2021-SCC-0022-PHV
November 10, 2021
November 9, 2022
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COURT RUL ES
Table 6: Rules Adopted Rule Number
Tit le
Dat e
2021-ADM-0004-RUL
In re Judiciary Order Rescinding Sexual Harassment Policy
Issued April 16, 2021
2021-ADM-0005-RUL
In re NMI Judiciary Rules of Electronic Recordation (Interim Order)
Adopted April 19, 2021
2021-ADM-0007-RUL
In re NMI Judiciary Rules of Electronic Recordation
Adopted June 16, 2021
2021-ADM-0010-RUL
In re the Establishment of the Mental Health Court Docket
Issued June 30, 2021; Amendment No. 1 issued July 20, 2021
2021-ADM-0020-RUL
In re the NMI Rules of Alternative Dispute Resolution
Adopted December 13, 2021
2021-ADM-0023-RUL
In re the NMI Rules for Electronic Filing and Service
Adopted December 16, 2021
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A DM I N I ST R AT I V E OR DER S Table 7: Administrative Orders Issued Det ails In re Court Operations and Proceedings in Response to Novel In re Commonwealth Recorder?s Office
Order No. COVID-19 Order No. 10; 2021-ADM-0001-MSC 2021-ADM-0002-MSC
Dat e Effective Jan. 30-Mar. 26, 2021; Issued Jan. 28, 2021 Issued March 8, 2021
In re Court Operations and Proceedings in Response to Novel
COVID-19 Order No. 11; 2021-ADM-0003-MSC
Effective Mar. 27-Apr. 30, 2021; Issued March 25, 2021
In re Court Operations and Proceedings in Response to Novel Coronavirus Disease
COVID-19 Order No. 12 2021-ADM-0006-MSC
Effective May. 1-Jul. 2, 2021; Issued April 30, 2021
In re Membership of the CNMI Bar
2021-ADM-0008-MSC
Issued June 29, 2021
In re Court Operations and Proceedings in Response to Novel
COVID-19 Order No. 13; 2021-ADM-0009-MSC
In re the Establishment of the Office of
2021-ADM-0011-MSC
Effective Jul. 3-30, 2021; Issued June 29, 2021 Issued July 26, 2021
In re Court Operationsand Proceedings in Response to Novel CoronavirusDisease,
COVID-19 Order No. 14; 2021-ADM-0012-MSC
Effective Jul. 31-Oct. 1, 2021; Issued July 27, 2021
In re Court Operationsand Proceedings in Response to Novel CoronavirusDisease
COVID-19 Order No. 15; 2021-ADM-0013-MSC
Effective Oct. 2-Dec. 3 2021; Issued Sept. 28, 2021
In re the Matter of Courtroom Attire
2021-ADM-0014-MSC
Issued October 4, 2021
2022 Appellate Oral Argument Sessions
2021-ADM-0016-MSC
Issued October 14, 2021
In re COVID-19 Vaccination or Testing Requirement and Other Containment
2021-ADM-0017-MSC
Issued November 2, 2021
In re temporary Closure of Kotten Tinian
2021-ADM-0018-MSC
Issued November 30, 2021
In re Court Operationsand Proceedings in Response to Novel CoronavirusDisease
COVID-19 Order No. 16; 2021-ADM-0019-MSC
In re Temporary Closure of Guma?Hustisia
2021-ADM-0021-MSC
Effective Dec. 14-17, 2021; Issued December 13, 2021
In re the Appointment of Judge Pro Tempore Timothy H. Bellas, to sit on the
Civil Case No. 21-0333; 2021-ADM-0022-MSC
Issued December 15, 2021
In re: Case Certification (2017)
2021-ADM-0024-MSC
Issued December 16, 2021
In re Reporting Period for Continuing
2021-ADM-0025-MSC
Issued December 18, 2021
In re temporary Closure of Guma? Hustisia
2021-ADM-0026-MSC
Effective Dec. 20-23, 2021; Issued December 18, 2021
In re Case Certification (2018)
2021-ADM-0027-MSC
Issued December 28, 2021
In re Opinion Certification (2019)
2021-ADM-0028-MSC
Issued December 30, 2021
Effective Nov. 30, 2021-Jan. 7, 2022; Issued Nov. 30, 2021
Office of
Gen er al Cou n sel
From left: ARPA Paralegal Mary C. Glass, General Counsel Hyun Jae Lee, Deputy General Counsel Matthew Brown
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ESTABLISHMENT
The Office of General Counsel was newly established on July 26, 2021, via Supreme Court Order No. 2021-ADM-0011-MSC. Because it is a newly developed office, tracking of the office?s activities and progress have not been measured prior to its establishment. Accordingly, the above annual report does not track every single item supported, addressed,
and/or worked on by OGC. The report also does not include sensitive/confidential items due to attorney-client privilege reasons. It also does not track the scope and details of the work performed for the same reasons.
Supreme Court Order No. 2021-ADM-0011-MSC Establishing the Office of General Counsel
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DU T I ES A N D R ESP ON SI BI L I T I ES
The Office of General Counsel (?OGC?) oversees all legal matters of the Judiciary. Its responsibilities include providing legal advice on a wide variety of legal issues affecting court system and administration, such as state and federal compliance (including ADA, FLSA, FMLA, Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, EEOC laws); contract and grants management, procurement, capital improvements and personnel matters; researching and formulating legal opinions and making recommendations on a wide variety of legal concerns faced by and impacting the Judiciary and its officials and employees; reviewing court rules, ensuring legal sufficiency, and recommending changes, if any, to the
Supreme Court; reviewing and authoring court policies and procedures; researching and drafting legal memoranda and letters for the Office of Chief Justice and the Supreme Court; reviewing and standardizing legal forms for use by court officials and personnel; providing and reviewing the applicability of proposed and enacted local and federal legislation; conducting education and training programs for justices, judges, staff and the public on applicable local, federal, and Judiciary rules, policies, and regulations; assisting in judicial education and ethics; and providing support, oversight, and legal advice to Judiciary committees, task forces, and work groups.
M A JO R P R O JE C T S HVAC Upgrade and Mold Remediation under 20-61 In 2021, the Office reviewed and advised on the purpose, eligible uses, and restrictions of funds under PL 20-61; attended Committee meetings and meetings with vendors; prepared and/or reviewed contracts, change orders, letters, and purchase orders, provided legal advice on all stages of procurement; communicated/negotiated with vendors on contract issues; assisted in contract closing; and performed other duties, as assigned. Coronavirus Aid, Relief, Economic Security (?CARES?) Act The Office also reviewed and advised on the purpose, eligible uses, and restrictions of the CARES Act fund; provided updates on U.S. Treasury guidelines, rules, and regulations, conducted staff training; attended Committee meetings and regularly updated the group on the latest CARES Act news; reviewed and edited CARES Act reports; reviewed terms and conditions of the award; prepared contracts, reviewed purchase orders, conducted training on reporting requirements, authored forms for CARES Act employees, advised on work reporting and audit requirements; assisted in the drafting of spending plan; and performed other duties, as assigned.
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AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT
ARPA Paralegal Mary Bernadette C. Glassreportson the Judiciary Court FormsProject at the ARPA Committee Meeting. (December 9, 2021)
General Counsel Hyun Jae Lee, Deputy General Counsel Matthew J. Brown advise on ARPA guidelines to Justice John A. Manglona and Team.
ARPA
26 | 2021 An n u al Repor t
The Office of General Counsel held their weekly meeting via MS Teamsto addressaction itemsand report work progress
General Counsel Hyun Jae Lee and other court staff at NADCP Conference, Washington D.C. (August 18, 2021)
Judiciary meetswith Patrick Guerrero to discussthe remaining FEMA projectsfrom Super Typhoon Yutu, which includesthe Roof Tile Project and Elevator Projects. (January 26, 2021) From left: Director of CourtsSonia A Camacho Deputy General Counsel Matthew J. Brown, GrantsAdministrator Jim W. Stowell, General Counsel Hyun Jae Lee, Associate Judge Teresa K. Kim-Tenorio, GAR Patrick Guerrero, Associate Justice John A. Manglona
2021 An n u al Repor t | 27
HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICE 1. Reviewed and edited NOPA, fiscal impact worksheets, and employment contracts
8. Conducted LAPP Training for court interpreters 9. Conducted ADA Training
2. Reviewed JVAs and PDs, as requested
10. Conducted Anti-Bullying Policy Training
3. Provided advice on federal law affected by CARES and ARPA
11. Conducted Anti-Texting Policy Training
4. Drafted and/or reviewed HR memos 5. Conducted EEO Policy training and Non-Discrimination Policy training for leadership 6. Conducted training for NMI Judiciary Rules of Procurement
12. Breach of PII Policy Training 13. Conducted Training on UV equipment 14. Conducted Training re Supreme Court COVID-19 Order 15. Assisted with conducting interview of applicants
7. Assisted Judge Kim-Tenorio in re Strategic Goal No. 5
SUPERIOR COURT 1. Authored, revised, and reviewed Mental Health Court Docket Policies and Procedures and accompanying forms, advised of HIPAA and 2 CFR 42, attended NADCP training; provided recommendations to improve the docket, attended meetings with relevant stakeholders; researched on pre-adjudicatory process
4. Assisted Drug Court re BJA and other inquires related to Drug Court Program 5. Provided legal advice and guidance to all inquiries from divisions and judges, as requested 6. Drafted Probate and Small Claims Court forms for pro se litigants
2. Reviewed OAPS manual and SOP 3. Assisted judges regarding various inquiries MISCELLANEOUS
4. Drafted various demand letters
1. Resolved issues with OPA
5. Presented on Covenant during the Law and Freshman Legislature seminar
2. Drafted letters, memos, press release 3. Assisted the newly established CRO in their day-to-day activity by providing guidelines in accordance with the NMI Supreme Court Policies and Commonwealth Code
6. Performed other duties, as assigned 7. Attended weekly/periodic meetings for HVAC, CARES, ARPA, and FEMA
Deputy General Counsel Matthew J. Brown givesa presentation on the Covenant to freshman legislator Corina L. Magofna. (October 22, 2021)
Th e Su per ior Cou r t Kotten Tinian courtroom
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T HE FIVE JUDGES OF THE SUPERIOR COURT
PRESIDING JUDGE ROBERTO C. NARAJA was born on July 17, 1955 in Saipan. He received his B.S. in Political Science from California Lutheran College in 1979 and graduated with his Juris Doctor from Gonzaga University School of Law in 1982. After receiving his law degree, Presiding Judge Naraja served as Assistant Legal Counsel to the CNMI Resident Representative to Washington, D.C. He subsequently worked as an Assistant Public Defender and then as an Assistant Attorney General. Presiding Judge Naraja has served as both the Chief Public Defender and the Attorney General. Thereafter, Presiding Judge Naraja ventured into private practice establishing his own law firm.
of Toledo College of Law. After law school, Judge Govendo became a general practitioner in Redondo Beach, California, and worked part-time as a senior staff attorney for the Legal Aid Foundation of the South Bar Association. He served as District Attorney in Palau and as Assistant Attorney General on Saipan during the Trust Territory period. He also served as Assistant Legislative Counsel for the Fifth Northern Marianas District Legislature and was legal counsel for the Department of Natural Resources, Board of Elections, and Civil Service Commission.
JUDGE JOSEPH N. CAMACHO is a proud JUDGE KENNETH L. GOVENDO was born in Syracuse, New York on January 28, 1945. In 1966, he graduated with his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Alfred University in Alfred, New York. In 1969, he obtained his Juris Doctor from the University
graduate of the Northern Marianas College, where he received his Associate of Arts degree. He went on to obtain a Bachelor of Arts in History from San Jose State University, a Masters of Public Administration from Seattle University, and a Juris Doctor from
2021 An n u al Repor t | 31 "The Commonwealth superior court shall have original jurisdiction in all cases in equity and at law. The court shall also have original jurisdiction in all criminal actions ... The superior court shall consist of a presiding judge and at least four associate judges. At least one full-time judge shall be assigned to civil and criminal actions filed in Rota and one in Tinian..." CNMI Constitution Art. IV, Section 2
Gonzaga University School of Law. Judge Camacho served as a prosecutor for the CNMI Office of the Attorney General before establishing his own law firm with his wife, who is also an attorney. He was admitted to practice law in the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the U.S. District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Commonwealth Courts.
In 2015, Judge Kim-Tenorio actively participated alongside other justice professionals in the implementation of the first ever NMI Drug Court program. She oversees the program as the initial Drug Court judge.
JUDGE WESLEY M. BOGDAN ascended to the JUDGE TERESA K. KIM-TENORIO ascended to the bench on December 22, 2013. In 1997, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. In 2001, she graduated from New England School of Law with her Juris Doctor degree. Judge Kim-Tenorio is licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan, the Northern Mariana Islands, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, the United States District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands, and the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.
bench in November 2017. He worked as legal counsel and senior policy advisor in both the Office of the Lt. Governor and Office of the Governor during Governor Eloy Inos and Governor Ralph Torres?Administrations. Judge Bogdan grew up in New Mexico and received his B.A. degree from the University of Texas (Austin). He then attended law school and obtained a Juris Doctor from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 1992.
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SUPERIOR COURT
LAW CLERKS
- From left: Law Clerk Brian "Jack" Robinson (Judge Bodgan), Law Clerk Rellani Ogumoro (Judge Govendo), Special Assistant to the Presiding Judge Rochelle L. Vazquez, Law Clerk Tina Ngo ( Presiding Judge Naraja), Law Clerk Branwen Francis (Judge Camacho), and Law Clerk Gregory Cenac (Judge Kim-Tenorio). Right: Law Clerk Robert Edward Mang III (Presiding Judge Naraja)
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TINA NGO Law Clerk to PRESIDING JUDGE ROBERTO C. NARAJA Tina Ngo earned her J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and her B.A., summa cum laude, from the University of California, Berkeley. Prior to joining the CNMI Judiciary, Tina worked as a litigation associate in the San Francisco offices of Alston & Bird LLP and Baker Botts LLP, where she focused on a broad range of civil litigation matters including antitrust and intellectual property. Prior to that, she worked as a judicial extern for the United States District Court, Northern District of California. Tina served as the Vice President of the Vietnamese American Bar Association of Northern California in 2021 and 2020. In 2018, she was named ?Outstanding Volunteer? by the Bar Association of San Francisco for her commitment to pro bono work.
REL L A NI O G U M O R O Law Clerk to JUDGE KENNETH L. GOVENDO Rellani Ogumoro has been Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo?s law clerk since October 2020. Ms. Ogumoro is a Saipan native and obtained her Bachelor of Science in Anthropology/Sociology and minor in Gender Studies from Eastern Oregon University where she was named a 2011 Truman Scholar. Before law school, Ms. Ogumoro worked at the U.S. Department of Interior and as a policy advisor under the Special Assistant to the President?Native American Affairs in the President Obama White House. Ms. Ogumoro then went to Arizona State University Sandra Day O?Connor College of Law for her Juris Doctor with a Certificate in the Indian Legal Program.
B RA NWEN FRA NCIS Law Clerk to JUDGE JOSEPH N. CAMACHO Branwen Francis is from Los Angeles, California. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of British Columbia and her LL.M. from University of California- Los Angeles. She clerked for Associate Judge Camacho for one year, starting in February 2021. Branwen is very proud to be a graduate of Cohort 3 of 500 Sails?Lalåyak program and a part of 500 Sails' Famalao'an Lalaåyak program.
GREGORY CENA C Law Clerk to JUDGE TERESA K. KIM-TENORIO Greg Cenac received his undergraduate degree in International Affairs from the University of Colorado. He then earned his Juris Doctor from the George Washington University Law School and his L.L.M. in Admiralty and Maritime Law from Tulane University Law School. He is currently licensed to practice law in Colorado and the CNMI.
B RIA N " J A CK " ROB INSON Law Clerk to JUDGE WESLEY M. BOGDAN Brian "Jack" Robinson received his undergraduate degree in political science and classical studies from Bucknell University in 2017. He then earned his Juris Doctor from Boston University School of Law in 2020 and began his clerkship at the CNMI Superior Court on January 2021.
R O B E R T E D W A R D M A N G III Former Law clerk to PRESIDING JUDGE ROBERTO C. NARAJA Robert Mang grew up both in Washington D.C. and Maryland. He went to the University of Maryland, College Park for undergrad and George Washington University Law School for his Juris Doctor. Robert clerked for Presiding Judge Naraja from October 2020 to October 2021. He has ran four marathons, photographed 130 weddings, and does not like mashed potatoes.
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SUPERIOR COURT
JUDICIAL ASSISTANTS
From left: Judicial Assistant Rebecca R. Santos (Judge Govendo), Judicial Assistant Sabrina Lynn Dela Cruz (Judge Kim-Tenorio), Chamber Administrator and Judicial Assistant Rose Lynette M. Camacho (Presiding Judge Naraja), Judicial Assistant Vivian S. Dela Cruz (Judge Bogdan), and Judicial Assistant Delia S. Magofna (Judge Camacho)
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ROSE LYNETTE M. CA MA CH O Chamber Administrator/Judicial Assistant to Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja Rose Lynette M. Camacho began her career at the Judiciary as a Publications Clerk for the Law Revision Commission in June 1996. In 1997, she became the Executive Secretary to the former Director of Courts. In 2000, she began working for Japan Airlines and traveled to parts of Asia. In 2003, she returned to government service where she worked as an Administrative Officer for the Office of the Public Auditor for six years. Lynette's heart truly belonged to the Judiciary as she found her way back in 2009 and worked as an Assistant Clerk of Court for the Supreme Court. In 2012, she accepted a secretarial/judicial assistant position with the Chambers of Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja, and later became his Chamber Administrator, her current position. Lynette is happily married to Gary P. Camacho. She is blessed with three children, a grandson, two reared children, and a reared grandchild. She dedicates a lot of her time to her childhood parish, St. Jude Church, as the Art & Environment Director and participates in the lector/commentator ministry when needed. Her hobbies include cooking, decorating, and spending time with family and friends.
REB ECCA R. SA NTOS Judicial Assistant to Judge Kenneth L. Govendo Rebecca "Becky" R. Santos joined the Superior Court in 2012, as a Judicial Assistant to Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo. During her tenure with the Superior Court, she received the Presiding Judge Employee of the Year Award in 2019. In addition, she also served as the Acting Commonwealth Recorder at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and still carries on this additional role when needed. Because of her commitment, she received the Commonwealth Recorder?s Office Employee of the Year Award in 2021. When asked, "What's next for you, Ms. Becky?" She replies, "I'm not going anywhere; I've built great working relationships with some amazing people in the Judiciary, and they recognize me for my dedication and professionalism. I have gained so much knowledge and experience, established meaningful connections and friendships with my co-workers, as well as been through many challenging situations, and at the end of the day. I'm still standing."
DEL IA S. MA GOFNA Judicial Assistant to Judge Joseph N. Camacho Before becoming a judicial assistant, Delia S. Magofna worked as a Deputy Clerk I for two years. She also serves as the primary timekeeper for the Superior Court. Prior to working at the CNMI Superior Court, Magofna worked as a legal secretary/legal assistant for Calvo, Fisher & Jacob LLP for 13 years, culminating in over 23 years of experience in the legal field.
SA B RINA LYNN DEL A CRUZ Judicial Assistant to Judge Teresa K. Kim-Tenorio Sabrina Dela Cruz graduated from Kagman High School in 2006 and began her career at the Judiciary in September 2009. She was hired as a scanning clerk under the ARRA Grant for 3 years and as Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo's Deputy Clerk I for 8 years. Sabrina was reassigned to clerk for Judge Kim-Tenorio as a Family Court clerk and then applied for the Drug Court Deputy Clerk II position in 2020. After three months, she was hired as the Judicial Assistant to Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio. Sabrina has three wonderful children and one on the way and enjoys dancing, going to the beach, and spending time with family and friends.
