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Judiciary said it needs more staff
Drug Court predicts growing number of participants
The CNMI Judiciary has met with the House Ways and Means Committee yesterday to discuss their proposed budget for the fiscal year 2018.
According to deputy director of courts Sonia Camacho, the newest court, the Drug Court, is in need of additional staff since they predict, “the numbers are growing.”
“Right now, we have about 23 participants in the program,” said Camacho, adding that drug court has noted indications of growing numbers in the near future.
“We need additional personnel to address the particular needs of that court,” she said.
The Drug Court is looking to recruit about three more personnel to add to their team.
Among many other positions, the CNMI Judiciary is looking to hire a chief marshal as well as additional marshals for all three islands and additional probation officers.
Specifically, the Judiciary is looking to add two more probation officers while an additional two more were discussed during the budget hearing, making a total of four possible additions. Altogether, the CNMI Judiciary has 10 probation officers.
“[The committee members] listened intently and are very interested in what the judiciary branch has to offer to the people. Whether or not they are available to address all of them would be contingent to how they would deliberate on dispensing funds,” said Camacho, adding that the committee has a “tough job ahead of them.”
The Judiciary is asking for $8.3 million for FY 2018. Gov. Ralph DLG Torres’ proposal is at $5.9 million, similar to what the Judiciary received for FY 2017. The Judiciary’s requested budget proposal for FY 2017 was a little over $7 million.
“There’s a significant difference of $2.3 million between their request and the governor’s proposal. Thus, the committee has the arduous task of reviewing the Judiciary’s request to see which of the $2.3 million in cuts will be higher in their list of priorities to be restored should additional funding become available during the budget process,” said House Ways and Means Committee chair Rep. Angel Demapan (R-Saipan), adding that the committee was already aware of the need to fill critical positions in the CNMI Judiciary “to maintain a fully functional judiciary for the people of the Commonwealth.”
Also included in the requested budget is funding for repairs and maintenance for the judicial complex on all three islands.
“The judicial complex requires immediate attention and funding to ensure that the facility is conducive and safe for individuals to enter on any given business day,” said Demapan.
