The CNMI Judiciary recently took an important step in its ongoing effort to strengthen services for justice-involved youth by hosting a two-day visit from consultants with the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) on August 10-11, 2026. 08/10/2026 Stakeholders of the Juvenile Justice System gather to learn about the NMI Judiciary’s Juvenile Court System Assessment Project and engage in discussion surrounding the CNMI’s juvenile justice system. Front ro

Håfa Adai and Tirow, The Commonwealth Recorder’s Office is experiencing technical difficulties with its eRecording system. We are actively working to resolve the issue and look to provide a resolution within the next 48 hours or sooner. While eRecording services are unavailable, limited in-person services are available, including photocopies (Landshark) of documents on file at the Commonwealth Recorder’s Office, located at Guma’ Hustisia in Susupe. Services are available

Saipan, CNMI – The Supreme Court announced the key dates for its 2026 High School Moot Court Tournament, launching a competition designed to introduce students to appellate advocacy, legal reasoning, and public speaking. The tournament case materials will release on September 2, 2026. Students will receive a fictional trial court decision, supporting exhibits, and a collection of ten cases to develop their legal arguments. Registration will remain open through September 11.

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 esta

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 preparat

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 preve