VIVIA N S. DEL A CRUZ Judicial Assistant to Judge Wesley M. Bogdan Vivian Dela Cruz served as a Judicial Assistant for Judge David A. Wiseman from March 2001 to May 2016. After Judge Wiseman's retirement from the bench, Ms. Dela Cruz became the Judicial Assistant for Associate Judge Wesley M. Bogdan in August 2016. Prior to working for the Judiciary, she worked at the Law Offices of David A. Wiseman from 1984 through March 2001 and was certified on May 1, 2007 as a Trial Court Transcriptionist. She was later sworn in as a Special Deputy Clerk on June 1, 2007 and appointed by Chief Justice Castro as the LEP Coordinator on March 9, 2016.
Su per ior Cou r t Cl er k of Cou r t
Front: Lana Togawa, Rosie T. Ada, Novelyn Wania-Tenorio, Adeline Tereyama and Micca King. second row: Christine Cabrera, Joann Pangilinan, Daisy Mendiola, Eva P. Calvo and Okalani Shiprit Back: Mark Hidalgo, Patrick Diaz and Elvira Manglona
Super typhoons and pandemic challenges required us to operate a court system on the go and make changes as we moved forward to ensure that judicial services are provided to the people. Moving office space, relocating case files to alternative sites, and cleaning out office space at the Guma' Hustisia to enable the mold remediation team were significant challenges. Inordinate amount of work hours were required to relocate equipment, court files, and personnel work stations in order for court operations to continue. However, 2021 was very promising for the Office of the Clerk of Court and the Judiciary as a whole as we moved back to the Guma?Hustisia.
Horiguchi Building: Alternate Site Courtroom 1A
Horiguchi Building: Alternate Site Courtroom 3A
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Office of the Clerk of Court
The Supreme Courtroom at Rota Centron Hustisia served as files storage transition area in the ongoing scanning project.
N ORM AL I ZI N G OPERATI ON S In the weekly HVAC and Mold Remediation meetings, progress continued to be reported. In early 2021 we saw the temporary opening of Courtroom 202 and Courtroom 205. The two additional courtrooms made it a little easier to manage the scheduling of court hearings for the five judges. Although access to Guma' Hustisia was still limited, we continued to see progress at a steady pace. In July, the Office of the Clerk of Court gradually returned to the Guma' Hustisia. New furniture and equipment were installed including a mobile rolling rack filing system, work stations. By Mid-August 2021, all the clerk staff moved in and settled in their respective work stations.
M ARI AN AS BUSI N ESS PL AZA The Marianas Business Plaza lease expired on August 8, 2021. All judiciary equipment and furniture were cleared out, the space was cleaned, and court files were loaded into a 40-foot container and shipped to Rota. The Office of the Clerk of Court was operating from the Marianas Business Plaza since November 2019.
Furniture and fixtures were surveyed under Procurement Rules and later distributed to other government agencies.
The temporary Cashier Station at Marianas Business Plaza served thousands of court patrons while the HVAC system underwent replacement at the Guma' Hustisia.
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COURT FI L ES REL OCATI ON PROJECT In 2021, we procured the services of Cargo Express to ship 370 banker boxes of court files to Rota along with 29 metal shelves. The cargo left Saipan on August 17, 2021 and arrived on Rota on August 24, 2021. These were the last files to relocate to Rota. The next step of this project is to create a filing system so that case files can be easily accessible. Inventory and scanning of these case files will be an ongoing project for the coming years.
Centron Hustisia's Supreme Court courtroom serves as temporary quarters for case files
DOCUM EN T RETEN TI ON PROJECT: H I RI N G OF ADDI TI ON AL STAFF The document retention project has been ongoing for many years now. Although we had several major issues, the project continues, but at a much slower pace. Judicial leadership decided to hire additional staff on all three islands to assist with the project. In October 2021, we hired two scanning clerks for Rota and one for Tinian. The following month, we hired a scanning clerk for the Saipan. The scanning clerks are funded under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Since the hiring of the scanning clerks, the document retention project is progressing at a very steady pace with over 3,038 files scanned in a period of three months. ARPA Scanning Clerks: Rota Office
Table 8: Document Retention Project Statistics Type
Files Scan n ed
Pages Scan n ed
Files Au dit ed
Pages Au dit ed
Civil Cases
690
43,383
359
14,987
Criminal Cases
7
307
0
0
Family Court
423
16,569
3,529
60,026
Traffic
1,918
3,855
0
0
Total
3,038
64,114
3,888
75,013
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JURY COM M I SSI ON 2021 On July 8, 2021, Presiding Judge Naraja issued Jury Commission No. 2021-001. This commission instructed the Clerk of Court to retire the 2017 jury panel and begin the drawing of new panels from the most recent voter registration roster. On July 27, 2021, a special session was held in Courtroom 220A before Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho. Twenty-six jury panels were drawn, totaling 3,900 voters.
2021 PROFESSI ON AL DEVEL OPM EN T CON FEREN CE On November 22-23, 2021, the Judiciary held its annual Professional Development Conference. There were several training series as well as the presentation of the Strategic Plan Assessment Report. This laid the ground work for each division to ensure that each and every goal in the plan is achieved. Additionally, several Clerk of Court staff were honored for their outstanding and exemplary service in supporting the Judiciary?s constitutional responsibilities. The Judiciary presented Clerk of Superior Court Patrick V. Diaz the Superior Court Award. Deputy Clerks Okalani Shiprit and Eva P. Calvo were recognized with the Clerk of Court Employees of the Year Award.
CAL EN DAR CAL L ln December 2021, a series of case reviews were done on civil cases that were filed during 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. All civil cases that sat idle for more than two years have been identified and notices of dismissal were prepared and filed pursuant to Rule 16(a) of the Commonwealth Rules of Practice and Rule 41(b)(2) of the Commonwealth Rules of Civil Procedure. Approximately 102 notices of pending dismissal were filed and served on the parties via File and Serve Express. Of the 102 cases, eight attorneys responded and filed pleading to reactivate the cases. The next step in this process is to wait out the 30-day period, and then orders of dismissal will be filed and served.
TRAFFI C CI TATI ON ON FI L E AN D SERVE EX PRESS E-filing of traffic citations began on July 2019 for the Saipan Department of Public Safety. This project went smoothly and all traffic cases are e-filed. In August 2021, the Clerk?s Office reached out to Tinian and Rota Department of Public Safety to remind them of the Supreme Court Order mandating that all traffic citation must be e-filed. This conversation led to Department of Public Safety assigning officers on each respective island to lead the e-filing project and the eventual creation of user accounts on File and Serve Express. As of September 2021, all three islands are now e-filing all traffic citations.
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CASE FI L I N G DATA
Table 9: 2021 Case Filing Per Quarter M on t h
Civil
Cr im in al
Fam ily Cou r t
Ju ven ile
Sm all Claim s
Tr af f ic
Jan. to Mar.
94
53
118
2
24
552
April to June
108
50
134
1
27
782
July to Sept.
68
51
155
4
45
694
Oct. to Dec.
65
53
121
3
34
1,155
Total
335
207
528
10
130
3,183
Table 10: Cases Filed from 2017 to 2021 Year
Civil Cases
Cr im in al
Fam ily Cou r t
Sm all Claim s
Tr af f ic
TOTAL
2017
302
200
576
461
5,716
7,255
2018
443
102
458
248
4,228
5,479
2019
381
143
538
109
4,704
5,875
2020
399
223
427
147
2,915
4,111
2021
335
207
538
130
3,183
4,393
Table 11: Cases Filed by Senatorial District Islan d
Civil Cases
Cr im in al
Fam ily Cou r t
Ju ven ile
Sm all Claim s Tr af f ic
TOTAL
Saipan
324
197
522
10
98
3,088
4,239
Tinian
5
4
4
0
27
61
101
Rota
6
6
2
0
5
34
53
2021 An n u al Repor t | 41
Table 12: Cases Filed by Island and Type Case Type
Saipan
Tin ian
Rot a
Tot al
Adoption
28
2
1
31
Annulment
5
0
0
5
Change of Name
33
1
0
34
Civil Commitment
2
1
0
3
Divorce
195
1
7
203
Emancipation
0
0
0
0
Family Protection Act
116
2
1
119
Guardianship
39
1
2
42
Paternity
49
9
1
59
URESA
6
0
1
7
UCCJA
1
0
0
1
Wardship
24
0
0
24
Juvenile
10
0
0
10
Tot al
508
17
13
538
COURT-APPOI N TED COUN SEL
The court appoints counsel to eligible parties to ensure effective legal representation as required by the U.S. and CNMI Constitution. The graph on the left shows that criminal actions received the highest number of court-appointed counsel, followed Family Court cases.
Bar Graph 1: Court Appointed Counsel for Indigent Defendants
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APPEAL ED CASES As of December 31, 2021, there were 17 cases appealed to the Supreme Court
CUSTOMER SERVICE COUNTER
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COM PACT I M PACT DATA The Compact Impact Report compiles data on the ethnicities of defendants and/or plaintiffs in all civil, criminal, traffic and small claims cases who appeared before the Superior Court between January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021. All information and data in this report was extracted from the Justware Case Management System. The graph below provides the number of defendants/plaintiffs per quarter.
Bar Graph 2: Number of Defendants/Plaintiffs Per Quarter
Dr u g Cou r t
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Communities across the nation are changing the way the criminal justice system deals with offenders with substance use disorders. Problem-solving courts, such as drug court, are new to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Originally spearheaded by now-retired Associate Judge David A. Wiseman, efforts to start the CNMI's first evidence-based treatment court have been ongoing since 2008. The CNMI Drug Court was finally established in 2016 after years of planning and research. Drug
Court now provides an appropriate and effective mechanism for offenders with substance use disorders. The program was implemented with guidelines from the National Association of Drug Court Professionals best practice standards and evidence-based strategies. As expected of a new program, Drug Court encountered many challenges since inception. Nevertheless, Drug Court achieved multiple and notable accomplishments in 2021.
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DRUG COURT GRADUAT I ON In 2021, fifteen graduates completed the treatment program, met all supervision requirements, and were gainfully employed or enrolled in an educational program. Since the inception of Drug Court five years ago, there have been seven graduations. Due to the pandemic, there were no graduation
ceremonies in 2021. Participants who successfully completed the program had their graduation during court hearings. Nationwide, drug courts have been shown to increase graduation rates among people addicted to methamphetamine by nearly 80 percent.1
M A N DAT ES A N D SU ST A I N A BI L I T Y Drug Court strives to meet the mandates of the Drug Court Act, Public Law 19-14, and engages participants in a 15?24-month treatment program. Drug Court continues to work closely with members of the CNMI Drug Court Team to ensure that accountability and treatment are provided in accordance with the national drug court model and the 10 key components of drug court. The manager and Case Managers provide daily support and coordinate substance use disorder treatment and community resources/services for participants. Accountability is facilitated by the Drug Court Supervision Unit, established on April 18, 2018, through Public Law 20-54. The first treatment court officers, a Community Supervision Officer and Compliance Officer, were hired and trained soon after the passage of the bill. The Supervision Unit has a strong partnership with designated law enforcement
officers. In collaboration with the Marshals Service Division, Department of Public Safety Drug Enforcement and Task Force, and Department of Corrections, Drug Court provides intense community supervision including curfew checks and daily check-in by phone. Other legislative and funding strategies to ensure a sustainable and effective program were implemented. Drug Court sought support to expand operations and increase evidence-based treatment services and was approved funding through local Public Law 20-42 and Saipan Local Law 20-24. Drug Court was also awarded $909,929 in federal grants from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Drug Court Discretionary Grant and $121,342.21 (FY2019 and FY2020) through the Justice Assistance Grant.
DCD Manager and DCD Law Enforcement Officers. L-r: Officer Kevin Royal; Officer Dustin Pangelinan; Edward Diaz, DCD Manager; Officer Frankie Camacho.
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ST R AT EG I C P L A N Drug Court works closely with internal and external partners to improve performance in key areas while using limited resources. Strategic initiatives include monitoring and evaluating performance and aligning efforts specifically for Goals 1, 3, 4, and 6 of the Judiciary?s Strategic Plan. Goal No. 1 Fast and Fair Case Flow and Time Standards - Complete entrance protocol within 14 days from referral from the Office of the Attorney General. - Ensure proper and timely data entry of new referrals and current participants. - Input data and maintain files to ensure proper documentation of each case. Prioritize referrals to the proper agencies to ensure participants? immediate needs are met and sustained in each phase of the Court program. Goal No. 3 Develop and Improve Specialty Courts - Implement a data collection system to
DRUG COURT SERVICES Drug Court received 28 referrals in 2021. DCD averaged 31 active participants, 2 on the wait list, 5 referrals deemed unsuitable for the program, 0 terminations due to new charges, and 15 successful graduates. Upon completing entrance protocols, an average of 31 active participants per quarter have been engaged in a comprehensive, holistic approach, which combines intensive judicial interaction, aggressive community supervision, frequent drug testing, case management, and substance and alcohol treatment services throughout the year.
track co-occurring disorders. Apply for technical assistance from federal partners. - Provide training on problem-solving courts to internal and external stakeholders. Goal No. 4 Improve Technology and Court Data Systems - Digitize new and existing case files. - Maintain access to a case management system to store all data. - Ensure team members have access to all relevant data. Goal No. 6 Community Engagement - Maintain professional partnerships with community agencies. - Increase number of community presentations. - Without breaching confidentiality, encourage the involvement of other agencies in connecting all participants to consistent community trainings and opportunities. -
Table 13: Number of Drug Court Participants by Phase and Status, 10/01 to 12/31/2021.
1
2
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Active Participants
30
28
36
32
Phase I
5
6
10
7
Phase II
4
5
5
10
Phase III
10
7
9
9
Phase IV
11
10
12
6
Pending referrals,
8
15
2
3
processing for suitability 3
Unsuitable
0
3
0
2
4
Terminated
0
0
0
0
5
Graduates
5
1
8
1
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Drug Court Case Managers are an integral part of each participant?s success in the program. A comprehensive, integrated, and coordinated community-based approach links participants to various services based on individual needs and in accordance with the treatment plans. Case Managers work closely with providers while navigating each participant through each phase of the program. 575 case management meetings were completed during the reporting period. There were a total of 256 referrals to various agencies to complement the needs of each participant. The Drug Court Supervision Unit was established in 2018 with the hiring of a Community Supervision Officer and Compliance
Table 14: Number of Drug Court Community Supervision and Compliance Activities Communit y Supervision and Compliance Act ivit ies
Tot al
Officer. In 2019, Drug Court Supervision Unit Officers were officially armed allowing them to conduct community supervision efforts independently. The objectives of the Supervision Unit are to ensure participant compliance, protect community, and divert participants from involvement in crime. Drug Court Officers are trained to utilize evidence-based drug court standards and research to provide a holistic approach in addressing criminal thinking patterns. There are currently three DC Law Enforcement Officers. During the reporting period, Drug Court maintained intense and frequent accountability measures, as illustrated in Table 28.
Table 15: Number of Drug Court Participants Per Quarter by Community Agency Referrals Agen cy Ser vices
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Tot al
Identity Docs.
8
6
7
10
31
Health
16
14
17
36
83
1 Field Home Checks
32
2 Call-Ins
7
3 Community Service Hours
10
Housing
2
1
4
17
24
4 Urinalysis Tests
9
Food/Nutrition
1
5
5
2
13
5 Alcohol Breathalyzer Tests
6
Education
4
3
4
6
17
6 Oral Swab Drug Tests
3
Employment
5
3
5
7
20
Childcare
2
3
0
0
5
Transportation
1
0
1
0
2
Training
0
10
10
40
60
Other
0
0
0
1
1
Tot al
39
45
53
119 256
Swearing-In Ceremony for new DCD Staff. From left: Dolores B. Sablan, Lead Case Manager (DC Manager attending virtually); Timothy Rabago, Case Manager; Kevin Royal, Compliance Officer; Kimiko Tenorio, Case Manager; Hon. Teresa K. Kim-Tenorio, Drug Court Judge.
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Drug Court maintains a strong partnership with the Marshals Service Unit, Department of Public Safety, Department of Corrections, and other law enforcement agencies to ensure participants are engaged in a comprehensive accountability track. In addition to the services above, the Drug Court Staff ensured continuum of care: coordinated health exams and education, imposed informal sanctions, distributed incentives, received and distributed personal donations and linked participants to community resources and faith-based support. Family orientations were also conducted for accepted cases.
Table 16: Number of Drug Court Participants Per Quarter by Services Rendered No. Ser vices Ren der ed
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Tot al
1
Legal Eligibility Determined
3
6
2
1
12
2
Intake Interview
6
13
0
2
21
3
Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory 4
6
13
0
2
21
(SASSI-4) 4
Risk and Needs Triage Assessment (RANT)
6
13
0
2
21
5
Biopsychosocial /Clinical Assessment Referral
6
4
9
2
21
6
Home Placement Assessment (a collaborative
6
6
10
1
23
7
Treatment Planning
7
5
8
4
24
8
Drug Court Orientation (# of participants)
7
5
8
4
24
9
Case Management Meetings
115
132
184
219
650
Pre-COVID-19 Pandemic Drug Court Interdisciplinary Team Staffing.
The Drug Court Team at the 2021 NADCP Conference in National Harbor, Maryland.
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(From left) Family Court Manager Queanna C. Sablan, Judicial Assistant Sabrina Dela Cruz, Judge Teresa K. Kim-Tenorio, Arlyn Arboleda, and Law Clerk Gregory Cenac
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A DM I N I ST R AT I V E F U N C T I ON S 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 clients who appear before the Family Court judge. In addition to its administrative functions, the FCD offers client services to families and individuals who are seeking access to the court system. Pro se forms are readily available on-hand at the FCD office and on the Judiciary website. Another key component of the FCD is to offer Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services to clients who prefer to address their issues through mediation. There are three certified Family Court mediators in the CNMI. There are ongoing plans to increase the number of mediators so that cases are addressed promptly by the Family Court judge. The FCD staff also performs a home study for cases that involve custody, such as paternity, divorce, adoption or guardianship should the judge need additional information before making a decision. Parents who are either going through a divorce or separation are ordered to attend the
Separating Parents Class. This class is held once a month and most participants are ordered to attend by the judge. There is a growing number of participants who are referred to attend the class by their private counsels prior to filing a case. In addition, pro se divorcing or separating parents have also sought mediation to address pending matters before filing a divorce or paternity case. The FCD continues to strive to meet the mandates of the Family Court Act of 1995 by allowing clients easy access to court services. This process requires the staff to be proactive in assisting clients prepare and file complaints and pleadings so that they can appear before a judge in a timely manner. Because of the Limited English Proficiency (LEP) program, the Judiciary is able to provide interpreters to assist the FCD both over-the-counter as well as in the courtroom. The FCD no longer sees this language barrier as a challenge. Interpreters are also available for mediation, home studies, and Separating Parents Class should there be a need. The FCD works closely with the LEP Coordinator in meeting this mandate.
P R O S E SE R V I C E S This service for self-represented or pro se clients is an ongoing focus of the Family Court Division. There continues to be an increase in this service from individuals who walk-in to the FCD office, call or e-mail. Several of these requests were from off-island. Services include the following: providing information about filing procedures, preparing appropriate court forms and filing fees,
reviewing petitions, complaints, and other pleadings prior to filing to ensure compliance with format requirements and searching for case information, such as hearing dates and case statuses. In addition, the staff were tasked with distributing court orders and contacting court litigants to remind them of hearing dates and deadlines to submit certain documents and pleadings.
