Saipan, CNMI — Associate Judge Joey P. San Nicolas successfully completed the National Computer Forensics Institute’s (“NCFI”) “Digital Evidence for Judges” course hosted in Alabama from October 12-16, 2026. The course provided an overview of digital evidence in criminal cases, including evidence from mobile devices, cloud-based services, and other digital sources. Topics included cybercrime, computer forensics, computer hardware, data concepts, search and seizure of digital

Saipan, CNMI — On October 9, 2026, the Northern Mariana Islands Judiciary held an Attorney Admissions Ceremony for Molly Kay Dennert and Brianna Concepcion Hunter, who both passed the July 2026 CNMI Bar Exam. Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro admitted both successful applicants to the CNMI Bar. Molly Kay Dennert graduated with her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Iowa, and she obtained her Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt University Law School. Molly previously served as a

Saipan, CNMI — The NMI Judiciary welcomes LaReina C. Camacho as the new Clerk of the Superior Court. LaReina is a dedicated public servant, with career experience of over twenty-five years in government planning, human resources, organizational development, regulatory compliance, and public engagement. Prior to joining the Judiciary, LaReina served as Planner III in the Department of Finance's Office of the Secretary and was also the Department's Equal Employment Opportunity

Saipan, CNMI — On September 24, 2026, third-year law student Josephine Estrada-Jones, an alumna of the Judiciary’s Summer Pre-Law Program, competed as a finalist in Syracuse University College of Law's 55th Annual Mackenzie Hughes LLP Edmund H. Lewis Appellate Advocacy Competition. Estrada-Jones and teammate Emily DenHaese represented Respondent United States. The moot court case centered on two issues: whether people have a privacy interest in prescription records stored in

Saipan, CNMI – In Chong v. Durkin, the Supreme Court affirmed the Superior Court’s order in an eviction proceeding. The tenant, Daniel Durkin, alleged that his landlord, Chong International Corporation, had sought to evict him because he reported a violation of a zoning ordinance. He also alleged that the landlord was unjustly enriched by retaining renovations he made to the apartment. The Superior Court found that the Chong International Corporation intended to facilitate a

The Commonwealth Recorder's Office is currently experiencing a technical issue affecting the processing and collection of recording fees through the eRecording platform. As a result, documents submitted for recording through the eRecording system cannot be accepted at this time and will be rejected until the issue is resolved. eResearch services and online purchases of copies remain available and are not affected by this issue. To ensure timely processing, manual recording su

On October 1, 2026, the Supreme Court issued Administrative Order No. 2026-ADM-0032-MSC, In Re Closure of Judiciary Facilities due to Tropical Storm Choi-wan (26W). All Judiciary facilities shall be closed on Friday, October 2, 2026. For court information, please visit the Judiciary’s website at www.NMIJudiciary.gov. For additional information or inquiries, contact: Judy T. Aldan, Esq. Clerk of Court, Supreme Court Telephone: (670) 236-9716 Email: Judy.Aldan@NMIJudiciary.gov

Saipan, CNMI — On September 4, 2026, CNMI Judiciary law enforcement officers, managers, and staff, together with Presiding Judge Joseph N. Camacho, gathered at the Department of Public Safety Shooting Range for a practice session in preparation for the CNMI Judiciary’s upcoming 4th Annual Shooting Competition. Presiding Judge Joseph N. Camacho takes a group photo with CNMI Judiciary Law Enforcement Officers, CNMI Judiciary’s Firearms instructor, managers, staff, and a Departm

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

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

On July 27, 2026, the Supreme Court issued Administrative Order No. 2026-ADM-0031-MSC, In Re Reopening of Rota Centron Hustisia. The Rota Centron Hustisia will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. For court information, please visit the Judiciary’s website at www.NMIJudiciary.gov. For additional information or inquiries, contact: Judy T. Aldan, Esq. Clerk of Court, Supreme Court Telephone: (670) 236-9716 Email: Judy.Aldan@NMIJudiciary.gov or Supreme.Court

Saipan, CNMI – In In re Myers, the Supreme Court reversed the trial court’s dismissal of a complaint alleging that Robert H. Myers, Jr. (“Myers”) engaged in the unauthorized practice of law. While suspended from the practice of law, Myers held himself out as an attorney and provided legal advice. The Disciplinary Committee of the CNMI Bar Association subsequently brought an action against him for practicing law without a license. Myers moved to dismiss, arguing that the Disci

Saipan, CNMI – On June 30th, the Supreme Court upheld a Superior Court determination that an inverse condemnation claim against the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation was timely under the statute of limitations. In Sablan v. Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, Conrad M. Sablan alleged that CUC built a water tank and pump station in 1991 on family land in the Sadog Tasi area of Saipan, without paying compensation. The Court held a claim does not accrue until the landowner reas

Saipan, CNMI and Guam, USA – Yesterday, June 24, 2026, the Supreme Court of Guam and the Supreme Court of the Northern Mariana Islands signed reciprocity agreements, allowing lawyers licensed to practice law in Guam or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to practice in either jurisdiction without having to sit for an additional bar exam. PJC President and Guam Justice Robert J. Torres, Jr., signing the reciprocity agreement. Each high court has adopted its own ve

Saipan, CNMI – The NMI Judiciary is saddened by the passing of a valued employee, Special Projects and Infrastructure Coordinator Bryan Sablan Bocago, on June 6, 2026. Florence C. Sablan, mother of Bryan S. Bocago, shares reflections and expresses her gratitude to Judiciary staff. Also shown, from left, are Judge Joey P. San Nicolas, Judge Lillian A. Tenorio, Justice John A. Manglona, Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro, Justice Roberto C. Naraja, Presiding Judge Joseph N. Cama

Saipan, CNMI – On June 12, 2026, the U.S. Probation Office conducted the “4th Annual Shooting Competition Workshop” featuring hands-on training with its advanced MILO Range shooting simulator. Held at the Guma’ Hustisia and coordinated by the NMI Judiciary Office of Adult Probation Supervision, the workshop was led by U.S. Probation Officers Gregory Arriola, Ricardo Leon Guerrero, and Timothy Rabago. The workshop incorporated the use of the state-of-the-art MILO Range, allowi

Saipan, CNMI – The Supreme Court issued an opinion clarifying when a party’s liability is considered “extinguished” and reaffirming the right of a co-defendant to seek contribution after paying more than its share of the joint obligation The dispute arises from defects in the Tottotville housing project, where Telesource CNMI, Inc. (“Telesource) and SSFM International, Inc. (“SSFM”), were found jointly liable through arbitration for approximately $5.4 million in damages owe