Saipan, CNMI  – The Supreme Court issued an opinion in Commonwealth v. Rangamar  today addressing how the Commonwealth’s judicial recusal statute applies in cases involving specialty courts. Sergio Rangamar was convicted after a bench trial of one count of assault and battery, one count of assault, and two counts of disturbing the peace. During the trial, one of the prosecution’s principal witnesses was participating in the Drug Court program, where she appeared regularly bef

Saipan, CNMI  – Last Friday, the Supreme Court issued an opinion in In Re Estate of Kapileo  affirming the Superior Court’s determination that Sarah Kapileo (“Sarah”) was not the heir of Francisco Kapileo. Sarah is a child of Francisco’s ex-wife, Rungthip Sartklang Kapileo, born during the marriage. Sarah, a minor at the time, was ordered by the court to undergo a DNA test to resolve allegations about her paternity. DNA test results revealed that she was not a child of Franci

Saipan, CNMI – On March 11, 2026, members of the CNMI America250 Commission met with the Judiciary leadership at the Guma’ Hustisia to discuss the Commission’s upcoming podcast project commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Covenant. Attendees included Commission Chairman Leo Pangelinan, Vice Chair and Senator Corina Magofna, Podcast Project Lead Grace Naputi, Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro, Justice John A. Manglona, Judge Lillian A. Tenorio, and Director of Courts Son

Saipan, CNMI – The Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands has affirmed a Superior Court’s decision upholding the Commonwealth Zoning Board’s approval of a conditional use permit for Atkins Kroll Saipan, Inc. to construct and operate a car dealership and vehicle repair facility in Puerto Rico, Saipan.   The appeal was filed by ANAKS Ocean View Hill Saipan Homeowners’ Association, Ltd., which represents residents living near the proposed project site

Saipan, CNMI – T he National Center for State Courts (NCSC) Court Statistics Project (CSP) recently recognized the NMI Superior Court with its annual Data Reporting Excellence Award. The Superior Court was selected for the honor based on the improvement in quantity and quality of its reported caseload data. Former Clerk of the Superior Court Patrick V. Diaz (center) and Acting Clerk of Court Novelyn A. Wania-Tenorio (fourth from left) with Superior Court staff members. Cover

Saipan, CNMI – The Supreme Court’s proposed amendment to the NMI Rules of Attorney Discipline and Procedure that will create confidentiality for attorneys who voluntarily participate in a Lawyer Assistance Program has recently taken effect.  New Rule 5(d) encourages attorneys to seek assistance for substance use disorders, stress, mental health issues, and other challenges. The rule protects an attorney’s confidentiality and immunity. The Lawyer Assistance Program will be ma

Saipan, CNMI – The NMI Supreme Court honors the lasting contributions of Associate Justice Perry B. Inos as he resigns from the bench and starts the next stage of his professional life.  Justice Perry B. Inos in his chamber during his tenure as a CNMI Superior Court Judge, serving from September 2008 to March 2013. (June 10, 2010) Justice Inos served the NMI Judiciary for over seventeen years. He joined the NMI Judiciary as an associate judge of the Superior Court in Septemb

On January 16, 2026, the Supreme Court issued Administrative Order No. 2026-ADM 002-MSC, In Re Judiciary’s Limited Hours of Operation Due to the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Reductions. The order requires that effective February 13, 2026, Judiciary facilities will be closed every Friday from 12 noon to 5:00 p.m. In instances where Friday is a legal holiday, the closure hours of 12 noon to 5:00 p.m. will occur on the Thursday preceding the holiday. The scheduled closures are listed

Saipan, CNMI – It is with great sadness that the NMI Judiciary learned of the passing of Lino M. Olopai. Lino lived a life dedicated to cultural education and public service, and his contributions to the Commonwealth will be long remembered. Mr. Lino M. Olopai (fourth from the left), one of the Fiyóng panelists, is shown with Moderator Catherine R. Perry and fellow panel members Melvin L. O. Faisao, Manuel Mangarero, Ramon A. Tebuteb, and Cecilio Raikiulipy, as well as Supre

Saipan, CNMI – Clerks from the NMI Supreme Court, Superior Court, and U.S. District Court for the NMI join over 50 participants from court systems in the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, and Palau in the Court Clerk Training sponsored by the Pacific Judicial Council (“PJC”) this week on January 28-30, 2026 on Saipan. Pacific Judicial Council Court Clerks Training attendees included justices, judges, and court staff from Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Yap, Pohnpe