Family Court Manager Queanna C. Sablan and Family Court Services Specialist Arlyn B. Arboleda.
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Table 17: Breakdown of Services Rendered M on t h
Pro Se Assist an ce
Dist r ibu t ion of Or der s/ Pleadin gs
Gen er al In f or m at ion
Ref er r als t o Ot h er Ser vices
Jan.
80
17
27
21
Feb.
70
57
17
23
March
127
63
44
37
April
153
72
71
18
May
103
71
133
12
June
123
70
132
14
July
161
72
30
15
Aug.
207
80
100
27
Sept.
221
63
74
39
Oct.
288
94
90
16
Nov.
249
87
71
36
Dec.
309
75
101
26
Total
2,091
821
887
284
4,083
Clients Served EL ECTRON I C FORM S The Family Court Division pro se forms are available and downloadable for the public on the CNMI Judiciary?s Website in Microsoft Word format. The plan for 2021 was to reformat all FCD forms to PDF-fillable and have those forms available on the website. The FCD did not complete this goal, but will plan to have it completed in 2022.
As a direct result of the pandemic, the FCD experienced an increase in requests for forms by email from NMI residents living in and outside of the CNMI. With guidance from the staff, clients were able to file electronically in order to limit face-to-face contact.
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Table 18: Cases Filed by Type Case Type
Tot als
Amend/Correct
6
Adoption
32
Annulment
4
Change of Name
31
Civil Commitment
3
Divorce
176
Family Protection / Temporary Restraining Orders
140
Foreign Judgement
1
Guardianship
41
Injunction & Declaratory Relief
1
Paternity
59
Uniform Interstate Family Support Act
2
Uniform Reciprocal ESA
8
Wardship
24
Tot al
528
AL T ERN AT I VE DI SP U T E R E SO L U T I O N (M EDI AT I ON ) The Alternative Dispute Resolution Program continues to expand within the Family Court Division. Mediation is the main form of ADR that is used. The Family Court judge will usually evaluate a case that he/she is addressing. If the judge or attorney of the client feels that mediation may offer a way of addressing the dispute without having to go through lengthy court hearings, the judge will order that the parties participate in the mediation process. Once an agreement is reached via the mediation process, a contract of agreement is signed by both parties. This document is then forwarded to the judge with a request from the parties to have it included in any final decree that would be made. In 2021, one case was referred for mediation and was completed by the end of 2021. Most of the other mediation referrals came from private attorneys rather than ordered by the court.
DN A PAT ERN I T Y T EST I N G
The Family Court Division continues to coordinate and oversee genetic testing between on-island and off-island medical facilities, the parties, and their respective attorneys of record, if any. The FCD coordinates sample collections, notice requirements, reporting of test results, and cost recovery with all appropriate parties. The cost recovery for the DNA tests is governed by 8 CMC § 1715. Supervision of these essential tests leads to the speedy resolution of contested paternity cases. In 2021, there were two DNA paternity tests performed. The FCD works with the Laboratory Corporation of America? Holdings (LabCorp) to ensure prompt processing of samples that were referred to their laboratory for testing. LabCorp provides new paternity kits for all testing. The current cost for a DNA test is five hundred twenty-five dollars ($525), and it is paid directly to the LabCorp by the requesting party.
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REFERRAL SER V I C ES One of the primary tasks of the FCD is to assist clients with their referral orders as entered by the judge. In many cases when the judge enters an order referring parties to seek social services, the parties report to the FCD for processing. Once a referral has been made, the social service agency will provide the FCD with a short report on the status of clients and whether they are in compliance with the court order. This report is then filed and forwarded to the Family Court judge. Dialogue is maintained with the Community Guidance Center on how to address the referral services to their agency. In 2021, a total of fifteen clients were referred to CGC for intake and assessment.
The FCD also works closely with the Systems of Care (SOC) program, which specifically targets youth in need of intervention to prevent them from entering the justice system. In 2021, onclient was referred to SOC for services. Referrals have also been made to the Hope Recovery Center, a government-run substance abuse treatment program. Some clients that have cases involving Temporary Restraining Orders or Orders of Protection that have underlying substance abuse issues are the ones typically referred to the Hope Recovery Center. In 2021, there were no referrals to Hope.
"SE P A R A T I N G P A R E N T S" C L A SS The class was held on the first Wednesday of every month from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. In the fourth quarter, the schedule was changed so that classes are to be held at least once every quarter in the months of February, May, August and November. The classes are usually held in a courtroom to accommodate an increasing number of participants. Classes are facilitated by Mr. Joseph Kevin Villagomez, Clinical Supervisor for Treatment & Recovery at the Community Guidance Center, CHCC, and Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio. This class is well received by all the participants
who offer concrete advice on how to better present the class. The class continues to receive high evaluation marks from the participants in terms of content, duration and information. In 2021, the FCD held fourclasses. A total of twenty-sevenparticipants attended the Separating Parents Class. One participant required a Chinese interpreter. Accommodations were provided by the LEP Program.
FEDERA L GRAN TS The Family Court Division applied for and defended five federal grants through the subgrantee process with the Criminal Justice Planning Agency (CJPA). For fiscal year 2020, the FCD was successful in receiving funds for the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG), the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), and the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). In addition to the FY2020 grants, three 2018 grants and two 2019 grants were extended. The FCD will work with the Family Court judge and Presiding Judge Naraja?s offices to expend those funds.
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COM PA CT I M PA CT DATA The Family Court Division continues to collect data of clients from the Freely Associated States (FAS). For 2021, the data are as follows:
Table 19: Compact Impact Cases Filed by Type Case Type
Repu blic of Palau
Feder at ed St at es of Repu blic of t h e M icr on esia M ar sh al Islan ds
Temporary Restraining Orders
7
27
0
Annulment
1
0
0
Divorce
4
1
0
Adoption
7
12
0
Guardianship
0
14
2
Wardship
2
7
0
Paternity
9
21
0
Name Change
2
1
0
TOTAL
32
83
2
ST R AT EG I C P L A N One of the main focuses for the Strategic Goal was Goal 5 Strategy 5.2: Develop Organizational and Staff Models, revise Court Administrative Rules, and implement Standard Operating Procedures. The FCD started the first stage of developing Internal Operating Procedures for the division. The Family Court Manager facilitated a division update at the 2021 Judiciary Professional Development Conference in November.
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Family Court Manager Queanna C. Sablan presents Goal 5 of the Strategic Plan to the Bench and Judiciary Staff during the Annual Professional Development Conference held on November 22, 2021.
Con t i n u i t y of Op er a t i on s Pl a n (COOP) The Family Court Division COOP was updated and submitted on December 17, 2021.
ST A F F T R A I N I N G A N D C O N F E R E N C E S There was no travel in 2021 as training was mostly virtual. 1. January 21 - Pacific Judicial Council Leadership Webinar Series: Start with WHY 2. February 18 & 19 - Pacific Judicial Council: ?Elder Abuse Webinar? 3. March 17 - Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence?s ?Understanding Sexual Violence Webinar? 4. March 17 - The CNMI Judiciary?s ?Policies Training? 5. June 23 - ?Temporary Restraining Orders & Orders of Protection: Everything You Need to Know? Training 6. June 25 - The CNMI Judiciary?s ?ADA Policy Virtual Training? 7. July 29 - The Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence and the CNMI Sexual Assault Response Team?s Webinar: ?Becoming Trauma-Informed: Understanding the Effects of Sexual Violence on the Brain and Body? 8. August 10 - ?MUNIS - End User Training? 9. August 11 - ?MUNIS Approver ? End User Training? 10. September 21 - The Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence and the CNMI Sexual Assault Response Team?s Webinar: ?Supporting Survivors with Disabilities? 11. September 23 - The U.S. District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands Video: ?The Power of Pro Bono Services in the CNMI? 12. October 15 - Pacific Judicial Council Webinar: ?Difficult Conversations? 13. November 22 & 23 - 2021 Judiciary Professional Development Conference
M en tal H eal th Cou r t Dock et
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PROGRAM SUMMARY The Judiciary recognizes treatment courts and dockets as an effective way to address community needs through the justice system. Treatment courts and dockets provide judicially supervised community-based treatment programs. On July 3, 2021, the Supreme Court created the Mental Health Court Docket Program through Administrative Order 2021-ADM-0010-RUL. Positioned within the current structure of the Superior Court?s general docket, the Mental Health Court Docket (MHCD) supplements the Drug Court, the first treatment court established in 2015. It brings together criminal justice agencies and mental health professionals to identify and treat participants with serious mental illness. The MHCD offers also to accept eligible veterans into the program. The Judiciary plans to eventually establish a complete veterans program docket on its own structure. The MHCD is composed of stakeholders listed on Table 20. The MHCD looks forward to continuing to help persons with serious mental illness.
PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS In its first five months, MHCD had:
Table 20: Mental Health Court Docket Stakeholders 1.
CHCC - Psychiatry and Transitional Living Center
2.
Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja
3.
Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio
4.
Office of the Public Defender
PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS INFORMATION
5.
Office of the Attorney General
A. DEMOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
6.
Drug Court Personnel
7.
Specialty Courts Coordinator
8.
Special Assistant to Presiding Judge
9.
Department of Corrections
a. Three participants;and b. One pending applicant
i. Male: 2 ii. Female: 1 B. ATTENDANCE OF JUDICIAL STATUS HEARINGS i. Number of Hearings: 9 C. NUMBER OF INCENTIVES, SANCTIONS, AND THERAPEUTIC ADJUSTMENTS
10. Department of Public Safety
i. Incentives: 1
i. Positive Drug Test: 6
ii. Sanctions: 6
ii. Admittance of Use 1
iii. Therapeutic Adjustments 0
iii. Being Dishonest: 1
D. COMMUNITY WORK SERVICE HOURS
iv. Missed/late Session: 3
i. Total Hours Due: 4
v. Curfew: 1
ii. Total Hours Completed: 0
vi. Failure to Show: 0
iii. Total Hours Pending: 4
vii. Prohibited Establishment: 1
E. NUMBER AND TYPE OF VIOLATIONS
viii. Arrest 1
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Cont'd. F. DRUG TEST RESULTS i. Positive Drug Test: 6 ii. Negative Drug Test: 2 iii. Excused Drug Test: 0 G. ADMITTANCE OF USE AND/OR DRUG TEST RESULTS BY TYPE OF DRUG
i. THC: 6 ii. Alcohol: 1 iii. Methamphetamine 4 H. NUMBER OF RE-ARREST(S) WHILE IN THE PROGRAM i. 0-6 months 1
PERSONNEL The MHCD utilizes personnel from the Drug Table 21: Open Positions Court Division to operate the MHCD. Drug Manager Court Manager, Edward Diaz, serves as the 1. interim MHCD Manager, while Drug Court Division Caseworker I, Timothy Rabago, serves 2. Clinical Liaison as the interim MHCD Case Worker I. Drug Court Division Supervision Officer, Frankie 3. Caseworker I (x2) Camacho, serves as the interim MHCD Supervision Officer. The Special Assistant to the 4. Deputy Clerk II Presiding Judge (SAPJ), Rochelle Vazquez, continues to play a pivotal role in assisting in the operation of the MHCD in tandem with the 5. Community Supervision Worker (x2) interim MHCD Manager. Further, the Specialty Courts Coordinator, Bryan Bocago, has and will continue to provide assistance to the MHCD. Secondly, the SAPJ and the Human Resources Division were able to draft, finalize, and announce several MHCD position descriptions. The MHCD is looking to fill all five (7) staff positions by the end of FY 2022. See Table 21.
Special Assistant to the Presiding Judge Rochelle L. Vazquez and Specialty Courts Coordinator Bryan S. Bocago assist Presiding Judge Naraja with treatment courts.
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Drug Court Division Personnel
FUNDING SOURCES The MHCD budget consist of the following funding sources: a. Local funds ? $417,858 for personnel and $192,544 for operations b. CJPA JAG Grant ? $10,000 for Personnel training
TRAINING Several Judiciary staff members and MHCD Team members attended a National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) Rise21 Conference in August 15-18, 2021. The attendees include Associate Judge Wesley Bogdan, Public Defender JP Nogues, Assistant Attorney General Heather Barcinas, Judiciary General Counsel Hyun Jae Lee, Interim MHCD Manager Edward Diaz, and Presiding Judge Special Assistant Rochelle Vazquez.
Judge Kim-Tenorio presenting Goal 3 during the Strategic Planning Committee meeting.
Office of Adu l t Pr obation Su per vision
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Front from left: Probation Officer I Timothy Jack C. Deleon Guerrero, Probation Officer I Timothy
L. Cruz. Assistant Probation Officer Susan G. Cabrera, Chief Probation Officer Simram W. Simram, Probation Officer I Nadia Mae B. Moses, and Probation Officer II Gwendolyn T. Iguel. Back from left: Assistant Probation Officer Wilson C. Calantog, Probation Officer II Benjie T. Piteg, Probation Officer II Matilde Bermudes-Rasa, and Probation Officer I Priscillia C. Camacho.
Probation Officer I Berliann P. Higgins
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Table 22: Personnel List ing No
PERSONNEL
UNIT
CHARGING ACCOUNT
PROBATION ADM INISTRATION & VICTIM S UNIT 1
Simram W. Simram, Chief Probation
Administration Unit
LOCAL
2
Priscillia C. Camacho, Probation Officer
VAPP / Administration Unit
LOCAL
3
Susan G. Cabrera, Assistant Probation
Administration Unit
ARPA
PRE-TRIAL, INVESTIGATION AND ASSESSM ENT UNIT Simram W. Simram, Chief Probation
Pre-Trial Unit
LOCAL
LAW ENFORCEM ENT & SUPERVISION UNIT 4
Matilde Bermudes-Rasa, Supervisor, POII
Post Sentence Unit / Criminal
LOCAL
5
Weena Gwendolyn T. Iguel, Probation
Post Sentence Unit /
LOCAL
6
Benjie G. Piteg, Probation Officer I
Post Sentence Unit / Traffic
LOCAL
7
Berliann P. Higgins, Probation Officer I
Post Sentence Unit /Criminal
LOCAL
8
Nadia B. Moses, Probation Officer I
Post Sentence Unit / Criminal
LOCAL
9
Timothy C. Deleon Guerrero, Probation
ARPA
10
Timothy L. Cruz, Probation Officer I
ARPA
11
Wilson C. Calantog, Assistant Probation
ARPA
Fom left: Probation Officer I Timothy L. Cruz, Assistant Probation Officer Wilson C. Calantog , Probation Officer I Timothy Jack C. Deleon Guerrero, Probation Officer I Benjie T. Piteg, and Chief Probation Officer Simram W. Simram
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Pie Chart 1: Annual Referral Activities
From left: Probation Officer II Gwendolyn T. Iguel, Probation Officer I Nadia Mae B. Moses, Assistant Probation Officer Susan G. Cabrera, and Probation Officer I Priscillia C. Camacho.
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Table 23: Pr ogr am s An n u al Un it Act ivit y PROGRAM S
1st Q
2n d Q
3r d Q 4t h Q Cr im in al
Tr af f ic
Tot al
CGC Ordered
37
45
26
22
129
1
130
CGC Referrals
42
32
30
29
132
1
133
Anger Management Class
n/a
Discovery Class
n/a
Domestic Violence Class
n/a
Other CGC Referral
n/a
Common Sense Parenting Class
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
CWS Ordered
71
97
61
52
84
197
281
CWS Referral
18
27
13
8
52
14
66
Crime Prevention Class
4
1
1
0
6
0
6
Community Presentation Outreach
6
0
3
0
-
-
9
Diversion Caseload
1
0
0
0
1
0
1
Probation Orientation Class
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Risk Assessment Administered
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Post Sentence Drug Test Orders
21
33
23
14
91
0
91
Post Sentence Drug Test Conducted
3
60
66
31
148
12
160
SAAR Orders
-
-
1
-
1
-
1
SAAR Referrals
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
SAAR Inpatients
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
SAAR Outpatients
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
AIC Ordered(Alcohol Information
43
64
44
32
0
183
183
AIC Referrals
32
51
38
25
0
146
146
No Alcohol Consumption Ordered
69
100
65
46
101
179
280
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Table 24: Vict im s Un it Act ivit y VICTIM S UNIT
1st Q
2n d Q
3r d Q
4t h Q
Cr im in al
Tr af f ic
Tot al
No. Restitution Ordered
12
16
10
10
36
12
48
No. Restitution Payment
10
6
4
8
24
4
28
Total Payments(OAP receipt tracking)
9
23
18
19
59
10
69
Victims Contacts
91
31
115
42
261
18
279
Apology Letter Orders
1
0
0
2
3
0
3
Apology Letter Delivery
2
0
0
1
3
0
3
Stay Away / No Contacts Orders
34
39
20
19
112
0
112
Pie Chart 2: OAP Legal Obligation Performance
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Director of Courts Sonia A. Camacho oversees the Administrative Offices of the Judiciary. The Administrative Offices include:
-
Budget and Finance Office Commonwealth Recorder's Office Facilities Management Office Grants Management Office Human Resources Office Information Systems Office Marshals Service Division Office of Procurement
Managers and the Management Team are introduced by Director of Courts Sonia A Camacho to present their division's strategic plan during the Judiciary's Professional Development Conference on November 21, 2022.
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Bu dget an d Fin an ce Office
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In 2021, the Budget and Finance office (BFO) transitioned physically and digitally. In 2021, there were multiple budget proposals, the termination of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funding, completion of HVAC project, and the Guma' Hustisia homecoming, the transition to Munis and the introduction of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Even with everything that came along with the moving and changes in 2021, the office was able to keep all its services operating, both to the Judiciary and to the public. BU DG ET P R OP OSA L
The CNMI Judiciary submitted its FY 2022 budget proposal on March 5, 2021. Our total request was for $11,832,100 This includes $7,678,277 in personnel, $3,438,824 in all others (general), $715,000 for all others-utilities. The request also requested for 140 Full time employees (FTEs)
On April 1, 2021, Governor Ralph DLG. Torres submitted the Executive Branch?s proposal for all entities for FY 2022. For the Judiciary, he proposed a total budget of $4,773,003. This included $4,078,292 in personnel, $484,711 in all others (general), $210,00 for all others-utilities. The Governor?s proposal was budgeted to fund staff at 80% of their salaries. On July 1, 2021, Governor Ralph DLG. Torres submitted an amended Executive Branch proposal for all entities for FY 2022 which amended the proposed spending plan for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to supplement the FY 2022 budget. The Judiciary will receive $2,107,135 in ARPA funds in FY 2022, increasing the proposed total budget to $6,880,138. This includes $979,096 to Personnel, increasing Personnel to $5,057,388; $878,039 to All Others, increasing All Others to $1,362,750; and $250,000 to utilities, increasing utilities to $460,000.
From left: Accountant II Evelyn P. Calvo, Budget and Finance Director John T. Villagomez, and Accountant I Shanna Mae Flores.
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The CNMI Judiciary submitted its amended FY 2022 budget proposal on July 20, 2021,to incorporate the Mental Health Court Docket Budget. Our total request was for $12,851,685. This included $8,518,467 in personnel, $433,218 in all others (general), $715,000 for all others-utilities. On September 2021, the Governor signed PL
22-08 into law. The Public Law is an act to make appropriations for FY 2022. The Bill appropriated $5,939,857. This included $4,496,149 in personnel, $1,233,708 in all others (general), $210,000 for all others-utilities. The appropriation increased our FTE count to 127, but only 98 FTEs were funded and 90 FTEs were only funded at 80% of their total salary.
