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 ca

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 protec