Students get ‘Up Close’ look at the Judiciary

About 200 students from public and private high schools in the CNMI took part in the Up Close Program sponsored by the Public School System at the Saipan World Resort Royal Taga Ballroom last Friday.

Students from Saipan Southern High School, Kagman High School, Marianas High School, Grace Christian Academy, Tinian Jr./Sr. High School, and Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Jr./Sr. High School had a glimpse of the CNMI court system with this year’s Up Close Program topic, “Justice System in the CNMI.”

Friday’s event featured a discussion between the students and the panelists composed of acting CNMI Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro, presiding judge Robert C. Naraja, Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona of the U.S. District Court for the CNMI, U.S. District Court law clerk Richard Miller, and former attorney general Robert T. Torres.

Manglona, the first female judge in the U.S. District Court for the NMI and the first female attorney general in the CNMI, said in her brief remarks that the Up Close Program is a “wonderful opportunity” for professionals to share with high school students their knowledge of complicated issues in the community.

Naraja said that featuring the third branch of the government will allow the students to be educated about the rule of law and what justices, judges, and lawyers deal with that are “fundamentally critical” to the day-to-day lives of citizens.

“Today, we’re here in the midst of very esteemed guests. …We are in the midst of very important people that make a lot of difference in the community,” said Education Commissioner Rita A. Sablan, who welcomed all guests and participants to the event.

Sablan noted that students will deal with the law one way or another after leaving school and becoming full-fledged community members. She said Friday’s event was the “perfect venue” for the students to get to know more about those who “make sure that the laws are enforced.”

Court staffers did a slide presentation on the basics of the Judiciary and the justice system in the CNMI before the panelists answered questions from students.

This year marks the third Up Close Program, which brings students closer to the issues and concerns in the Commonwealth and have these students look at the issues from their own perspective, according to Sablan.

Last year’s Up Close Program featured members of the Legislature and the topic was how the budget works. On its first year, the program focused on Article 12, the landownership restriction in the CNMI Constitution.