Saipan, CNMI – In In re Commonwealth (R.J.K.S.), the Supreme Court affirmed the juvenile court’s acceptance of a guilty plea of a sixteen-year-old defendant to second-degree murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and aggravated assault and battery. The defendant pled guilty before the preliminary hearing. The Commonwealth objected, stating it had intended to seek the court’s permission to proceed against the defendant in an adult criminal proceeding. The juvenile court established the...

Saipan, CNMI – On August 4, 2026, Marianas High School (MHS) held its summer Mock Trial program at the Guma’ Hustisia to offer students a valuable platform to practice their legal skills in a realistic courtroom scenario. Organized by the MHS Mock Trial Team, the program gave students the rare chance to step away from the traditional classroom and bring lessons to life. Teacher-coaches Jacoby Winkfield and Robyn Spaeth guided the students through every stage of trial preparation, helping them...

Saipan, CNMI – The Supreme Court upheld the heirship determination for Dolores Sablan Mendiola (“Dolores”) and reversed that of Annette P. Cruz (“Annette”). Both claimed to have been adopted by Anunciacion Mendiola Camacho Magofna (“Magofna”) through poksai, a Chamorro customary practice. In In re Estate of Magofna, the Supreme Court held that neither Dolores’ earlier statutory adoption by Magofna’s parents nor Dolores’ later claim of poksai adoption by Magofna’s sister prevented recognition...