Saipan, CNMI – The Judiciary has begun its security improvement projects in its three courthouses on Saipan, Tinian and Rota. On January 12-16, 2026, consultant Joseph Duren Lopez of Weigh Anchor Consulting conducted site visits to provide short-term and long-term planning for courthouse security. On January 16, 2026, Joseph Duren Lopez of Weigh Anchor Consulting presented an executive summary and preliminary findings during an exit meeting following his courthouse security

Patrick V. Diaz (center) with Clerk of Superior Court staff at the Judiciary Professional Development Summit in November 2025. Saipan, CNMI – The NMI Superior Court honors the contributions of Clerk of the Superior Court Patrick V. Diaz as he resigns and moves into the next stage of his professional life.   Patrick V. Diaz (center, top) with Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro (to his left) and Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja (to his right), along with Clerk of Superior Cour

Lisa Phair (back row, 2nd from left) at the 2022 Judiciary Pre-Law graduation. Saipan, CNMI – Lisa Phair graduated from Syracuse University College of Law in August 2025 with a Juris Doctor through its ABA-approved JDinteractive program, which combines real-time, live online class sessions with self-paced instruction, short on-campus courses, and experiential learning opportunities.  During her time in the program, she participated in global learning opportunities in Washing

Saipan, CNMI – The Supreme Court denied the Attorney General’s petition for a writ of mandamus. The Attorney General, on behalf of the Commonwealth, had been prosecuting Willie Carnell Frink for an alleged sexual assault. After the finding of probable cause against Frink, the trial court quashed the warrant originally used to arrest Frink and required a new arrest warrant. Additionally, the trial court ordered the Commonwealth to personally serve the order finding probable c

Saipan, CNMI – The Supreme Court issued its opinion in Macaranas v. Macaranas , reversing the trial court’s finding of criminal contempt due to a violation of the defendant’s constitutional due process right to counsel. The charge of contempt arose from a violation of an order of protection.     The trial court held Guy Macaranas in criminal contempt after he failed to make child support payments, made contact with Nao Macaranas outside the scope allowed by the order of pro

Saipan, CNMI – The Supreme Court issued its opinion in Shon v. Choo , reversing the Superior Court’s decision to bar a quiet title action on the basis of laches, a doctrine which prevents a plaintiff from bringing suit after too much time has passed. The case concerns a disputed transfer of leasehold property in As Matuis, Saipan, that occurred after forged documents conveyed the leasehold without the leaseholder’s knowledge.   The Superior Court found that although the trans

On December 22, 2025, the Supreme Court issued AMENDED Administrative Order No. 2025-ADM-0017-MSC, which closed Judiciary facilities on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, Friday, December 26, 2025, and Friday, January 2, 2026. E-filing portals (File and ServeXpress, eRecording, and eCourt) will remain open during the holidays. Bail, family protection, emergency, and time-sensitive matters may be set consistent with applicable rules. Judiciary personnel may be activated for emergen

Saipan, CNMI – It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of former Chief Judge Alex R. Munson of the District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands. Judge Munson dedicated more than four decades of judicial service to the people of the Northern Mariana Islands and the broader Micronesian region. “Chief Judge Munson served the people of the Marianas with fairness, respect, and deep humanity,” said Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro. “He brought a steady hand to e

Saipan, CNMI – The Supreme Court will host the annual High School Moot Court Competition on December 4–5, 2025, at the Guma’ Hustisia on Saipan.   This year, over fifteen teams prepared written briefs on a mock First Amendment case exploring the scope of student free speech rights. Acting as attorneys, the students will present their arguments before volunteer justices in simulated appellate proceedings. The competition schedule is: Preliminary Rounds  – 8 :30 am - 4 pm., Thu

Saipan, CNMI – The CNMI Superior Court is pleased to announce the swearing-in of four new judicial staff members: Sage Wagner, Alexandria Vazquez, Kate Rues, and Marlisa Marquez. The ceremony took place on November 19, 2025, in Superior Court Courtroom 205A, where each staff member took an oath of office.    (From left) Law Clerk Alexandria Vazquez, Law Clerk Kate Rues, Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo, Law Clerk Sage Wagner, Special Assistant to the Presiding Judge Marlisa