Bar Graph 3: FY 2021 Budget Process
BFD Villagomez supervises preparation of budget materials to be distributed to the Legislature. From left: Accountant I Shanna Mae Flores, Director of Courts Sonia A. Camacho, Procurement Officer Martha B. Mendiola, and BFD John T. Villagomez (July 20, 2021)
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COL L ECTI ON S In 2021, the Collected $1,844,035 at its cashier station on Saipan. Line Chart 1: 2020 vs. 2021 Collections - Saipan
Line Chart 2: 2020 vs. 2021 Collections - Tinian
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Line Chart 3: 2020 vs. 2021 Collections - Rota
Bar Graph 4: Fiduciary Disbursements
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CARES Act The Budget and Finance Director was funded part-time under the Judiciary?s CARES Act-allotted funds. The Budget and Finance Director helped prepare and review the spending plans for CARES Act funds. In 2021, the Budget and Finance Director assisted in preparing and reviewing five spending plan revisions. The Budget and Finance Director was also in charge of certifying and reviewing invoices for payments. All payments were processed through the payables section of the BFO. The Budget and Finance Director was crucial in preparing the closing report.
Director Villagomez reviewsthe CARESAct Spending Plan No. 10 for submission to the Secretary of Finance'sOffice .
2021 An n u al Repor t | 73 H VAC AN D M OL D REM EDI AT I ON
The contract for the Judiciary HVAC project was awarded to Chong?s Corporation. The BFO reviewed and certified invoices for completion and correct billing. The HVAC contract was completed in November 2021. Because of the Mold Remediation portion of the contract, the cashier station was moved to the Marianas Business Plaza in October 2020 and moved back to its original office in June 2021.
The Budget and Finance Office moves back into the Guma' Hustisia after eight monthsof being stationed at the MarianasBusiness Plaza. Pictured are SA Villacrusisand CSMendoza setting up the team'sworkstation.
The executive branch made the transition of the central accounting system from JD Edwards to Tyler?Technologies' Munis system in 2021. The Judiciary was included in the transition, despite its independence from the executive branch procurement and accounting process. In order to do this, the Judiciary?s BFO and Office of Procurement went through multiple trainings from July to September. Munis went live in October 2021. Munis strengthens the accounting and procurement process by having purchase orders and invoices processed and approved online. It also switched the cashiering system to a more user-friendly system. The staff of the BFO are cross-trained in every function of Munis. TYL ER TECH N OL OGI ES - M UN I S
Com m on weal th Recor der 's Office
The Commonwealth Recorder?s Act of 2020 took effect in January 2021. The statute provides for electronic recording of all documents and places the CRO under the Chief Justice?s supervision. The office is currently placed in the Judiciary Administrative Office and under the direct supervision of Director of Courts Sonia A. Camacho.
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DUT I ES The primary duties of the Commonwealth Recorder include: 1. Promptly record documents presented for recordation; 2. Maintain, index, update, and retain electronic copies of the official land registration certificates and other real estate, Uniform Commercial Code, and personal property documents of the Commonwealth; 3. Maintain, index, update, and retain electronic copies of marriage records; 4. Convert existing recorded paper documents into electronic format; and 5. Provide access to the search and retrieval of documents and information by electronic means. ST A F F & OF F I C E U P DAT E The Commonwealth Recorder?s Office (CRO) was managed by the Recorder Lucy Guerrero and Acting Recorder Rebecca R. Santos from January 1, 2021 to May 30, 2021. Kelsey O. George started her position as the Commonwealth Recorder on May 31, 2021 and was sworn in on July 2, 2021. Gregorio Tudela was hired in August 2021 as the Administrative Specialist, but resigned from the position on December 06, 2021. ARPA Scanning Clerk Tracy Limes began assisting the office with scanning in October 2021. Interviews are currently being conducted for the vacant position. The CRO currently occupies offices at the Guma' Hustisia and the Marianas Business Plaza (MBP), Suite 204. The alternate office space at the MBP is used for storing and scanning files predating in preparation for the data migration to an E-Recording system.
Swearing-in of Commonwealth Recorder Kelsey O. George (left) and Acting Commonwealth Recorder Rebecca R. Santos (right) on July 2, 2021.
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The office space is also used for entertaining research appointments. The CRO has continued with its thorough screening process for staff and members of the public entering the office. The CRO began assisting customers from the Guma' Hustisia in July 2021 in order to accommodate payment needs, due to the Judiciary Accounting office?s relocation to the Guma Hustisia from MBP. CRO hours are 8:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Guma' Hustisia and 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the MBP. Administrative Specialist Tudela and ARPA Scanning Clerk Limes have scanned thousands of documents.
P R O JE C T S
E-RECORDING SYSTEM: The procurement process to secure an E-Recording system
vendor began in mid-2021 There are still discussions taking place with the vendor and review of the contract. The project's commencement date is prior to summer 2022. In preparation for the E-Recording system, the CRO has been: - Digitizing and auditing records in preparation for data migration - Procuring a large scale printer and scanner for maps - Setting up a customer kiosk for research and e-filing - Having the intent to procure a sophisticated kiosk developed for self-service
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C R O F I L I N G ST AT I ST I C S
Table 25: Monthly CRO Filings for Saipan SAIPAN
JAN FEB
M AR APR
M AY JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
FILINGS
TOTAL
Documents
188 41
31
182
160
200
100
135
61
82
118
89
1,387
$27,740.00
Doc Sub Pages
16
173
130
417
220
370
525
540
363
450
573
456
4,233
$8,466.00
UCC-1
28
6
1
4
3
7
4
3
9
8
8
6
87
$1,740.00
UCC-1 Sub Pages
0
1
18
32
11
28
15
0
31
151
35
10
332
$664.00
UCC-2
3
2
1
0
0
8
0
0
1
4
3
2
24
$480.00
UCC-2 Sub Pages
0
560
6
0
0
2
0
0
0
2
0
0
570
$1,140.00
UCC-3
0
0
2
0
0
1
1
9
1
12
0
2
28
$560.00
UCC-3 Copies
0
60
0
0
0
0
0
8
1
15
0
10
94
$188.00
Marriage Cert
0
7
1
17
14
15
12
16
12
16
17
14
141
$3,525.00
Maps
5
7
1
12
13
10
4
29
10
14
10
9
124
$3,100.00
Single Status
0
125
0
0
0
1
0
2
1
2
1
0
132
$3,300.00
True Copies
0
125
4
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
132
$3,300.00
Map Copies
0
0
0
0
1
5
2
4
1
2
0
0
15
$750.00
Copies
407 51
314
1,474 878
976
2,217 1,701
712
1,669
1,001
2,585 13,985
TOTAL
$13,985.00 $68,938.00
Total filing fees received by the Commonwealth Recorder's Office:
$73,774.00* *Includes Rota and Tinian Statistics
78 | 2021 An n u al Repor t
C R O M A R R I A G E R EC OR D ST AT I ST I C S
Table 26: Monthly CRO Marriage Record Statistics - Sum of Count for All Islands Islan d
JAN
FEB
M AR
Rota
1
Saipan
23
20
18
Tinian
1
3
1
TOTAL
25
23
19
APR
M AY
2
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
1
23
24
4
33
30
23
1 25
24
TOTAL
34
31
23
25
18
1
4
26
22
19
21
277 11
19
21
292
Table 27: Monthly CRO Marriage Record Statistics - Sum of Recordation Fees for All Islands Islan d
JAN
FEB
M AR
Rota
25
Saipan
575
500
450
Tinian
25
75
25
TOTAL
$625
$575
$475
APR
M AY
50 575
JUN
JUL
AUG
OCT
NOV
DEC
25 600
825
$600
$850
TOTAL 100
750
575
25 $625
SEP
$775
$575
625
450
475
25
100
$650
$550 $475
525
6925 275
$525 $7,300.00
Table 28: Monthly CRO Marriage Record Statistics - Marriage Application Grantors for All Islands M ar r iage Applicat ion Gr an t or s
JAN
Governor
FEB
M AR
1
APR
M AY
3
JUN
JUL
4
1
AUG
1
Mayor of
1 1
Mayor of Saipan
23
19
18
Mayor of Tinian & Aguiguan
1
3
1
TOTAL
25
23
19
OCT
NOV DEC TOTAL
3
Lt. Governor
Mayor of Rota
SEP
12
1
2 1
2 20
25
3 24
24
29
29
1
1
34
31
21
23
24
16
17
1
3
2
26
22
19
21
261
13
21
292
2021 An n u al Repor t | 79
Building Maintenance Worker Mark G. Hidalgo replacing light bulbs in the Supreme Court Chambers
80 | 2021 An n u al Repor t
Despite all the ongoing projects in the 1st Quarter, the Maintenance Department worked hard at maintaining the building grounds, facility, and equipment of the Judiciary. At the same time, the Department provided assistance to the contractors in order to ensure that the ongoing projects progressed smoothly and without delay. With the HVAC and mold remediation halfway done in the 2nd Quarter the Maintenance Department began preparing the division office spaces and assisted with the relocation of furniture and equipment back into the Guma' Hustisia. The Maintenance Department also continued to work hard at maintaining the building grounds, facility, and equipment of the Judiciary and at the same time provided assistance to the contractors in order to ensure that the ongoing projects progressed smoothly and without delay for the months of April, May, and June. With the HVAC project coming to a close in the 3rd Quarter, the Maintenance Department continued with preparing the division office spaces and assisting with the relocation of furniture and equipment back into the Guma' Hustisia. At the same time, the Maintenance Department continued to work hard at maintaining the building grounds, facility, equipment of the Judiciary and provided assistance to the contractors in order to ensure that the ongoing projects progressed smoothly and without delay for the months of July, August, & September.
ACTI VI TI ES -
-
-
Remove furniture and other items within offices that were left behind by different divisions in order for the contractors to work on mold remediation and the replacement on air ducts. Organize the furniture that was relocated to the Atrium. Sanitize those that can be reused and separate those that are meant for survey. Provide contractors access to certain portions of the building. Assist departments requiring assistance. Remove outdated security locks. Clean the curbside and storm drains. Trim trees and hedges Prepare and paint division offices. Change lightbulbs in division offices and court rooms Provide contractors access to certain portions of the building.
-
Work with departments requiring assistance such as relocation of furniture and equipment. Relocation of equipment and furniture to allow working spaces for contractors. Obtain quotes from vendors. Prepare and paint judges?chambers for the Superior Court. Relocate furniture for Superior Court Judges. Clearing of debris and disposing of trash Water blasting sidewalks and cutting grass Provide contractors access to certain portions of the building. Set up for LAPP training. Work with departments requiring assistance such as relocation of furniture and equipment. Receive HVAC training for the new AC.
2021 An n u al Repor t | 81
L A W N M AI N T EN AN CE
VOLUNTEER HOURS SPENT IN 1st-3rd QUARTER Although faced with many simultaneous projects, the Maintenance Department was able to assist contractors and other divisions and spent the following number of hours on projects: General: HVAC & Mold Remediation: CARES Act: FEMA: Other Divisions:
1,305 hours 634 hours 17 hours 17 hours 543 hours
From April to June 2021, the Maintenance Department worked with over 30 different community volunteers who contributed a total of 302.5 hours.
The Judiciary?sgenerator (above) ishoused in the building shown below.
82 | 2021 An n u al Repor t
In the second half of 2021, the Facilitiesteam prepared the Guma' Hustisia for staff "Homecoming," after three yearsof holding court and officesat alternate sitesduring the HVAC construction. The building was bustling with activities--moving furniture, painting officesand replacing hundredsof fluorescent tubes. There waspalpable excitment when the Guma' Hustisia opened itsdoorsto the public.
2021 An n u al Repor t | 83
Gr an ts M an agem en t Office
Grants Administrator Jim Stowell showcases the Biolux stand up units, used to sanitize courtrooms and various locations in the Guma' Hustisia.
2021 An n u al Repor t | 85
The Grants Management Office is a one-man division run by Grants Administrator Jim W. Stowell. In 2021, Dean Palacios of the Law Revision Commission assisted in the office's projects. The Grants Management Office's efforts were divided into four main categories: -
FEMA Projects Reimbursements CJPA, USDA, BJA, and Other Grants Ultra Violet Light Deployment
F E M A P R O JE C T S There are seven (7) major projects on the Judiciary's Typhoon Yutu Project Worksheet for completion: 1. Removal of Roof Tiles 2. Sally Port Roof Repair 3. Replacement of Three (3) Typhoon Yutu Damaged Elevators 4. Repair of Holes in the Judiciary Building's Exterior Stucco 5. Replacement of the MSD X-Ray Machine 6. Repair of the Eastern Perimeter Fence 7. Replacement of Exterior Cameras In the 1st Quarter, the roof tile, sally port, and elevator project were consigned by Public Assistance with the Judiciary's agreement to the architectural and engineering firm, GHD Inc., for initial assessment and recommendation to Public Assistance as to the best scope of work. The recommendation, brought forth by GHD,will be forwarded to FEMA. The contractor plans to begin stucco work after the tiles in the courtrooms have been replaced. The contract for the fence project requires a revision to reflect a reduction in the job's size due to DPS having replaced some of the fence at their cost. In the 2nd Quarter, an architectural and engineering assessment was provided for the repair of the sally port roof and the Judiciary's three (3) elevators. This assessment also included the removal of the remaining roof tiles and the recommendation of adding a durable sealant. The stucco repairs were completed at the end of the quarter. An extension for the camera replacement project was filed and requested a new due date of September 30, 2021. In the 3rd Quarter, the remaining restoration, repair, and replacement projects was tracked and recorded on a spreadsheet adopted by FEMA. The worksheet below identifies projects the Judiciary will take on (i.e., roof hatch repairs, remaining door repairs, RSAT damages) as well as the projects GHD will handle (i.e., roof tile and elevator project). See Exhibit __: FEMA Project Worksheet. A survey of the RSAT building roof hole was completed.
Grants Administrator Jim W. Stowell
86 | 2021 An n u al Repor t
In the 4th quarter, GHD moved forward to develop a scope of work for the roof tile removal and has started developing the scope of work and design for issuance of ITB. A RFP for the three elevators covered under FEMA was prepared for distribution. The cameras for the exterior camera replacement project were procured. The installation and activation of these cameras has been stalled due to difficulties obtaining a mount. A request for reimbursement for the cameras was made, but the mounts will not be covered.
Right: Elevator repair is a big focus of the Super Typhoon Yutu recovery. FEMA provided funding for repair of three damaged elevators.
Below: Prior to repairs, multiple holes in the stucco could be seen on the wall extending vertically above the window.
2021 An n u al Repor t | 87
C J PA , U S D A , A N D O T H E R G R A N T S In the 1st Quarter, work was ongoing to get grants extended where money had not been spent due to Covid-19 related issues. In some cases, this was not be possible due to the grantor master grant termination and extension policy. Registration for Just Grants and ASAP.gov processing was completed. The Drug Court Federal Grant's funding passed
another quarter without a drawdown occurring. Systems were in place to affect a drawdown. Grant-funded pay increases for two Drug Court Grant employees were processed and should represent the first draw down on the grant in early April. The System for Award Management (SAM) annual registration was also completed during this quarter.
In the 2nd Quarter, the total fund status including all CJPA grants, SNLID grants, and the Federal Drug Court Grant stood at $701,125.00. The Judicial Building Fund Balance was reduced to $901,803.40 by the end of May. Additionally, the Grants Management Office began drafting Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the handling of CJPA grants and details the various steps from application to reporting.
In the 3rd Quarter, grant awards from CJPA for the new fiscal year remain slow. Requests for the extension of VAWA requests were not acted upon, whereas two VOCA and four JAG extension requests were received. In the 4th Quarter, award documents for the elevator replacement were executed and returned to USDA for review.
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G R A N T S F U N D ST AT U S CJPA Grant Funds Total Available as of 9/30/21 inclusive of known expenditures between end of 3rd and 4th quarter 2021 and awards during the same period. MUNIS assimilation resulted in minimal amounts being spent in spent in 4th qrt. 2021 as CJPA could not approve POs. Funds status could not be completely updated as Finance could not provide current data. BJA/DOJ Drug Court Federal Grant - $906,929 4 yr. budget. $12,790 has been spent through 12/31/2021. PLUS payroll for last three pay periods of 2021, since transfers have ceased to be made. Office of Adult Probation Supervision- Original award was $195,000. No Update on Funds Status available as of 1/14/22. Drug Court (Professional Services) - Original award was $150,000. No Update on Funds Status available as of 1/14/22. Drug Court (Treatment & Ops) - Nothing spent since award. No Update on Funds Status available as of 1/14/22. The Federal Drug Crt. Grant expires 12/31/2022. A one-year extension is probably obtainable.
UL T RAV I OL ET L I GH T DEPL OY M EN T The installation of four Biolux UVC lamps in the COVID-19 Screening and Security Zone?s ("SSZ") air conditioning air duct was a major accomplishment. It became apparent that the air-conditioning system being installed was without sufficient ultraviolet equipment to clean the air. This was remedied by a collaborative effort between Sam McPhetres, Fred Prinz, Bill Miller and team, and Chong's Corporation representatives who installed the Biolux lamps to clean the air in the SSZ of pathogens, viruses, germs, and mold spores. Ceiling Troffers, a triple combination of LED light, air filter and UV light air cleaning, were installed in the SSZ's ceiling. The use of the Biolux standup units, whose strong emission of ultraviolet light can clean surfaces and air of offending particulates, was regularly deployed during the quarter in the two operative Superior Courtrooms. The Remaining UV equipment was not installed on Tinian and Rota and in the Guma' Hustisia as the remaining Cares Act funds for these expenses were not received. Additionally, a FAR-UV light Arch was activated. The Judiciary is the first to have this type of equipment activated in the Western Pacific.
2021 An n u al Repor t | 89
The use of mobile standup germicidal UV light equipment increased as the numbers of COVID cases spiked during the 4th quarter. The Biolux mobile units were regularly deployed in courtrooms, offices, and public bathrooms at the end of the day when patrons have departed. An additional five Hygeaires were installed. Two Hygeaires were installed in each Superior Court courtroom. The Hygeaire works well in areas with good ventilation such as the Judiciary courtrooms served by the new HVAC system.
The Biolux mobile UV equipment is utilized to sanitize the SSZ Conference Room.
Hygeaire installed in the Superior Court Clerk's Office.
Troffer being installed.
Technician wiring the new equipment into the existing light circuitry.
H u m an Resou r ces Office
2021 An n u al Repor t | 91
Fermin B. Dela Cruz, Former Administrative/Human Resources Specialist
The Human Resources Office (HR) has a primary responsibility for managing and assisting with all employee-related matters, including such functions as recruitment, distribution of policies, providing information about employment & labor laws and benefits, conducting new employee orientation, coordinating professional development, maintaining personnel records, assisting employees with obtaining records and other information as requested, and employee consultations. Staff training and professional development workshops are also coordinated by HR throughout the year. During January 2021, the Human Resources Office relocated from Guma' Hustisia to Marianas Business Plaza (MBP) due to ongoing construction projects at the Guma? Hustisia, and pursuant to Supreme Court Order No. 2020-ADM-0024-MSC (COVID-19 Order No. 9). The alternate site for the HR office lasted until July 19, 2021, and subsequently returned to the Guma' Hustisia.
