News & Notices

From May 28-31, 2025, members of our treatment courts attended the annual Rise conference hosted by All Rise in Kissimmee, Florida. The conference invited close to 8,000 treatment court professionals, including leaders, policymakers, and other stakeholders, to learn the latest evidence-based practices for serving justice-involved individuals impacted by substance use, mental health, and co-occurring disorders and trauma. The CNMI was featured during plenary sessions to recognize our Treatment Court Month 2025 activities.

On May 22, 2025, the Office of Adult Probation Supervision and Drug Court Division gave presentations on the Second Chance Initiative at the NMI Society for Human Resource General Monthly Meeting, held at Pacific Islands Club. The sessions provided an introduction to the program, educated about barriers in hiring practices for participants, and encouraged attendees to help reduce stigmatism and recidivism with employers and throughout the community. In conjunction with Treatment Court Month, the discussions encouraged awareness of how second chance opportunities can be incorporated into best practices and are an integral step in the process for probationers and Drug Court participants. Presenters included Chief Probation Officer Weena Gwendolyn Iguel, Probation Officer Nadia Moses Maratita, Probation Officer Susan Cabrera and Drug Court Manager Edward Diaz.

On May 22, 2025, the Office of Adult Probation Supervision and Drug Court Division gave presentations on the Second Chance Initiative at the NMI Society for Human Resource General Monthly Meeting, held at Pacific Islands Club. The sessions provided an introduction to the program, educated about barriers in hiring practices for participants, and encouraged attendees to help reduce stigmatism and recidivism with employers and throughout the community. In conjunction with Treatment Court Month, the discussions encouraged awareness of how second chance opportunities can be incorporated into best practices and are an integral step in the process for probationers and Drug Court participants. Presenters included Chief Probation Officer Weena Gwendolyn Iguel, Probation Officer Nadia Moses Maratita, Probation Officer Susan Cabrera and Drug Court Manager Edward Diaz.

On May 22, 2025, the NMI Judiciary’s Law Revision Commission and Office of General Counsel conducted a training on Tinian as part of its ongoing outreach efforts across all three islands in conjunction with Law Week/Month. The session, open to court staff and government agencies, covered key topics including Equal Employment Opportunity laws, an introduction to the Law Revision Commission’s research functions, and the Judiciary’s Language Access Plan and Policy. Attendees included court personnel and individuals from the Legislature, Office of the Mayor of Tinian & Aguiguan, Department of Public Safety, Department of Finance, Northern Marianas College, Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission, and the Department of Fire & EMS.

On May 22, 2025, the NMI Judiciary’s Law Revision Commission and Office of General Counsel conducted a training on Tinian as part of its ongoing outreach efforts across all three islands in conjunction with Law Week/Month. The session, open to court staff and government agencies, covered key topics including Equal Employment Opportunity laws, an introduction to the Law Revision Commission’s research functions, and the Judiciary’s Language Access Plan and Policy. Attendees included court personnel and individuals from the Legislature, Office of the Mayor of Tinian & Aguiguan, Department of Public Safety, Department of Finance, Northern Marianas College, Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission, and the Department of Fire & EMS.

On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, Drug Court Manager Edward Diaz presented to individuals in recovery on Emotional Quotient (EQ): Correcting Thinking Errors. Attendees actively engaged in the presentation, harnessing the power of self-awareness, empathy, and understanding the power of positive thinking. EQ is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage emotions--both your own and others'. It involves being aware of how emotions work and how they affect behavior. The NMI Judiciary, with the assistance of the Pacific Judicial Council, set up the local EQ Program in 2021.

On May 20, 2025, the NMI Judiciary’s Law Revision Commission and Office of General Counsel conducted an outreach session at Centron Hustisia on Rota. The training, open to court staff and government agencies, focused on key topics including Equal Employment Opportunity laws, an introduction to the Law Revision Commission’s research functions, and the Judiciary’s Language Access Plan and Policy. Attendees included court personnel and individuals from the Rota Health Center, Northern Marianas Protection and Advocacy Systems, Inc., and the Department of Public Safety.

The NMI Judiciary Treatment Courts hosted their annual Walk for Recovery on Friday, May 2, bringing together individuals in recovery, advocates, and community members to promote healing, inspire hope, and support the journey toward lasting change. The walk symbolizes that recovery is a journey, not a destination, and treatment courts allow participants the time, patience and chance for self-compassion needed to take that first step.

On May 2, 2025, the Office of the Attorney General and the Supreme Court held the 38th Attorney General's Cup Speech Competition on the topic "Birthright Citizenship in the CNMI." This year, seven students competed, representing schools from all three islands. William Cano of Mount Carmel School won first place (top row, far left), followed by Tae Hee Kim of Grace Christian Academy in second place (top row, center), and Eianne Ladao of Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Jr. Sr. High School in third place (top row, far right).

On April 24, 2025, students and staff from Mount Carmel School toured Guma' Hustisia. Under the guidance of Director of Courts Sonia A. Camacho, they visited several Judiciary offices and a Superior Court courtroom. The visit wrapped up with a Konbetsasion in the Supreme Court courtroom, where Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro and Justice John A. Manglona engaged with the students on a wide range of topics about the work of justices and judges.

