Previous Story
Wiseman’s replacement out in two weeks
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres intends to name the replacement of former Commonwealth Superior Court associate judge David A. Wiseman in the next two weeks and he has narrowed down his choices from 14 to four.
Torres’ announcement is expected to be made either before or after the Veteran’s Day holiday weekend.
He said that 14 showed interest in the position left vacant after Wiseman retired last May 15. All candidates turned in their credentials and Torres and his team of legal experts carefully reviewed each of them before narrowing it down to four.
“Choosing judge Wiseman’s replacement is not an easy task. We have to know the candidates’ background. Overall demeanor, personality, legal work, and prior cases are some of the guidelines that we set,” said Torres.
Torres has kept the names of the candidates under wraps. He is expected to interview the remaining candidates.
Torres’ administration has also consulted the CNMI Bar Association, and had been talking with lawyers and other members of the community in order to get good and qualified candidates on the list.
Wiseman’s replacement would join Presiding Judge Robert C. Naraja, Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho, Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo, and Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio on the bench.
Article IV, Section IV of the CNMI Constitution states that a “justice or judge shall be at least 35 years of age, a citizen or national of the United States, have resided in the Commonwealth for at least five years before appointment, never have been convicted of a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude, and been a member of the Commonwealth bar for five years.
The CNMI Senate will confirm the governor’s appointee and if confirmed the new judge will have a six-year term and a justice for eight years. The name of the judge or justice will then be placed on the ballot in the general election where the people would vote Yes or No to retain him or her to the post for another six-year term for a judge and eight years for a justice.
Wiseman retired as CNMI Superior Court associate judge last October. He was the longest serving Superior Court judge, being on the bench for 15 years.