On May 12, 2021, a notice was served to nine employees who remained on the reemployment listing and were called back for reemployment at the Judiciary. The Chief Justice and the Presiding Judge signed the offer letters for the nine employees from the reemployment list under the NMI Judicial Branch Personnel Rule 13(b)(2)(B). During the 3rd quarter, the HR Office reached out to several individuals regarding an HR audit on the Judiciary?s job classification and audit/revisions of job descriptions. A scope of work was initiated for the number of people interviewed (e.g., supervisors / managers, department heads, etc.) and number of policies/SOPs already existing. The Goal 5 Committee spearheaded by Judge Kim Tenorio will be developing the scope of work after consultation. Pursuant to Public Law 19-83, NMIAC § 10-30-334, and the certification of available funds under the American Rescue Plan Act, the Judiciary effectuated a ten percent (10%) across-the-board pay increase for all Judiciary employees. For fiscal years 2020 and 2021, the Judiciary submitted a proposed budget to the Legislature, requesting for a ten percent (10%) across-the-board pay increase. This request did not come to fruition as the CNMI was facing a devastating economic downfall due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The negative fiscal impact resulted in the furlough and involuntary lay-off of various Judiciary employees, and work was off-loaded to the remaining staff. Despite such a change in circumstances, the employees worked throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring judicial services continued uninterrupted. A pay increase is necessary to employ and retain staffing and to offer competitive salaries to ensure that the best government services are provided. It also allows the Judiciary to recruit strong off-island hires.
92 | 2021 An n u al Repor t
Austerity measures continued during the first quarter. On March 15, 2020, the Judiciary began an austerity schedule for its workforce, and employees' salaries were decreased by 20% and bi-weekly work hours were decreased to 64 hours. The austerity schedule was implemented based on Fiscal Year 2020 budget cuts. The HR Office distributed and disseminated electronically adopted policies such as the EEO complaint form, EEO policy, Nondiscrimination complaint, and non-discrimination consent form to all Judiciary staff. The HR Office worked with General Counsel to include foreign degrees language in all JVA announcements that education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the job qualification requirements, if the applicant can show that foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide such evidence when applying for Judiciary jobs. Education received in foreign colleges or universities will be considered if the candidate submits an evaluation of the coursework from: (a) an accredited U.S. college or university; or (b) a private professional organization specializing in interpretation of foreign education. During August 2021, it was the start of the TylerTech ? Munis system for HR implementation. Training was held at the Office of Personnel and consisted of HR/Payroll Management fundamental review, HR Talent Management Fundamental, Recruiting Fundamental, and Salary & Benefit Projection Fundamental. The HR Office was tasked to provide salary table, class and
Managers? Meeting held in the Supreme Court Courtroom regarding Coronavirus Pandemic.
training codes, and onboarding documents, such as HR policies, handbook and directives. On September 2021, the Judicial Council approved a Merit Bonus Award Program for employees pursuant to NMI Judicial Branch Personnel Rule 4(e). An award of $1,500 was provided based on merit and excellent performance and in recognition of the obstacles and hardship employees had endured through the COVID-19 pandemic. . In November, the 2021 Judiciary Professional Development Conerence was held at Kensington Hotel. Conference topics included Technology in the Workplace, Strategic Planning, Courtroom Security, Writing and Proofreading, Court Branding, and Mental Health. The Professional Development is one of the many ways the staff and management are able to maintain and improve their skills, respond to changes in society, maintain their health, and retain their enthusiasm for the administration of justice. It also provides an opportunity for the bench to have a wider discussion of common issues that may be particularly valuable. During the month of December, HR coordinated with the CHCC COVID-19 Task Force for a COVID-19 PCR testing program. Staff took administrative leave for COVID-19 testing.
2021 An n u al Repor t | 93
RECRUITMENT
94 | 2021 An n u al Repor t
JOB APPLICATION PROCESS When a vacancy occurs, the applicable department reviews the position description and makes changes as needed. HR prepares a request for announcement for the Chief Justice or Presiding Judge?s approval. The 5-day internal announcement occurs, followed by the 10-day public announcement if there is no internal hire. Individuals interested in employment with the Judiciary may obtain the employment application at www.NMIJudiciary.com, at the
Judiciary Administrative Office at the Guma Hustisia in Susupe, Kotten Tinian or Rota Centron Hustisia. The employment application should be supported by certified documents to validate credentials necessary to satisfy minimum qualifications (i.e., high school diploma, college diploma, police and court clearances); and three references must also be provided. The Judiciary follows the Office of Personnel Management?s hiring processes.
Former Program Specialist Penelope S. Yiftheg was hired through the external job vacancy announcement. PS Yiftheg was presented the Certificate of Service.
2021 An n u al Repor t | 95
VACAN CY AN N OUN CEM EN TS & FUL FI L L M EN T Table 29: Vacant Positions JVA#
Vacan cy
Division
21-033
Staff Attorney
Law Revision Commission
22-007
Project Assistant
Drug Court
22-008
Mental Health Court Manager
Mental Health Court
22-013
Program Specialist
Judiciary Administrative Office
22-014
Deputy Clerk II
Drug Court
22-015
Mental Health Court Caseworker I
Superior Court
22-016
Drug Court Peer Support Specialist
Drug Court
22-017
Administrative Specialist
Judiciary Administrative Office
22-018
Clinical Liaison - MHC
Superior Court
22-002
Client Services Navigator
Judiciary Administrative Office
22-011
Administrative Officer
Judiciary Administrative Office
22-012
Information Systems Project Coordinator
Information Services Unit
ARPA
ST A F F T R A I N I N G Professional development and staff training workshops, initiated by the justices, Office of General Counsel, and the HR Office to provide educational opportunities for the CNMI Judiciary?s personnel have been ongoing,
covering topics dealing with information and technology, court rules and procedures, customer service, and health and wellness, among other things.
96 | 2021 An n u al Repor t
Table 30: Staff Training Sessions Language Access Plan and Policy Training for Staff
January 29, 2021
LRC Presentation for Law Clerk
February 12, 2021
Flourish Workshop
February 26, 2021
Writing Skills Refresher
February 26, 2021
Security Assessment Discussion for CNMI Judiciary
March 11, 2021
Language Access Plan and Policy Training for New Hire
March 12, 2021
Whistle Blower, Anti-Texting, & Personally Identifiable Information Policies
March 17, 2021
Whistle Blower, Anti-Texting, & Personally Identifiable Information Policies
March 19, 2021
PJC Webinar Training: Jury Trial Process & Procedure
April 16, 2021
Writing Skills Refresher Session 3
April 23, 2021
PJC Webinar: Overview of the Courts: Why Your Role Matters
May 10, 2021
PJC Webinar Series: Overview of the Courts
May 11, 2021
Training on Policy: Anti-Bullying Session 1
May 14, 2021
Training on Policy: Anti-Bullying Session 2
May 17, 2021
Writing Skills Refresher Session 4
May 28, 2021
PJC Webinar Series: Effective Case Management Principles and Practice
June 9, 2021
PJC Webinar Series: Secondary Trauma
July 14, 2021
Writing Skills Refresher Session 5
August 27, 2021
Language Access Plan and Policy Interpreter Training
September 23, 2021
Language Access Plan and Policy Interpreter Training
October 1, 2021
Firearms Certification and Qualification Training
October 4, 2021
Firearms Certification and Qualification Training
October 8, 2021
PJC Webinar Series: Difficult Conversations
October 14, 2021
PJC Webinar Series: Settlement Conference Training
October 22, 2021
2021 Judiciary Professional Development - Day 1
November 22, 2021
2021 Judiciary Professional Development - Day 2
November 23, 2021
2021 An n u al Repor t | 97
P ER SON N EL R EC OR D R ET EN T I ON The HR Office with help of the ARPA Scanning Clerk began its scanning process during the 4th quarter. HR office maintains both employee record information and judiciary?s policies. Each personnel document is classified, index and archived in LaserFiche. The following are the number of files scanned:
2 0 2 1 O U T L O O K & F U T U R E P R O JE C T S In 2021, the HR Office will be responsible for similar events as carried out last year. These will include, but are not limited to, the following activities: o
Continue to attend TylerTech Munis Configuration Trainings until the systems goes live in July 2021
o
Review and update Judiciary Personnel Rules with relevant regulations and best practices. COVID-19 has added numerous compliance concerns, and the Office would like to amend and complete the Goal 5 deadline
o
Initiate a pay scale for each position and will work on pending matters as discussed with the Director of Courts such as weekly updates, Judiciary calendar and bi-weekly payroll reconciliation with Finance and Accounting. Implement the workforce management training focusing on how sound workforce practices, policies, and procedures help a court achieve legal compliance, and how poor attention to detail, ineffective communication, and lack of follow-through can create employment issues with significant legal consequences.
o
Plan ahead for the Judiciary?s professional development in November.
o
Process employee's notification of personnel action (NOPA) as their expiration date approaches in addition to announcing and filling positions as they become vacant.
The HR Office will continue to coordinate additional training and professional development workshops in 2021 for managers and all other employees.
In for m ation System s Office (From left) Systems Administrator Michael C. Villacrusis, ARPA Information Systems Assistant Kristine D. Laurio, Computer Specialist Jorale James Mendoza, and ARPA Information Systems Support Specialist Rogelio N. Francia
2021 An n u al Repor t | 99
From March 2018 through the 1st quarter of 2021, ISU continued to provided support services to multiple alternate sites while the Guma' Hustisia was in the final phases of reopening. Constant relocation of personnel, courtroom settings, department operations, and public services continued to be the norm for the ISU during this period. The demand for ISU assistance in relocation only increased as areas in the Guma' Hustisia were released for occupancy during the 2nd and 3rd quarters of the year. Though there continued to be government-wide budget cuts and austerity measures, ARPA--just like the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020--became a saving grace in light of a dire situation. Funding under ARPA allowed for the increase of man hours in the ISU to
cope with the high demands of relocation assistance and allowed for the addition of two personnel during the 4th quarter of 2021. Additionally, funds under ARPA will supplement the Judiciary?s budget for needed technology projects The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the daily operations of the NMI Judiciary and the ISU with several measures implemented to accommodate both continuity of operations and safety for personnel and the public. With the end of this global disaster not yet in sight and in preparation for future disasters, technology projects have been planned to accommodate these needs. Social distancing, teleworking, and virtual capabilities has become the norm and projects to promote such measures were initiated in the latter half of 2021..
REL OCATI ON Similar to 2020, ISU spent the better part of 2021 in relocation initiatives brought about by the final phases of the HVAC and Mold Remediation Project, the Guma' Hustisia Home Coming Project, ARPA hiring, and COVID-19 response efforts to accommodate the needs of different departments to ensure continued judicial services. As the HVAC and Mold Remediation Project near completion, most areas of the Guma' Hustisia were shut down and personnel were relocated to alternate locations. All offices that were affected also had to be stripped down of any equipment which was surveyed or safely stored. To meet COVID-19 guidelines, additional relocation efforts had to be made to accommodate social distancing and lessen in person contact. The Guma' Hustisia HomeComing significantly increased the demand for ISU assistance in relocation. This project outlines the return of department offices from alternate sites to areas of the Guma Hustisia that were cleared and turned over for occupancy.
CARES Act Computer Specialist Mark Hidalgo organizing equipment at the Guma' Hustisia Atrium during office relocations.
The FY2022 budget, along with ARPA funding, allowed for the reestablishment of positions and the hiring of new staff. This influx of personnel required the ISU office to relocate or install additional equipment to meet the needs of each department. Judicial Assistants Ignatia C. Aldan and Irene T. San Nicolas's Temporary work station set up by the ISU team.
100 | 2021 An n u al Repor t
STAFFI N G The ISU has regularly had a two-person team with a Systems Administrator and a Computer Specialist. These positions are currently held by Michael Villacrusis, Systems Administrator and Jorale Mendoza, Computer Specialist. Under the CARES Act, three temporary positions were provided to the ISU in the 4th quarter of 2020. Mark Hidalgo, CARES Act Computer Specialist worked under the ISU through January 2021 and later filled a position under the Building Maintenance Office. He has since accepted a systems analyst position with the Superior Court, Clerk of Courts Office where he has put the skill acquired under ISU to use. In the early part of 2021, Mark assisted with relocation efforts, technical support to alternate sites and virtual hearing support. Currently, under the Superior Court, Clerk of Courts Officem, he has assisted the ISU as an additional IT professional that can assist in their office. Under ARPA, two FTEs joined the ISU in the 4th quarter of 2021, Kristine Laurio, ARPA Information Systems Assistant and Rogelio Francia, ARPA Information Systems Support Specialist. Aside from daily tasks with technical support, equipment configurations, and equipment relocation; Kristine has been assisting in procurement and reporting efforts, while Rogelio has been concentrating on the Judiciary?s web site development. These additional hands in the ISU have been the major factor that has allowed projects to move forward and issues with technology within the Judiciary to be resolved
l-r: Michael Villacrusis, Kristine Laurio, Jorale Mendoza, and Rogelio Francia
ARPA PROJECTS Funding under ARPA has supplemented the Judiciary?s fiscal budget for projects that are allowable under the program. Though many of these projects are still in their planning and infancy stages, listed below are the current ARPA projects: E-Courts Project While this project is currently in its infancy phase with project planning and market research being conducted through 2021, the project?s goal is to update the Judiciary?s case management system to a web-based system allowing for a more robust environment. This would provide a system that would give the Judiciary additional capabilities to function during a disaster such as a pandemic without having to mobilize additional equipment. In addition, this update would provide enhance security and online capabilities that the current system lacks.
Computer Specialist Jorale Mendoza setting up a work station at the Guma Hustisia for the Homecoming Project.
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E-Recording Project This project is currently going through the final phases of the procurement process so certain details cannot be disclosed. The general purpose of this project is to provide an E-Recording System that will allow the recording of documents with the Commonwealth Recorder?s Office and access to these documents online. Broadband Infrastructure Project The goal of this project is to provide fast and reliable internet service to the end users, the Judiciary staff, through a series of equipment and infrastructure upgrades. Project planning and market research was conducted in 2021 and a road map for the project has been developed by ISU. A request for quote for fiber optic internet service was sent to the vendor and proposals have been received. Market research and procurement for other equipment needs will continue into 2022 as well as the development of a scope of work for the internal network backbone for the Guma' Hustisia. Court Technology Project Creating an advanced hybrid courtroom that can accommodate both conventional and virtual hearings is a huge undertaking. This is especially true here on the islands where the lack of resources drives project pricing. This project is in the infancy phase and currently undergoing project planning and market research. Systems Administrator Michael Villacrusis was able to attend the 2021 Court Technology Conference to bring back information on the latest technology being utilized by courthouses in other jurisdictions and the latest technology offerings by vendors at the conference. Court Calendar Video Wall and Signage Project To better disseminate information within the NMI Judiciary courthouses in Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, this project is broken down into four phases: the main video wall for court calendars and announcement in the atrium of the Guma Hustisia, the digital signage outside each courtroom for dedicated calendars and language access information, Tinian courthouse display, and Rota courthouse display. The procurement process for the video wall was conducted late 2021, but due to shipping delays, project completion has been moved to January 2022. Project planning, market research, and quote request has been conducted; a purchase order has gone out in
January 2022. The Rota and Tinian projects are currently undergoing quote requests. Department of Corrections Video Conference Project This project provides virtual capabilities between the Department of Corrections (DOC) and the NMI Judiciary to conduct virtual hearings. Equipment for this project has been configured and provided by the Judiciary to DOC and has been installed by DOC personnel. The system is currently in use as of December 2021, but the project has not been completed. Project completion is pending an anti-ligature housing to be provide by the Judiciary. Guma?Hustisia Training Room The Pacific Judicial Council (PJC) will be providing the Judiciary with four laptops for virtual training purposes. To better make use of these equipment a project has been launched to revamp the training room on the 2nd floor of the Guma' Hustisia. ARPA funds will be utilized to make improvements to the space and provide additional equipment for virtual training activities. Steps have been taken in 2021 to renovate the space, acquire furniture and incorporate additional technology for use. The laptops from PJC has been delayed and is expect to be available early 2022 due to shortages and shipping. Judiciary Website Development
ARPA Information Systems Support Specialist Rogelio (?Vhoie?) Francia designs and codes the new website.
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Development of a new NMI Judiciary website with a Dot GOV Domain is underway. The project was started in the 4th quarter of 2021 with Rogelio Francia, ARPA Information Systems Support Specialist, providing inhouse expertise in the design and coding of the new website. The project will update the look and information of the site and provide updated forms and a payment portal. Completion of this project is scheduled for end of the 1st quarter of 2022. Laptops and Other Technology Equipment Aside from the purpose specific projects under ARPA, several equipment purchases are in the planning stages, underway, or completed. Listed below are some updates on this equipment: Laptops: 60 laptops were procured under ARPA and was delivered late December. These laptops are planned to be distributed after all configurations and updates have been completed. The intended purpose for this procurement is to provide equipment to ARPA personnel and other Judiciary personnel that do not have laptops or have outdated equipment. Scanners: 30 scanners were procured under ARPA and have been delivered as of mid-January 2022. Distribution is currently ongoing. Scanners have been provided to ARPA scanning position on Saipan, Tinian,
and Rota as well as alternate scanning sites. The purpose of these equipment is to digitize court documents to be made available online, promoting less in person contact. Video Conferencing Equipment: Additional video conferencing cameras, web cams, and speakers have been procured or are in the procurement process. This additional equipment is for the enhancement of the Judiciary?s virtual capabilities. Copiers: Project is currently in the planning stages. Printers: Project is currently in the planning stages. Digital Recording Equipment: currently in the planning stages.
Project
is
Kotten Tinian & Centron Hustisia Projects mentioned above include some updates in technology for the Tinian and Rota courthouses. Other projects directly for these locations include the installation of security camera systems on both islands which are accessible online. This system will capture recordings of courthouse activities for general security and can be used for contact tracing purposes. Additional screens are also being procured to promote virtual capabilities and contactless information dissemination.
ARPA Information Systems Support Specialist Rogelio (?Vhoie?) Francia and ARPA Information Systems Assistant Kristine Laurio programming the 60 laptops procured for ARPA and other Judiciary personnel
2021 An n u al Repor t | 103
O T H E R P R O JE C T S Guma Hustisia Security Camera Project This project has been an ongoing project that has met several difficulties. The project was initiated after the Department of Homeland Security released a ban on the installation of several security camera brands in federal buildings. While the Judiciary?s security system was due for an upgrade, this ban was an opportunity to completely revamp the system to allow for future proofing. The project called for the installation of a entirely new system that was within the federal government standards and would utilize networking technology instead of analog. The first major hurdle was finding a system that would meet the standards. Project planning and market research took several months and being in our physical location
provided its own challenges in vendor availability and equipment supplies. Further issues that have been delaying this project involve global issues such as computer chip shortages, supply chain issues, and closures in different manufacturing sectors. The project is still ongoing. Digital Recorder Upgrade Project Currently, four updated digital recorders have been purchased and installed in the Superior Court under local funds and CARES Act funds. Two additional units are on order, but due to world-wide computer chip shortages, manufacturing closures, and supply line issues, these units have not yet been delivered. These units will be installed in the remaining Superior Court courtroom and in the
Supreme Court courtroom. Plans to outfit the Rota and Tinian courthouse are also underway. Guma' Hustisia Building Wide Wi-Fi Project Funded under both the local funds and ARPA funds, this project aims to distribute a unified Wi-Fi system throughout the Guma' Hustisia through the installation of access points and a centralized controller. The project provides additional broadband access to a wider range of users without the need for additional lines and installations. Having a centralized control system also stream lines maintenance and management while providing additional security. This project was completed on September 2022.