The eCitation Committee gathered to prepare for the eCitation launch scheduled for May 14, 2025. The committee, which includes representatives from the Judiciary and the Department of Public Safety, discussed the logistics for the Go Live date next month. The eCitation system, which equips patrol cars with laptops and portable printers, will streamline the traffic citation process, as well as payment of fines. (April 17, 2025)

The NMI hosted a joint proclamation signing with Guam in celebration of Law Week, which will be April 28–May 2, 2025. Governor Arnold I. Palacios, Senate President Dennis C. Mendiola, and House Speaker Edmund Villagomez joined Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro, Justice John A. Mangloña, Justice Perry B. Inos, Judge Kenneth L. Govendo, and Judge Lillian A. Tenorio in the Supreme Court courtroom of Guma' Hustisia. Appearing virtually from Guam were Governor Lourdes Leon Guerrero, Lieutenant Governor Joshua F. Tenorio, Speaker Frank F. Blas, Jr., and Chief Justice Robert J. Torres, Jr.. The proclamation celebrates the theme “The Constitution’s Promise: Out of Many, One” and the leaders from all three branches elaborated on what this means to them. (April 3, 2025)

The Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Committee welcomed Lieutenant Governor David M. Apatang to a biweekly meeting earlier this month to discuss progress on the CJIS project. The Committee, which includes representatives from the Criminal Justice Planning Agency, NMI Judiciary, Department of Public Safety, Department of Corrections, and other partner agencies, has been diligently meeting for the past year. The primary objective of the CJIS project is to integrate criminal justice agencies across the CNMI to provide efficient, secure, and timely information sharing. Since being awarded a $1 million dollar grant in September 2024 from the Department of Justice, the CJIS Committee has focused on planning the usage of these funds to create a shared database among local agencies.

RAISING AWARENESS ON TEEN DATING VIOLENCE

On February 28, 2025, Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio and Family Court Division Manager Roxanne Torres presented on Temporary Restraining Orders and their impact on teens at Marianas High School. The presentation was part of a broader effort to raise awareness during Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, highlighting the importance of healthy relationships and educating students on the available legal protections.

MARCH IS CNMI WOMEN'S MONTH!

Judiciary staff attended the 2025 CNMI Women’s Month & International Women’s Day Proclamation Signing on February 26, 2025, hosted by the Women’s Affairs Office. The event also marked the 40th anniversary of the office, celebrating the themes “Moving forward together! Women educating & inspiring generations!” and “Accelerate Action for Rights, Equality, & Empowerment for ALL women and girls.” Attendees from the Judiciary included Judge Teresa K. Kim-Tenorio, Director of Courts Sonia A. Camacho, Mental Health Court Docket Manager Victoria Matsunaga, Case Worker I Tiffany Yokoyama-Lizama, Community Supervision Worker Scottie Aguon, Client Services Navigator Maria G. Terlaje, and Deputy Marshal III Jesus S. Santos.

About the Anniversary

Hustisia Award

Konbetsasion: Covenant

Court Tours

Justices & Judges in the Classroom

Law Week Proclamation

Law Day Essay and Poster Contest

Moot Court & Mock Trial

35th Judiciary Anniversary (1989-2024) Information

In May 2024, the Northern Marianas Judiciary will commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Judicial Reorganization Act of 1989, which laid the foundation of the Commonwealth Supreme Court and the Superior Court.

From 1978 to 1989, the judicial branch was only comprised of the trial court, which heard exclusively cases that did not require a jury trial. The federal district court would assist in hearing local civil and criminal cases. The federal district court’s appellate division also heard appeals from the trial court and was comprised of a federal district court judge, a trial court judge, and another federal district judge assigned by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Mock Trial High School Competition

The CNMI Mock Trial Program introduces students to the legal system through an engaging and academically challenging competition. It aims to enhance students’ critical thinking, public speaking skills, and understanding of the American justice system. In addition to teaching students about our legal system, the program encourages teachers and students to develop learning partnerships with professionals from the legal community.

Sponsored by the CNMI Judiciary, the CNMI Bar Association, and the Public School System, the program is supported by volunteers from the legal profession and schools. Volunteers from the Bar Association and participating schools coach and mentor students, while judges and attorneys dedicate their time to judge the various rounds of competition. Volunteers from the community also contribute their efforts in planning and organizing the event. The program’s success is built on the dedication of students, volunteers, and the generous support from local organizations, businesses, and individuals.

Nationally, the Mock Trial Championship was founded in 1984 in Des Moines, Iowa, and is now held annually across different states. Approximately 30,000 students from the U.S., Guam, South Korea, and the Northern Mariana Islands participate in local high school competitions, culminating in the top teams competing for the national title.

CNMI Mock Trial Competition

Guma' Hustisia, Saipan

February 20 - 21, 2025

National Mock Trial Competition

Phoenix, Arizona

May 7 - 10, 2025

Moot Court Competition

Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut

May 5 - 6, 2025

(2024 Champions - Marianas High School)

Moot Court Competition

University of California, Santa Barbara, California

March 1 - 2, 2025

(2024 Finalists - Mount Carmel School)

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Law Revision Commission

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The Commission maintains the Commonwealth Code, Northern Mariana Islands Administrative Code, decisions of the CNMI Judiciary, and other related legal resources.

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