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OAG reviewing sanctions order
The Office of the Attorney General is presently reviewing the sanctions order as to assistant attorney general Betsy Weintraub issued by the Superior Court in Commonwealth v. Murphy, Criminal Case 16-0160.
In a statement on Friday, it said that Attorney General Edward Manibusan acknowledges that the Commonwealth Constitution, like the U.S. Constitution, assigns certain responsibilities to each branch of government. He adds that these responsibilities serve as checks and balances on the other branches, and create a separation of powers.
“In our criminal justice system, the prosecutor has broad discretion in deciding whom to prosecute,” he said.
He explained that the Commonwealth does not often seek dismissal of a criminal case, but when it does the case law is clear that the prosecution is entitled to a presumption of good faith “because we are exercising” our constitutional powers.
“The Office of the Attorney General takes this responsibility very seriously,” he said.
The Commonwealth, upon completing its review, will decide whether a review by the Supreme Court is permissible. “I support the prosecutors in my office when they follow the proper procedures and act in the best interest of justice,” Manibusan said. (Saipan Tribune)