Installation of security camera monitors at the Marshal Service Office.
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OTHER ACTIVITIES 2021 Court Technology Conference (CTC) The 2021 CTC was held in Columbus, Ohio on September 27-29, 2021. The last CTC the NMI Judiciary participated in was in 2017. After 4 years, the Judiciary was able to send Michael Villacrusis, Systems Administrator to another CTC. This conference focuses on new technology available to the courts system and provides an opportunity for court professionals to link with vendors and experts in the field. Judiciary Professional Development Conference The ISU was in charge of equipment logistics, setup and coordination with venue technicians for the Conference. It was also tasked with two presentations. Systems Administratior Michael Villacrusis presented on the Court Technology Strategic Plan and Rogelio Francia presented on the Judiciary?s Rebranding. Rogelio Francia also served as the official photographer for this event. Systems Administrator Michael Villacrusis attended 2021 CTC held in Columbus, Ohio.
ARPA Information Systems Support Specialist Rogelio Francia presents on the Judiciary Branding.
Systems Administrator Michael Villacrusis presents on the Court Technology Strategic Plan at the 2021 Professional Development Conference.
2021 An n u al Repor t | 105
Acting Chief Marshal Roemar M. Segotier presenting the Marshals Service Division's strategic plan to the Bench and Judiciary staff during the annual Professional Development Conference. (November 22, 2021)
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M I SSI ON To provide a safe and secure environment for the Judicial Branch of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; ensure that the judicial process can function freely, without threats, intimidation, or violence; and to diligently execute all writs, processes, warrants and orders of the Court; assist and serve the people of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Security and Public Safety is our goal.
V I SI ON Our vision and values are to maintain a safe judicial environment where members of the division strive to provide the maximum security and safety to the Judicial Branch and its patrons; have high moral values and ethics appropriate for a law enforcement agency; be compassionate, courteous and patient, acting without fear or prejudice to the rights of others; and discharge our duties consistent with our Oath of Office and the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics.
O B JE C T I V E S - To implement the twelve Court Security Standards & Best Practices. - To provide adequate security, protection & law enforcement services in and around courthouse facilities. - To gather, maintain and generate statistics. - To provide adequate training to staff and meet the 40 hours mandatory training hours. - To address security critical areas and needs and secure funding. - To facilitate coordination with law enforcement responders and conduct evacuation drills three times a year. - To facilitate and establish a court security committee. - To work on legislation establishing overtime pay.
Judiciary Law Enforcement Firearm Annual Qualification accompanied by the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services Fire Marshals. (October 6-7, 2021)
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H I STORY - PUBL I C L AW 17-41 The Marshals Service Division was first created by the Judicial Council, and its creation was later ratified and codified by Public Law 17-41 in May 2011. PL 17-41 defined the authority, duties, responsibilities and functions of the Marshals Service Division, while specifically authorizing the Marshals Service Division to perform duties involving the service of court processes and protection of the courts.
JUDI CI ARY EN FORCEM EN T AN D SECURI TY STATI STI CS Bar Graph 5: Detainees and Arrestees Brought to Court and Remanded to D.O.C.
Bar Graph 6: Court Processes and Orders
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Deputy Marshals Sherla Sablan, Leon Lizama (below), and Eric Esteves (right photo) operate the new Xray scanner. All marshals received specialized training in identifying prohibited objects and substances.
Table 31: Staffing Tit le
Nam e
Locat ion
Chief Marshal
Jason T. Tarkong
Saipan
Deputy Marshal III
Jesus S. Santos
Saipan
Deputy Marshal III
Roemar M. Segotier
Saipan
Deputy Marshal I
Jason T. Camacho
Saipan
Deputy Marshal I
Leon L. Lizama II
Saipan
Deputy Marshal I
Maria P. M. Tudela
Saipan
Deputy Marshal I
Eric B. Esteves
Saipan
Deputy Marshal I
Scottie S. Aguon
Saipan
Deputy Marshal I
Jonathan B. Limes
Saipan
Deputy Marshal I
Sherla M. M. Sablan
Rota
Deputy Marshal I
Rudynna L. Walker
Tinian
2021 An n u al Repor t | 109
Table 32: Staff Training (On-site/Online) Cou r se 1.
Emergency Preparedness
2.
Escorting and Transporting Inmates
3.
Workplace Harassment
4.
Workplace Violence
5.
Firearms Re-certification
6.
Homeland Security (Terrorist Deterrence and prevention, hazardous, and etc.)
7.
Officer Survival
8.
Combat Defense
9.
Smith Detection HITRAX Dual View Operator Training
10. Court Security
P R O JE C T S A N D A C C O M P L I SH M E N T S -
Four staff returned for duty under the American Rescue Plan Act funding source.
-
Two new Deputy Marshals were hired: - In August, Jonathan Limes began service as Deputy Marshal I for MSD at Guma Hustisia. - In September, Rudynna Walker was hired to serve as Deputy Marshal I for Kotten Tinian.
-
Phase 1 of the CCTV system began with installation of new cameras at the Guma' Hustisia.
-
The Marshals Service Division is coordinating with the Department of Public Safety to draft an Evacuation Drill Plan for all types of disasters.
-
New and existing employees participated in firearms training and certification.
-
The COVID-19 Screening and Security Zone was equipped with a new and fully operational x-ray scanner.
-
Limited manpower did not stop the Marshals Service Division from effectively maintaining crowd control and court security.
-
The armory was relocated for heightened security.
-
Evidence and exhibits previously stored in the Marshals Service Division's office were moved back to the Clerk of Court's office.
-
In October, the Great Shake Out Earthquake Drill was conducted in collaboration with Drug Court and Probation Officers.
Deputy Marshal Jonathan Limes takes the oath.
Installation of state-of-the-art Xray scanner.
Deputy Marshals Lizama, Limes and Santos discuss Great Shake Out protocol.
Dep. III Segotier discusses security plans.
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W ORK I N G W I TH OUR PARTN ER AGEN CI ES
CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) Provides law enforcement training to MSD officers. In time of assistance for natural disasters HSEM activates MSD for EOC operations. HSEM has provided MSD with PPE to stay safe during the Covid-19 pandemic, such as gloves, hand sanitizers, etc.
Guam/US Marshals Provided Bench Protection and Defensive Tactics (DT) training to MSD. The Marshals are now better prepared to provide personal security to all Justices/Judge, detainees, and court staff.
Drug Court Division Assist Drug Court officers with drug testing observation, provide security for after hours event and transport of remanded participants to DOC.
Drug Court Officers have assisted MSD on evacuation drills.
Office of Adult Probation Supervision Assist Probation officers with drug testing observation.
Office of Pr ocu r em en t
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The Office of Procurement continues to provide services while practicing health and safety precautions due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (?COVID-19?) pandemic. The Office of Procurement is committed to providing supplies, issuing procurement publications, and executing contracts; providing for the fair and equitable treatment of all persons involved in public procurement by the Judiciary; to maximize the purchasing value of public funds in procurement good and services; and providing safeguards for maintaining a procurement system of quality and integrity. The Office of Procurement responded to the coronavirus pandemic by remaining flexible and taking advantage of available technology. Beginning on October 01, 2021, the Judiciary began utilizing Tyler Technologies MUNIS Software (?MUNIS?) for financials and procurement. Procurement using the MUNIS system streamlines the procurement life cycle from requisition to purchase, with an e-purchasing module to handle purchases, contracts, reviews and requests. It reduces costs and ensures compliance, accountability, and audit readiness.
Procurement Officer Fermin B. Dela Cruz
From January 01, 2021 until November 14, 2021 under then-Procurement Officer Martha B. Mendiola the Office of Procurement successfully processed 249 requisitions and issued 249 purchase orders; published 4 Invitations to Bid, Request for Proposals, etc.; held 4 pre-proposal, pre-bid, and negotiation meetings; and executed 6 contracts and 3 change orders.
The ISO employees received and configured 50 Dell Latitude 9420 14? Laptops procured for the Judiciary staff. (December 09, 2021).
Former Procurement Officer Martha B. Mendiola
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Table 33: Procurement Services Pu r ch ase Or der s
Pu blicat ion s Con t r act s (i.e. ITB, (in clu din g RFP, et c) ch an ge
January
23
1
4
February
14
0
1
March
3
0
1
April
7
0
1
May
19
1
0
June
16
0
0
July
27
1
0
August
35
1
0
September 48
0
1
October
10
0
1
November
116
0
1
M on t h
From November 15, 2021 until December 31, 2021 under current Procurement Officer Fermin B. Dela Cruz, the Office of Procurement successfully processed 121 requisitions and issued 121 purchase orders; published 1 Invitation to Bid, Request for Proposals, etc.; held 1 pre-proposal, pre-bid, and 0 negotiation meeting; and executed 1 contract. The Office of Procurement held negotiation meetings using a virtual format, while also participating in in-person meetings, maintaining six-feet social distancing, and properly wearing face masks. By utilizing a virtual meeting platform like Microsoft Teams, it allowed the Office of Procurement to continue its normal work in procurement matters in as timely a manner as possible where in-person participation was not feasible.
Procurement Officer/Program Specialist Fermin B. Dela Cruz, bottom left, December 52 1 0 signing his Oath of Office that was TOTAL 370 5 10 administered by Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro, at the NMI Judiciary?s 2021 Professional Development Conference at Kensington Hotel. (November 23, 2021). bottom right: Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro swearing in five Judiciary personnel-Procurement Officer/Programs Specialist Fermin B. Dela Cruz, Law Revision Commission Executive Director Dean M. Palacios, Deputy General Counsel Matthew J. Brown, General Counsel Hyun Jae Lee, and ARPA Administrator Martha B. Mendiola during the NMI Judiciary?s 2021 Professional Development Conference at Kensington Hall, Saipan.
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TRAI N I N G Former Procurement Officer Martha B. Mendiola participated in a series of trainings in preparation for the CNMI Government?s transition from JD Edwards to Munis and other CNMI Judiciary trainings. The then-Procurement Officer participated in the following trainings: Purchasing, Bid Management, ReadyForms, Vendor Self Service, Contract Management, and Approvals.
Table 34: Procurement Training Dat e
Tr ain in g
February 26, 2021
Flourish-Data Visualization Workshop
March 19, 2021
Mandatory Training on Policies
April 12, 2021
Purchasing Power User Process Training
April 14, 2021
Bid Management Power User Process Training
April 22, 2021
ReadyForms Review and Testing
April 26, 2021
Vendor Self Service Power User Processing Training
May 14, 2021
Mandatory Training on Anti-Bullying Policy
May 17, 2021
Purchasing Process Review Training
May 19, 2021
Bid Management Process Review Training
June 7, 2021
Purchasing Process Review Training
June 25, 2021
ADA Training
July 7, 2021
Purchasing Process Review Training
July 8, 2021
Contracts Management Process Review Training
July 14, 2021
PJC Secondary Trauma
July 14, 2021
Bid Management Process Review Training
August 11, 2021
MUNIS Approver - End User Training
August 31, 2021
Non-Discrimination Policy Training
October 14, 2021
Difficult Conversations Webinar
November 29, 2021
SUPREME COURT NO. 2021-ADM-0017-MSC Training
Year 2 of t h e Pan dem ic: A Special Repor t | 115
Year 2 of the Pandem ic
A Sp ec i a l Rep o r t This Special Report docum ent s t he changes t hat occurred wit hin t he Judiciary due t o t he COVID-19 pandem ic. The year 2021 cont inued t o bring about unique challenges t o t he Judiciary. For m ost of t he year, t he Judiciary im plem ent ed m easures t o prevent t he spread of COVID-19, including procuring sanit izat ion and personal prot ect ive equipm ent t hrough t he CARES Act and ARPA funds. The Suprem e Court also issued m ult iple COVID-19 orders, m andat ing precaut ionary healt h m easures for court st aff and pat rons and launched a large-scale scanning project t o digit ize files and form s for rem ot e access. Virt ual hearings were conduct ed for bot h t he Superior and Suprem e Court m at t ers, and video-conferencing was widely used for court m eet ings. Despit e t he challenges, t he Judiciary adapt ed accordingly t o m ake progress in year t wo of t he pandem ic.
116 | Year 2 of t h e Pan dem ic: A Special Repor t
The Judiciary submitted reports to the Department of Finance detailing projects funded by CARES Act and ARPA. The reports provided thousands of pages of contracts, time sheets, financials, and procurement documents, making any future audit by federal and Commonwealth agencies less burdensome. Expenditures are "audit-ready."
Year 2 of t h e Pan dem ic: A Special Repor t | 117
CARES ACT CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY ACT Th e CARES Act is an econ om ic stim u l u s bil l passed by th e Un ited States Con gr ess an d sign ed in to l aw by Pr esiden t Don al d J. Tr u m p on M ar ch 27, 2020, in r espon se to COVID-19. In M ay 2020, th e U.S. Depar tm en t of Tr easu r y r em itted $36,284,217.70 to th e CNM I Execu tive Br an ch in CARES Act fu n din g. On Ju n e 19, 2020, th e Depar tm en t of Fin an ce (?DOF?) al l ocated $1.8 m i l l i on to th e Ju diciar y. On Ju l y 14, 2020, th e Ju diciar y su bm itted a Spen din g Pl an (?th e Pl an ?) for th e al l otted $1.8 m il l ion . As a fu n d r ecipien t, th e Ju diciar y m u st adh er e to Section 601(a) of th e Social Secu r ity Act, as in cor por ated by Section 5001 of th e CARES Act. Section 601(a) pr ovides th at th e CARES Act al l ocation m ay on l y be u sed to cover : n ecessar y expen ditu r es in cu r r ed du e to COVID-19 pu bl ic h eal th em er gen cy; costs n ot accou n ted for in th e bu dget m ost r ecen tl y appr oved for th e Com m on weal th as of M ar ch 27, 2020 (th e date of en actm en t of th e CARES Act); an d expen ses in cu r r ed fr om M ar ch 1, 2020 to Decem ber 30, 2020. In Decem ber 2020, Con gr ess passed a n ew COVID-19 r el ief bil l as par t of th e Con sol i d at ed Ap p r op r i at i on s Act , 2021 (?Act ?). Pr esiden t Don al d J. Tr u m p sign ed th e Act in to l aw on Decem ber 27, 2020. Th e Act exten ds th e deadl in e for th e Cor on avir u s Rel ief Fu n d fr om
Decem ber 30, 2020 to Decem ber 31, 2021. It does n ot pr ovide addition al dir ect aid to th e states an d ter r itor ies. As a r esu l t, in Jan u ar y an d Febr u ar y, th e Ju diciar y con tin u ed on goin g pr ojects. Th ese pr ojects in cl u ded th e con str u ction of th e COVID-19 Secu r ity an d Scr een in g Zon e ("SSZ"), in stal l in g san itizin g equ ipm en t, an d secu r in g al ter n atives sites for CARES Act em pl oyees. Th e m ajor ity of fu l l -tim e CARES per son n el em pl oyees com pl eted th eir con tr acts on Jan u ar y 31, 2021. Th e SSZ, wh ich u ses state of th e ar t air fil tr ation an d san itation tech n ol ogy to scr een visitor s for COVID-19 exposu r e, was com pl eted on Febr u ar y 6, 2021. Th r ou gh ou t 2021, th e Ju diciar y h as u til ized avail abl e r esou r ces an d m an power to com bat COVID-19 at its facil ities. Ou r effor ts in cl u ded ou tfittin g staff with tech n ol ogy to per m it tel ewor k in g, vir tu al tel econ fer en cin g, an d en h an cin g th e avail abil ity of el ectr on ic fil in g. In addition , em pl oyees h ave been con sisten tl y stock ed with per son al pr otective equ ipm en t an d san itization su ppl ies. Ju diciar y em pl oyees h ave been dil igen t an d pr u den t wh en wor k in g on CARES Act pr ojects, an d par t-tim e CARES Act em pl oyees h ave stayed on to cl ose ou t pr ojects.
Cleaning Company staff sanitizing the Supreme Court reception area.
The SSZ undergoesplaza compacting. (January 20, 2021)
118 | Year 2 of t h e Pan dem ic: A Special Repor t
B
Guma' Hustisia former main entryway
T he COV I D - 19 Scr een i n g a n d Secur i t y Zon e ( SSZ) Th e COVID-19 Scr een in g an d Secu r ity Zon e was m ade possibl e by fu n ds fr om th e 2020 Cor on avir u s Aid, Rel ief, an d Econ om ic Secu r ity Act (CARES Act) in r espon se to th e pan dem ic. Th e CARES Act?s Cor on avir u s Rel ief Fu n d pr ovided fin an cial assistan ce to states, ter r itor ies an d tr ibal gover n m en ts to cover u n bu dgeted bu t n ecessar y expen ditu r es in cu r r ed du e to th e COVID-19 pu bl ic h eal th em er gen cy. Th e Ju diciar y devoted m u ch of its CARES Act fu n din g to bu il d th e Scr een in g an d Secu r ity Zon e with adequ ate space for cou r t visitor s to distan ce th em sel ves an d san itization equ ipm en t to el im in ate th e vir u s. Con str u ction of th e 2,400 squ ar e foot facil ity took abou t five m on th s? fr om Septem ber 2020 to Febr u ar y 2021.
Screening and Security Zone, completed February 2021
Year 2 of t h e Pan dem ic: A Special Repor t | 119
Biolux Ultra-Violet Lamps
Healthe Cleanse FAR-UVC Entry Portal
Hygeaire
GUM A' H USTI SI A UV SAN I TI ZATI ON PROJECT On Jan u ar y 25, 2021, two Biol u x u l tr a-viol et l igh t l am p stan ds wer e del iver ed to th e Ju diciar y. Th ese u l tr a-viol et stan ds k il l 99% of al l air bor n e an d su r face path ogen s with in a 40-foot diam eter in u n der 10 m in u tes. Cu r r en tl y, th e Ju diciar y u ses m u l tipl e m eth ods to k il l vir u ses an d bacter ia in offices an d pu bl ic ar eas. Th e Biol u x l am p su r face cl ean er s u se u l tr a-viol et l igh t to pu r ify th e air of path ogen s an d m ol d in occu pied an d n on -occu pied spaces, as wel l as to cl ean th e Ju diciar y?s fu r n itu r e an d H VAC system . Pr ior m ol d testin g of th e air du cts in dicated th at a on e-tim e over n igh t dr en ch in g with u l tr a-viol et l igh t cou l d com pl etel y er adicate m ol d an d l ead to cl ear -air test r esu l ts. Cl ean se tr offer s ar e ceil in g m ou n ted in str u m en ts design ed specifical l y to m ain tain fr esh air qu al ity. Th e tr offer s ar e in stal l ed in th e SSZ ceil in g. Th ey pu r ify th e air an d pr ovide r egu l ar l igh t fu n ction .. Th ey oper ate by in gestin g air th at is r u n th r ou gh a par ticu l ate H EPA fil ter. Th e air is th en tr eated by UV ger m icidal ir r adiation l igh t of th e 253.7 n m spectr u m with n o UV r ay exposu r e to h u m an s.
