Supreme Court to Hold Oral Argument at Saipan International School
Saipan, CNMI – The Supreme Court will hold an oral argument at Saipan International School at 10:00 a.m. on November 5, 2026. The Judiciary regularly holds oral arguments at local schools as part of its community outreach efforts. Combined with the Judiciary’s High School Moot Court program where students step into the role of attorney themselves in a simulated oral argument, both outreach programs provide students a better understanding of the legal system and the appellate process.
Students will hear arguments on In re Brandon Russel Camacho, a case arising from a Superior Court decision finding Brandon Russell Camacho ineligible for the Mental Health Court Docket after he allegedly attacked someone with a baseball bat. The Mental Health Court Docket is a voluntary and non-adversarial program that provides intense supervision to ensure treatment for mental health problems that are at the root of involvement with the criminal justice system. Under the policies and procedures promulgated by the Supreme Court, the Commonwealth determines a person’s eligibility for the Mental Health Court Docket. The Commonwealth found Camacho legally ineligible due to the violent nature of the charges and the risk to public safety, neither of which are listed factors for legal eligibility. The Superior Court held it could not compel the prosecution to find Camacho eligible, a decision Camacho argues was clearly erroneous.
The session will be presided over by Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro, Associate Justice John A. Manglona, and Associate Justice Roberto C. Naraja. The oral argument is expected to last around an hour and will be preceded by a Question-and-Answer session with the attorneys, providing the students additional insight into the judicial system.
2026-PR-037
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 30, 2026
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