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Wiseman tops in published decisions
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Posted on Jul 15 2008
Associate Judge David A. Wiseman was tops among the five judges in the Superior Court in terms of published decisions issued in 2007.
According to the CNMI Judiciary Annual Report for Calendar Year 2007, Wiseman made nine published opinions.
Associate Judge Ramona Villagomez Manglona was second with eight published opinions. Juan T. Lizama, who retired last May, followed with six opinions.
Associate Judge Kenneth Govendo produced three opinions, while presiding judge Robert C. Naraja did not publish any decision.
Wiseman told Saipan Tribune yesterday it is the judge who determines whether or not his or her decision should be published.
“But it should be done pursuant to section 3404 Title 1 of the Commonwealth Code, which is titled Written Opinions,” Wiseman said.
He said section 3404 Title 1 of the Commonwealth Code states that “decisions of the Supreme Court and of the Superior Court which determine a case and decisions which determine a substantial question of procedure or substantive law shall be set forth in written opinions, with the reasons for the decision stated, within one year of submission of the case for decision, and shall be published in consultation with the Law Revision Commission.”
“So it’s really the judge’s call in deciding whether a decision has any substantial question of procedure or substantive law,” he pointed out.
Wiseman said once a judge decides that his or her opinion is for publication, the Law Revision Commission puts it out as a published decision, so if someone is conducting research it will be listed in the research area.
“A search of the Law Revision Commission will uncover all published decisions of the Superior Court,” he said.
Wiseman also said that published opinions also go to various agencies and the media.