Cleanse Troffers
Stan d-u p air pu r ifier s fr om Ligh t Pr ogr ess-USA LLC con tain fil ter s th at pr ocess air at appr oxim atel y 100 cu bic feet per m in u te. Th ese pu r ifier s wil l be m oved per iodical l y to am pl ify air cl ean in g in ar eas h eavil y u sed by Ju diciar y staff an d pu bl ic. Th e H eal th e Cl ean se FAR-UVC En tr y Por tal em its l igh t th at in activates vir u ses, bacter ia, an d oth er h ar m fu l m icr obes by disr u ptin g gen etic m ater ial (DNA, RNA) an d pr even tin g r epl ication . Th e cl ean se occu r s with ou t dam agin g effects to h u m an sk in associated with oth er con ven tion al ger m icidal u l tr a viol et l igh t exposu r e. Th e in visibl e l igh t wil l ster il ize m icr oor gan ism s th at m ay be cl in gin g to cl oth in g, per son al bel on gin gs, h air ,or exposed sk in . Addition al H ygeair e u n its wer e pr ocu r ed to th or ou gh l y disin fect cou r tr oom spaces to pr even t th e spr ead of COVID-19 in th e Ju diciar y.
Stand-up Air Purifier
120 | Year 2 of t h e Pan dem ic: A Special Repor t
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT On M ar ch 10, 2021, in an ticipation of th e en actm en t of th e $1.9 tr il l ion Am er ican Rescu e Pl an Act (ARPA), th e Ju diciar y su bm itted an in itial spen din g pl an of $24.1 m il l ion to Gover n or Ral ph DLG. Tor r es. A l ittl e over a m on th l ater , on Apr il 14, 2021, it su bm itted a r evised spen din g pl an cal l in g for a $27 m il l ion ARPA al l ocation , wh ich captu r ed costs n ecessar y to addr ess th e pu bl ic h eal th em er gen cy an d to m itigate th e effects of COVID-19. On M ay 17, 2021, th e Un ited States Depar tm en t of th e Tr easu r y r el eased $481,876,521.00 of th e Cor on avir u s State an d Local Fiscal Recover y Fu n ds to th e CNM I Execu tive Br an ch . At th e Law Day Pr ocl am ation Sign in g Cer em on y on M ay 24, Gover n or Ral ph DLG. Tor r es an n ou n ced h is com m itm en t to give th e Ju diciar y $10 m il l ion in ARPA fu n ds in 2021 an d addition al fu n ds at a l ater tim e. Su bsequ en tl y, on Ju n e 4, 2021, th e Office of th e Gover n or awar ded th e Ju diciar y $13,160,703. Con sisten t with U.S. Tr easu r y Gu idel in es, th e over al l objectives of ARPA spen din g ar e su stain in g ju dicial ser vices on Rota, Saipan , an d Tin ian ; r etr ofittin g an d im pr ovin g facil ities an d in fr astr u ctu r e; pr even tin g th e spr ead of COVID-19; al l owin g for social distan cin g; en h an cin g tech n ol ogy for r em ote h ear in gs an d ser vices; an d r edu cin g cou r t back l ogs. An in -h ou se ARPA com m ittee com posed of cou r t staff h as been m eetin g sin ce ear l y 2021. Th e Com m ittee m eets week l y to over see pr ojects, in cl u din g im pl em en tation of safety m easu r es, pr ocu r em en t of san itization su ppl ies, an d th e m odification of cou r t oper ation s to en su r e a safe en vir on m en t for staff an d patr on s. In 2021, th e Ju diciar y h ir ed a total of 30 fu l l -tim e
ARPA Dep. M ar sh al I Er ic B. Esteves con du cts tem per atu r e ch eck at SSZ. (Decem ber 16, 2021)
em pl oyees fu n ded en tir el y u n der ARPA. Oth er staff, except for ben ch m em ber s, saw a 10% sal ar y in cr ease, an d ARPA fu n din g pr ovided for 10% of em pl oyees? total obl igation s on th eir Notice of Per son n el Action fr om Ju n e 21, 2021 - Septem ber 30, 2021, an d 20% effective October 1, 2021. Th e pan dem ic h as for ced cou r t pr oceedin gs to be con du cted in cr easin gl y th r ou gh th e u se of videocon fer en cin g tech n ol ogy. Th e In for m ation System s Office (ISO), m ade possibl e by ARPA, facil itates el ectr on ic com m u n ication s an d vir tu al h ear in gs to en su r e th at cou r t oper ation s con tin u e wh il e k eepin g staff an d visitor s as safe as possibl e. Th r ee ISO h ir es wer e m ade in 2021. Th ese em pl oyees ar e r espon sibl e for com pil in g data on cou r t tech n ol ogy pr ojects, m ain tain in g an d adm in ister in g com pu ter s an d oth er per iph er al devices in a dom ain -based n etwor k , an d r edesign in g an d r ebu il din g th e cu r r en t website. ARPA fu n din g h as al so sign ifican tl y aided th e l on gstan din g scan n in g pr oject, an effor t to digitize fil es datin g back to Tr u st Ter r itor y tim e. In 2021, six scan n in g cl er k s, wh o r eview an d com pil e al l cou r t docu m en ts for scan n in g, wer e h ir ed. ARPA fu n ds h ave al so en abl ed th e san itization of cou r t bu il din gs. Ul tr aviol et equ ipm en t, in cl u din g H ygeair es, n ow cl ean an d pu r ify u pper r oom air in occu pied spaces in or der to r edu ce th e r isk of cr oss in fection an d exposu r e of occu pan ts to in fectiou s air bor n e m icr obes. Ul tr aviol et tr offer s pr ovide power fu l disin fection on su r faces, su ch as desk s, tabl es, an d h an dr ail s. Al l cou r th ou ses on Rota, Saipan an d Tin ian ar e equ ipped with th e l atest san itizin g equ ipm en t an d devices.
Ju diciar y m eets with th e Depar tm en t
of Fin an ce to discu ss ARPA. (Novem ber 8, 2021)
ARPA Com m ittee M eetin g. (October 28, 2021)
Year 2 of t h e Pan dem ic: A Special Repor t | 121
PERSONNEL Table 35: FY 2021 Personnel List ing - 100% ARPA Funded
Between Ju n e 1, 2021, to Decem ber 31, 2021, th e Ju diciar y h ir ed th ir ty (30) fu l l -tim e em pl oyees wh o ar e 100% fu n ded u n der ARPA. Su bsequ en tl y, th e Ju diciar y appr oved a ten per cen t (10%) ARPA-fu n ded sal ar y in cr ease acr oss th e boar d except for th e ben ch m em ber s. Un der Pu bl ic Law 22-08, th e fiscal year bu dget, pr ovides on l y 80% fu n din g for Ju diciar y per son n el , 20% in fiscal sh or tfal l for ced th e Ju diciar y to u se ARPA fu n din g to m eet em pl oyees' total obl igation s on th eir Notice of Per son n el Action ("NOPA"). For au ditin g pu r poses, th e Ju diciar y r equ ir es al l ARPA position s to su bm it a Dail y W or k Su m m ar y wh ich ou tl in es task s per for m ed th r ou gh ou t th e day. See Table 35 for Per sonnel Listing. See Table 36 for 10 % ARPA funded per sonnel listing. See Table 37 for 20 % ARPA funded per sonnel listing
No.
Tit le
Nam e
1
* Human Resources/Admin. Specialist
Dela Cruz, Fermin B.
2
* Deputy Marshal I
Esteves, Eric B.
3
* Deputy Marshal I
Aguon, Scottie Lee S.
4
* Deputy Marshal I (Rota)
Sablan, Sherla Mae M.
5
* Deputy Clerk I
Togawa, Lana Jean C.
6
* Caseworker I
Rabago, Timothy A.
7
* Probation Officer I
Deleon Guerrero, Timothy
8
* Administrative Specialist I
Tudela, Gregory U.
9
* Assistant Probation Officer
Cabrera, Susan Marie G.
10
* Deputy Marshal
Limes, Jonathan B.
11
* Compliance Officer
Royal, Kevin Blake T.
12
ARPA Administrative Officer
Salas, Roy V.
13
* Deputy Marshal I (Tinian)
Walker, Rudynna L.
14
Deputy General Counsel
Brown, Matthew J.
15
* Specialty Courts Coordinator
Bocago, Brian S.
16
ARPA Administrator
Mendiola, Martha B.
17
ARPA Information Systems Project
Gray, Michael S.
18
ARPA Information Systems Project Support
Francia, Rogelio N.
19
ARPA Scanning Clerk - Superior COC
Cabrera, Jan Christin S.
20
ARPA Scanning Clerk - Superior COC (Rota)
Manglona, Elvira Veronica
21
ARPA Scanning Clerk - JAO
Limes, Tracy D.
22
ARPA Scanning Clerk - Superior COC (Rota)
King, Micca B.
23
ARPA Information Systems Project Assistant
Laurio, Kristine Joy D.
24
ARPA Paralegal
Glass, Mary Bernadette C.
25
* Probation Officer I
Cruz, Timothy Jerome L.
26
* Assistant Probation Officer
Calantog, Wilson Brian C.
27
* Caseworker I
Tenorio, Joy Kim
28
ARPA Scanning Clerk - Superior COC
Matagolai, Pearleen B.
29
* Deputy Clerk I
Tudela, Gregorio U.
30
ARPA Scanning Clerk - Supreme COC
Vergara, Leonora T.
122 | Year 2 of t h e Pan dem ic: A Special Repor t Table 36: FY2021 Personnel List ing - 10% ARPA Funded NO.
TITLE
NAME
1
Deput y Clerk II
Ada, Rosie Jane T.
2
Judicial Assist ant t o Associat e Just ice
Aldan, Ignat ia Marie C.
3
Clerk of Court , Supreme
Aldan, Judy T.
4
Family Court Services Specialist
Arboleda, Arlyn B.
5
Deput y Clerk I - Rot a
Barcinas, Delia Marie C.
6
Probat ion Officer II
Bermudes-Rasa, Mat hilde H.
7
Law Clerk
Borja, Carmen V.
8
Deput y Clerk of Court
Borja, Nora V.
9
St aff At t orney
Brown, Mat t hew J.
10
St aff At t orney
Brown, Mat t hew J.
11
Deput y Clerk I
Calvo, Eva Sophia P.
12
Communit y Supervision Officer
Camacho, Frankie B.
13
Deput y Marshal I
Camacho, Jason T.
14
Probat ion Officer I
Camacho, Priscillia C.
15
Chamber Administ rat or
Camacho, Rose Lynet t e M.
16
Direct or of Court s
Camacho, Sonia A.
17
Law Clerk
Cenac, Gregory P.
18
Adminisrat ive/ Human Resource Specialist
Dela Cruz, Fermin John B.
19
Judicial Assist ant t o Associat e Judge
Dela Cruz, Sabrina Lynn
20
Judicial Assist ant t o Associat e Judge
Dela Cruz, Vivian S.
21
Dat a Syst ems Analyst
Demapan, John Jerome B.
22
Drug Court Manager
Diaz, Edward Jude P.
23
Clerk of Court , Superior
Diaz, Pat rick V.
24
Law Clerk
Dombrowski, Emily N.
25
Judicial Assist ant t o Associat e Just ice
Est rada, Josephine N.
26
Account ant I
Flores, Shanna Mae W.
27
Law Clerk
Francis, Branwen B.
28
Commonwealt h Recorder
George, Kelsey O.
29
Human Resources/Administ rat ive Officer
Guerrero, Michelle V.
30
Law Clerk
Ogumoro, Rellani B.
31
Websit e Office Manager
Hicking, Albert A.
32
Building and Grounds Maint enance Worker
Hidalgo, Mark G.
33
Probat ion Officer I
Higgins, Berliann P.
34
Probat ion Officer II
Iguel, Weena Gwendolyn T.
35
Law Clerk
Layde, John Brendan
36
Deput y Marshal I
Lizama, Leon L. II
37
Judicial Assist ant t o Associat e Judge
Magofna, Delia S.
38
Law Clerk
Mang, Robert E.
39
Deput y Clerk II
Mendiola, Daisy Rina S.
40
Program Specialist / Procurement Officer
Mendiola, Mart ha B.
41
Comput er Specialist
Mendoza, Jorale James A.
42
Probat ion Officer I
Moses, Nadia Mae B.
Year 2 of t h e Pan dem ic: A Special Repor t | 123 Table 37: FY2021 Personnel Listing- 10% ARPA Funded (continuation) NO.
TITLE
NAME
43
Executive Legal Assistant
Palacios, Dean M.
44
Deputy Clerk I - Tinian
Pangelinan, Joann A.
45
Probation Officer I
Piteg, Benjie Tyron G.
46
Law Clerk
Robinson, Brian John
47
Caseworker I
Sablan, Dolores B.
48
Family Court Manager
Sablan, Queanna C.
49
Chamber Administrator
San Nicolas, Irene T.
50
Judicial Assistant to Associate Judge
Santos, Rebecca R.
51
Deputy Marshal III
Segotier, Roemar M.
52
Deputy Clerk I
Shiprit, Okalani R.
53
Chief Probation Officer
Simram, Simram W.
54
Grants Administrator
Stowell, James W.
55
Chief Marshal
Tarkong, Jason T.
56
Deputy Clerk I
Tereyama, Adeline C.
57
Deputy Marshal I
58
Table 37: FY2021 Personnel List ing: 20% ARPA Funded No.
Tit le
NAm e
1
Deputy Clerk II
Ada, Rosie Jane T.
Tudela, Maria M.
2
Family Court Services Specialist
Arboleda, Arlyn B.
Special Assistant to the Presiding Judge
Vazquez, Rochelle Lylette
3
Deputy Clerk I- Rota
Barcinas, Delia Maria C.
4
Deputy Marshal I
Camacho, Jason T.
59
Systems Administrator
Villacrusis, Michael C. 5
Director of Courts
Camacho, Sonia A.
60
Budget and Finance Director
Villagomez, John T.
6
Law Clerk
Cenac, Gregory P.
61
Deputy Clerk III
Wania-Tenorio, Novelyn A.
7
Judicial Assistant to Associate Judge
Dela Cruz, Vivian S.
62
Building Superintendent
Weaver, Gerald E.
8
Accountant I
Flores, Shanna Mae W.
9
Commonwealth Recorder
George, Kelsey O.
10
Deputy Marshal I
Lizama, Leon L., II
11
Judicial Assistant to Associate Judge
Magofna, Delia S.
12
Deputy Clerk II
Mendiola, Daisy Rina S.
13
Deputy Clerk I- Tinian
Pangelinan, Joann A.
14
Law Clerk
Robinson, Brian John
15
Chamber Administrator
San Nicolas, Irene T.
16
Judicial Assistant to Associate Judge
Santos, Rebecca R.
17
Deputy Clerk I
Shiprit, Okalani R.
18
Deputy Clerk I
Tereyama, Adeline C.
19
Deputy Marshal I
Tudela, Maria M.
20
System Administrator
Villacrusis, Michael C.
21
Deputy Clerk III
Wania-Tenorio, Novelyn A.
22
Building Superintendent
Weaver, Gerald E.
124 | Year 2 of t h e Pan dem ic: A Special Repor t
ARPA PROJECTS
Fr esh l y m ain tain ed l awn at th e fr on t of th e Gu m a' H u stisia. (Decem ber 11, 2021)
GUMA' HUSTISIA GROUNDS
MAINTENANCE On October 19, 2021, th e Ju diciar y sol icited qu otation s for gr ou n ds m ain ten an ce an d l an dscapin g ser vices for th e Gu m a' H u stisia an d l ater en ter ed in to a sh or t-ter m con tr act. Th e Facil ities Division is com pr ised of on l y two em pl oyees, m ak in g th e ser vices con tr act n ecessar y for th e con sisten t u pk eep of Gu m a' H u stisia gr ou n ds, especial l y after fu l l bu il din g oper ation was r estor ed in l ate 2021 after com pl etion of th e H VAC an d m ol d r em ediation pr oject.
Con tr actor pr ovides week l y gr ou n ds m ain ten an ce at th e Gu m a' H u stisia. (Decem ber 21, 2021)
Ser vices in cl u ded m owin g, weedin g br u sh cu ttin g, tr ee tr im m in g, m u l ch in g, l an dscape design , pl an tin g/ seedin g, debr is r em oval , an d oth er r el ated wor k . Th e con tr act total for th r ee m on th s is $5,250.00.
Year 2 of t h e Pan dem ic: A Special Repor t | 125
Newl y in stal l ed m on itor s for th e Secu r ity Cam er a system at th e Gu m a' H u stisia wer e fu n ded by ARPA. (Decem ber 1, 2021)
MARSHALS SERVICE DIVISION Work Station Surveillance Monitors Acqu isition of addition al m on itor s en abl es fu l l su r veil l an ce of th e Gu m a' H u stisia fr om th e M ar sh al s Ser vice Division ("M SD"). Th e m on itor s, al on g with n ew cam er as, assist th e Division in car r yin g ou t its cou r t secu r ity m ission , as wel l as en for cin g COVID-19 pr otocol s th r ou gh ou t th e bu il din g. M SD con tin u es to col l ect con tact tr acin g in for m ation . See Table 38 for Entr y Data Log.
Table 38: Judiciary Facilities Entry Data Log (OCT-DEC 2021) M on t h
Pat r on
Ven dor
Em ployee
Tot al
October
5,448
131
1,530
7,109
November
4,282
103
1,680
6,065
December
3,064
124
1,485
4,673
TOTAL
12,794
358
4,695
17,847
* I n cl u d es Cen t r on H u st i si a, K ot t en Ti n i an , Gu m a' H u st i si a
Depu ty M ar sh al Scottie Agu on stan ds gu ar d an d obser ves as th e por tabl e UV l igh t san itizer disin fects th e Cash ier s' Office at Gu m a' H u stisia. (Decem ber 27, 2021)
23
126 | Year 2 of t h e Pan dem ic: A Special Repor t
Per son n el fr om JOGO San itization Com pan y con du cts a deep cl ean in g in on e of th e offices at th e Kotten Tin ian . (Decem ber 10, 2021)
COVID-19 SANITIZATION PROJECTS
On Novem ber 22, 2021, th e Ju diciar y was in for m ed of an in dividu al wh o atten ded a Ju diciar y even t th at was con fir m ed positive for COVID-19. An d on Novem ber 30, 2021, a Ju diciar y em pl oyee at Kotten Tin ian al so tested positive for COVID-19. In r espon se to th e con fir m ed cases, th e Ju diciar y im m ediatel y took pr ecau tion ar y m easu r es to disin fect its facil ities on Saipan an d Tin ian by en gagin g th e ser vices of two con tr actor s to cl ean an d san itize th e affected ar eas u sin g ARPA fu n ds. Th e Ju diciar y al so h as an existin g jan itor ial con tr act th at pr ovides dail y cl ean in g ser vices at th e Gu m a' H u stisia an d its al ter n ate sites, wh ich is fu n ded u n der th e CARES Act. Th e
cl ean in g con tr act expir es in M ar ch 2022, an d th e Ju diciar y in ten ds to sol icit pr oposal s for th e con tin u ation of th e cl ean in g ser vices wh ich wil l be fu n ded u n der ARPA. Th e Ju diciar y al so pr ocu r ed u l tr aviol et equ ipm en t u sin g ARPA. Th e H ygeair es ar e in ten ded to cl ean an d pu r ify u pper r oom air in occu pied spaces in or der to r edu ce th e r isk of cr oss in fection an d exposu r e of occu pan ts to in fectiou s air bor n e m icr obes. Ul tr aviol et tr offer s ar e design ed to pr ovide power fu l disin fection . Pl an s for addition al equ ipm en t wil l be in cl u ded in th e Spen din g Pl an . See Table 39 for Ultr aviolet Equipm ent I nstallation by Location.
