CNMI defense lawyers form organization

A group of defense lawyers in the CNMI has formed the Northern Marianas Association of Defenders, or NoMAD, setting for itself the goal of “defending liberty and ensuring justice” for the people of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Former attorney general Robert Torres, who was elected president of the new group, said in a statement that they are inviting all counsels who handle criminal cases at the CNMI Superior Court or U.S. District Court to join NoMAD. Community and civic activists committed to the group’s mission would also be welcome, he added.

“We have our corporate Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws as a CNMI non-profit corporation and are ready to move forward with our mission,” Torres said.

Some of the benefits of being a member of the group include access to legal briefs, legal research, case updates, and other resources for criminal cases from NoMAD (suppression, evidentiary issues, DUI cases); CLE courses geared toward criminal defense such as effective cross-examination; scientific evidence or expert testimony; assistance by fellow NoMAD members when solo practitioners are in a trial and need assistance with a particular issue/topic or court coverage.

Besides Torres, the group’s initial slate of officers are Mark B. Hanson, vice president; G. Anthony Long, treasurer; and Masood Karimipour, treasurer. The initial roster of general members include former presiding judge Ed Manibusan; Joseph James N. Camacho; David Banes; Bruce Berline; Steve Pixley, and Sherry P. Tenorio.

“Unfortunately, I regret that no prosecutors or attorneys from the CNMI Office of the Attorney General, OPA and or the U.S. Attorney’s Office may be members of NoMAD during their tenure with those offices,” said Torres.

Other basic requirements are that an attorney be a CNMI resident and in good standing in all jurisdictions.

Karimipour was recently selected as an instructor for the National Criminal Defense College in Macon, GA based on his experience and skills, teaching other novice and experienced defenders.

Torres described NoMAD as a non-profit professional association of defense attorneys founded to defend and promote the democratic principles and ideals of individual rights guaranteed under the Commonwealth and U.S. Constitutions.

“We are an advocates for the protection of those rights. Some of the examples of the mission of NoMAD here include securing a constitutional right to a jury trial here in the CNMI for all cases in which the jail term would exceed one year. Another would be to ensure the integrity of interrogations by requiring videotaping or tape-recording… Other cooperative examples would be to advocate for restorative justice programs and funding for rehabilitative programs in the community,” he said.

Torres said the group has also committed to “improving” the quality of justice through community outreach, advocacy for legal reform to ensure justice, civic and charitable activities in the CNMI such as fundraising for scholarships, and continuing legal education for defense attorneys.

“NoMAD’s mission will include advocacy of the people’s constitutional rights to due process, equal protection, freedom against unlawful search and seizure; right to counsel; the right against self-incrimination; the right to a jury trial; and the right to a fair trial,” he enumerated.

NoMAD will be seeking affiliation with national organizations such as the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, [that are] dedicated to the same mission of defending liberty and protecting individual rights.

Current members of NACDL in the CNMI are Joseph Camacho; Masood Karimipour; Robert Torres; and Perry Inos.