Table 39: Ultraviolet Equipment Installation By Location Locat ion
Hygeair es
Tr of f er s
St an d-u p Equ ipm en t
Centron Hustisia
2
0
0
Guma' Hustisia
16
9
2
Kotten Tinian
2
0
0
TOTAL
20
9
2
A S s
Year 2 of t h e Pan dem ic: A Special Repor t | 127
ISO in spects th e in stal l ation of an addition al m on itor in th e Su pr em e Cou r t Del iber ation Room . (Decem ber 6, 2021)
H ygeair e Ger m icidal Ul tr aviol et In dir ect Air Disin fection fixtu r es wer e in stal l ed th r ou gh ou t th e Gu m a' H u stisia to pu r ify th e u pper r oom air in occu pied space. ( Decem ber 15, 2021) An oth er an gl e of th e Su pr em e Cou r t Del iber ation m on itor s en abl in g vir tu al h ear in gs an d m eetin gs. (Decem ber 6, 2021)
A gl ass par tition secu r ity gate was in stal l ed in th e Scr een in g an d Secu r ity Zon e to assist th e M SD with tr affic con tr ol an d en for ce social distan cin g. ( Decem ber 11, 2021)
On e of th e 20 H ygeair e Ger m icidal Ul tr aviol et In dir ect Air Disin fection fixtu r e was in stal l ed in th e Office of th e Cl er k of th e Su per ior Cou r t. ( Decem ber 15, 2021)
128 | Year 2 of t h e Pan dem ic: A Special Repor t
At theendof Year 2 of the Pandemic, the world hasexperienced the heartbreaking lossof approximately 5.4 million lives. Each life lost hada story anduniqueexperiencebehindit. In theUnitedStatesalone, over 50 million peoplewereinfectedwith therelentlessCOVID-19 virusby theendof 2021andover 820,000 people died. Here at home, the Commonwealth suffered the loss of 14 by theendof 2021. We pay tribute to all the victims of the pandemic and mourn with the families and friends who lost their loved ones, especially the children who have lost their caretaker so early in their lives. Someday, hopefully soon, we will all leave this tragedy and instability behindusandfindpeacein our islandcommunity andthe world.
The highly contagious Omicron variant reached the Commonwealth and caused an exponential increase in COVID-19 cases. The charts show total cases of 124 in early January 2021 and a surge to 3,255 cases at year's end.
The New York Times map indicates the known locations of cumulative reported COVID-19 deaths.
2021 An n u al Repor t | 129
Kotten Tin ian Kotten Tinian in San Jose Village
130 | 2021 An n u al Repor t
Located in San Jose, Kotten Tinian facilitates efficient access to justice for residents of the island. Since its opening in 1999, the Judiciary has consistently monitored the status of the building's facilities to ensure that it is well-equipped to provide judicial services consistent with modern technnology. Kotten Tinian received major technological improvements in 2017 and 2018, and in 2020 major fiber optic internet bandwidth upgrades took place, thanks largely to CARES ACT funding. Superior Court hearings and Supreme Court oral arguments are frequently held in Kotten Tinian. Supreme Court Hearings On October 29, 2021, the Supreme Court held oral argument in the case of In re: Decision of the Office of the Public Auditor on the Administrative Appeal of GPPC, Inc.
Happier news: the law clerk
Superior Court Hearings Twice per month, Superior Court judges conduct hearings at Kotten Tinian. Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo presides over Civil, Small Claims, and FCD cases and Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja hears Criminal, Traffic, and Juvenile cases.
Rota Cen tr on H u stisia
2021 An n u al Repor t | 131
Rota Centron Hustisia was completed in 2005, ensuring residents of the island efficient access to justice. It is located in Sinapalo and houses the Superior Court, the Office of Adult Probation, the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of the Public Defender, and the Department of Public Safety. Superior Court hearings are held on Rota twice per month. Below are some of the activities that occurred in 2021.
On August 26, 2021 a 40-foot container filled with files and shelves were offloaded at the Rota courthouse for employees to scan and audit as the CNMI Judiciary begins to advance from hard copies to digital technologies. In June 2021, the Commonwealth Law Revision Commission conducted a presentation on basic legal research. On July 22, 2021 Centron Hustisia held the Office of Probation and Parole Proclamation Signing Ceremony to recognize July 18-24, 2021 as Pretrial, Probation and Parole (PPPS) week.
132 | 2021 An n u al Repor t
Rota Centron Hustisia receives two dockets per month that consist of different case types. Associate Judge Wesley Bogdan handles civil, small claims and family court cases which occur every first Friday of the month. Presiding Judge Roberto Naraja handles criminal, traffic and juvenile cases every fourth Friday of the month. Associate Judge Joseph Camacho handles probate cases every Thursday. Rota Centron Hustisia is equipped with air purifiers and UV sanitizing equipment in the courtroom and lobby. Pictured on the bottom left is the hygeaire while the bottom right is the stand up unit used at the Centron Hustisia. The standard supplies of hand sanitizers and masks are made available to court patrons.
2021 An n u al Repor t | 133
Law Revision Com m ission
From left: Executive Director Dean M. Palacios, Publications ClerkErica M. Cabrera, and Website Manager Albert A. Hicking
Law Revision Commission Regular Meeting Held October 20, 2021 From left: CNMI Bar Representative Bruce Mailman, Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro, Former
Executive Director Hyun Jae Lee, Former Publications Clerk Mabby Glass, Executive Director Dean Palacios, Former Staff Attorney Matthew Brown.
134 | 2021 An n u al Repor t
The primary duties of the Law Revision Commission (LRC) are to codify, compile, and publish the legal materials of the Commonwealth, both online and in print. LRC personnel review all Commonwealth public laws, local laws, and promulgated administrative regulations and update the Commonwealth Code and the Northern Mariana Islands Administrative Code by integrating the changes made by all new permanent laws and regulations. Opinions and orders of the Supreme Court and Superior Court which have been designated for publication are made available on LRC?s website. Table 40: Principal Websit e Uploads Pu blicat ion
Tot al
Public Laws
15
Local Laws
17
CMC Sections
277
Commonwealth Register
16
NMIAC Chapters
74
Supreme Court Opinions
13
Superior Court Orders
35
This year marked a major milestone in LRC?s regular outreach efforts. For the first time in over 20 years, LRC personnel conducted legal research presentations on both Tinian and Rota. The participants included government employees from each island?s Mayor?s office, as well as Judiciary staff located on Tinian and Rota. In addition, as part of the Law Day events, LRC held a Seal Design Contest for high school students to come up with a new and unique seal to identify LRC. At its regular meeting on October 20, 2021, the Commission voted to adopt the seal design from a 10th grade student at Agape Christian High School.
In addition to its responsibility to codify and publish Commonwealth law, the LRC creates and sells publications, responds to inquiries from the public, cooperates with government entities regarding legal material needs, hosts information and training sessions on CNMI law and research, and provides advice related to legal research.
Legal Research Presentation at Kotten Tinian conducted by former Executive Director Hyun Jae Lee and Office Manager Albert Hicking. Pictured fifth from left is Commission member and Tinian Senator Karl King-Nabors. (May 21, 2021)
2021 An n u al Repor t | 135
Former Executive Director Lee recognizes the Seal Contest winner Yidan (Tina) Zheng , a student at Agape Christine School.
Legal Research Presentation at Rota Centron Hustisia conducted by Staff Attorney Matthew Brown and Website/Office Manager Albert Hicking. LRC donated one full set of the Commonwealth Code to be shared among the participants. (June 18, 2021)
136 | 2021 An n u al Repor t
STRATEGIC PLANNING The Strategic Planning Committee met in April 2021 to discuss updates on the Judiciary's goals. The committee and sub-committees met bimonthly to ensure that progress was made towards the goals. By July 2021, the committee completed the first draft of the Strategic Planning Third Year Assessment Report. The final version of the report was presented to the Judiciary staff during the November 2021 Professional Development Conference.
StrategicPlanningLeadership
Justice John A. Manglona, Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro, and Justice Perry B. Inos
StrategicPlanningTeam Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja Judge Kenneth L. Govendo Judge Joseph N. Camacho Judge Teresa K. Kim-Tenorio Judge Wesley M. Bogdan Sonia A. Camacho, Director of Courts Nora V. Borja, Deputy Clerk, Supreme Court Judy T. Aldan, Clerk of the Supreme Court Patrick M. Diaz, Clerk of the Superior Court Hyun Jae Lee, General Counsel Josephine Estrada, Judicial Asst. to Justice J. A. Manglona
Rochelle Vazquez, Special Assistant to the Presiding Judge Carmen V. Borja, Law Clerk Emily Dombrowski, Law Clerk Brendan Layde, Law Clerk Gregory Cenac, Law Clerk Branwen Frances, Law Clerk Robert Mang, Law Clerk Rellani Ogumoro, Law Clerk Jack Robinson, Law Clerk Alan Gudino, Law Clerk Obiobodo Onyeoziliname, Law Clerk
2021 An n u al Repor t | 137
The Strategic Planning team members met in the courtroom to discuss the Third-Year Assessment Report. The Assessment Report was the main point of discussion at the annual Judiciary Professional Development Conference held in November.
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Strategic Planning Goals Goal 1 Maintain Fair and Efficient Case Flow and Time Standards Goal Goal Goal Goal Goal Goal
2 3 4 5 6 7
Ensure Access to Justice Develop and Support Specialty Courts Improve Technology and Court Data Systems Promote a Modern and Professional Workforce Increase Community Engagement Renovate Guma?Hustisia, Rota Centron Hustisia, and Kotten Tinian
At the November 2021 Judiciary Professional Development Conference, Judge Bogdan, above, and Judge Govendo, below, presented their subcommittee assessment reports.
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2021 H igh l igh ts We value our events and outreach programs, such as Law Week, Professional Development Conference, Women's History Month, and student competitions, all designed to help promote the rule of law. We held our first Cultural Day celebration, which was open to the community and had a great turnout. Due to its great reception, this event will become a staple in Judiciary activities moving forward. We delight in seeing our staff smile at our November employee awards luncheon, celebrating with participants at Drug Court graduations, reaching out to the manamkos at our appellate session and in welcoming guests to proclamation ceremonies. These highlights show the happy faces of the Judiciary and members of our community in 2021.
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Ju dicial Cou n cil M eetin g Febr u ar y 24, 2021
On February 24, 2021, the Judicial Council held its regular meeting at the Supreme Court Courtroom to discuss the Judiciary's budget and other administrative matters for the court. Top photo: Director of Courts Sonia A. Camacho provided reports to the Council members on various administrative items. Bottom photo: Budget and Finance Director John T. Villagomez reported on the Judiciary's financial status and the proposed FY2022 Budget Request.
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W om en 's H istor y M on th M ar ch 8, 2021
Biba Mes Famalao?an! Over the years, women have engaged in important leadership roles within the Judiciary ? Clerk of the Supreme Court, Clerk of the Superior Court, Director of Courts, General Counsel, Chief Probation Officer, Director of Human Resources, Law Clerks, Associate Judge, Special Assistants to the Chief Justice and Presiding Judge, Family Court Manager, Drug Court Manager, Deputy Marshal, Commonwealth Recorder, Law Revision Executive Director, and other positions. We appreciate their leadership and energy!
Celebrating Women's History is not limited to the month of March. The Judiciary celebrates year-round, as in the accomplishments of Judicial Assistant Josephine N. Estrada (third from left), who received her B.A. in Criminal Justice, and Deputy Marshal Maria M. Tudela (fourth from left), who earned an A.A.S. in Criminal Justice at Northern Marianas College. Deputy Marshal Leon L. Lizama II also earned a B.A. in Criminal Justice.
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Adm in istr ative Pr ofession al 's Day Apr il 21, 2021
Each April we honor the hardworking men and women that make up the backbone of the Judiciary. Administrative positions include Judicial Assistants, Law Clerks, Human Resources Personnel, Budget and Finance Office Personnel, Procurement, Director of Courts, the Commonwealth Recorder, and General Counsel.
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Rotar y Cl u b Pr esen tation on Ju diciar y Pr ojects M ay 4, 2021
On May 4, the Judiciary had the opportunity to make a presentation on Judiciary projects to the Rotary Club of Saipan. Director of Courts Sonia A. Camacho (top left) talked about the HVAC and Mold Remediation project, Kotten Tinian and Rota Centron Hustisia, and the Strategic Plan. Law Clerk Carmen V. Borja (top right) presented on the NMI Electronic Recording Rules project. Justice Perry B. Inos and Justice John A. Manglona joined the presentation and answered questions posed by Rotary members.
Judiciary staff pose with the members of the Rotary Club of Saipan. (May 4, 2021)
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H ou se Bu dget Session Pr esen tation M ay 27, 2021
On May 27, the Judiciary presented its FY2022 budget request during the House Budget Session. In this presentation, the Judiciary covered topics such as prior spending trends, budget comparisons from FY2018 to FY2022, the Judiciary's Strategic Plan, loan balances, court updates in Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, as well as the HVAC and mold remediation project. Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja, Associate Judge Teresa K. Kim-Tenorio, Director of Courts Sonia A. Camacho, and Budget and Finance Director John T. Villagomez fielded questions posed by members of the budget committee.
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On May 14, 2021, the Judiciary held the 2021 Law Week Proclamation Signing Ceremony at the Guma' Hustisia. This year's theme was "Advancing the Rule of Law Now" and was showcased in essay and poster entries from schools on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. At the end of the ceremony, the Judiciary's seal was unveiled.
Above, from left: Lt. Governor Arnold I. Palacios; First Lady Diann T. Torres, Governor Ralph DLG Torres, Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro, Senate President Jude U. Hofschneider, House Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez, Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona, and CNMI Bar President Charity R. Hodson. Left photo: Justice John A. Manglona talked about the Judiciary seal's symbolism during the unveiling ceremony.
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Lan gu age Access Pl an & Pol icy Language Access Plan and Policy (LAPP) is designed to provide timely, meaning, and equal access to Judiciary programs, services, and information to Limited English Proficient and Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals. In line with LAPP and Title VI of Civil Rights of 1964, the Judiciary holds annual training for court interpreters and staff. Pictured below is court interpreter training held on September 23, 2021, and Bench & Interpreters Roundtable Discussion held on October 1, in the Assembly Hall at Guma?Hustisia.
LAPP training involved a change of plea simulation with Public Defender Douglas Hartig and Assistant Attorney General Heather Barcinas and Court Interpreter Dennis Tse.
The Judiciary hosted a Roundtable discussion with interpreters, members of the bench, court staff, and a representative from the Office of Public Defender.
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On October 8, 2021, in commemoration of the 16th celebrated the islands' heritage and traditions in a mwaar making and talaya throwing. Performances by dancing, a wide variety of cuisine from different cultu exhibits include Nature's Treasures' weaved baskets Culture's bead station, and an informative corner of t event was open to the public and welcomed special gu District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands, as well
h Annual Commonwealth Cultural Day, the Judiciary series of exhibits and hands-on activities such as y local dancers were also showcased. In addition to ures were available for the public to sample. Other s and hats, the Commonwealth Council for Arts & the NMI's history courtesy of the NMI Museum, This uest Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona from the U.S. l as several members of the CNMI Bar Association.
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Ju diciar y H om ecom in g In the early 2000's, it was discovered that the Guma' Hustisia was contaminated with mold. A factor that contributed to this mold growth was the uncontrollable humidity in the Guma' Hustisia as a result of the high traffic flow and increasing number of staff in the building. The mold was further exacerbated in 2015 when the wrath of Super Typhoon Soudelor caused leakage and contributed to increased moisture buildup throughout the building. Areas affected included the courtrooms, judges and justices' chambers, and the Supreme Court Administrative offices. In 2017, after a meeting with CIP Adminitrator Elizabeth Balajadia, P.E., the Judiciary began mold assessment and eradication efforts. The Judiciary engaged consultant WM Engineering Services (WMES) to assess the antiquated HVAC system, as well as the mold infestation. In 2018, WMES completed the mold remediation report, which recommended the replacement of the air-conditioning system. The Judiciary staff moved out of the building and held trials and hearings at alternate sites---all done to allow HVAC and Mold Remediation projects to commence. After three long years, the HVAC and Mold Remediation projects were completed. As staff began phases of homecoming, furniture and equipment filled the atrium as a inventory transit area. Staff finally settled back to their respective offices by October 2021.
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The Gr eat Shake Out Ear th qu ak e Dr il l The Judiciary participated in the annual national Great Shake Out, an earthquake preparation exercise. The Marshals Service Division, Office of Adult Probation, and Drug Court officers led the drill and ensured that evacuation procedures and safety protocols are followed. For about an hour, court staff assembled at the employee parking lot area for briefing and accountability.
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LAW AND TH E FRESH M AN LEGISLATOR The Law and the Freshman Legislator was held twice in 2021. The first session was held at the U.S. District Court for the NMI on January 7, 2021. This program allows new legislators to learn more about basic legal research, the Constitution, and the Covenant in order to better understand their role as public servants. This session also allows the newly elected legislators to get to know one another. The second Law & the Freshman Legislator session was held at the Guma' Hustisia on October 16, 2021, for Corina L. Magofna, who won the special general election to fill a Precinct 3 seat vacated by the passing of Rep. Ivan A. Blanco.
Executive Director/General Counsel Hyun Jae Lee presents Basics of Legal Research.
From left: Judge Wesley M. Bogdan, Justice John A. Manglona, Judge Teresa K. Kim Tenorio, Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro, Representative Corina Magofna, Judge Kenneth L. Govendo, and Justice Perry B. Inos.
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Pr of ession al Developm en t Con f er en ce The annual Judiciary Professional Development Conference was held at Kensington Hotel on November 22-23, 2022. Seminars and presentations included HVAC and Mold Remediation Project, Healthy Eats, Adobe Acrobat Workshop, Microsoft Word Track Changes Pro Tips, Court Security, and Writing and Proof Reading. The conference ended with an award ceremony recognizing employees for their hard work.
The Conference brought together staff from all three islands to share and voice their ideas about court operations. Conference presentations provided two days of professional and personal enrichment.
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Sonia A. Camacho Chief Justice Award
Irene T. San Nicolas & Josephine N. Estrada, Associate Justice Award
Delia S. Magofna
Mark G. Hidalgo
Presiding Judge Award
Associate Judges Award Facilities Management Office Division Award
Shanna Mae W. Flores
Nora V. Borja
Administrative Award Budget and Finance Office Award
Office of the Clerk of the Supreme Court Award
John T. Villagomez Supreme Court Award
Patrick V. Diaz & Edward P. Diaz Superior Court Award
Okalani R. Shiprit & Eva-Sophia P. Calvo Office of the Clerk of the Superior Court Award
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Sabrina Lynn Dela Cruz Family Court Division Award
Frankie B. Camacho Drug Court Division Award
Rebecca R. Santos Commonwealth Recorder's Office Award
Weena Gwendolyn T. Iguel Office of Adult Probation Supervision Award
Leon L. Lizama II
Jorale James A. Mendoza
Michelle V. Guerrero
James W. Stowell
Marshals Service Division Award
Information Systems Office Award
Human Resources Office Award
Grants Management Office Award
Matthew J. Brown Office of the General Counsel Award
Albert Hicking
Martha B. Mendiola
Law Revision Commission Award
Procurement Office Award
Pr ofession al Devel opm en t Con fer en ce N ovem ber 22-23, 20 21 Kensington H otel
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The Judiciary staff participated in Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training provided by the American Red Cross.
Chef Zenn Tomokane of Hyatt Regency Saipan demonstrates how to prepare a healthy meal that is both delicious and budget-friendly.
Hustisia Para Todo
Guma' Hustisia, Iimwal Aweewe, House of Justice PO Box 502165, Saipan MP96950 (670) 236-9800 www.nmijudiciary.gov