District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands

Justices and Judges from the CNMI Judiciary received a tour of the newly built federal courthouse in Gualo Rai, Saipan on December 28, 2020. The tour included visits to the U.S. Probation Office, Law Library, Second Floor Courtroom, Clerk’s Office, Magistrate Judge/Visiting Judge’s Chambers, and the District Judge’s Third Floor Courtroom and Chambers, among other courthouse spaces. The CNMI bench also met with Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona and Magistrate Judge Heather L. Kennedy in a roundtable discussion on topics related to the COVID-19 pandemic such as remote proceedings, vaccinations for court staff, jury trial procedures, and other judicial practices. The CNMI Justices and Judges are the first to receive an official tour of the completed building

In June 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands officially occupied the new courthouse in Gualo Rai. Prior to this, the District Court was housed in the Horiguchi Building in Garapan, Saipan for over two decades. Spearheaded by Chief Judge Manglona, the engineering and architectural feat was planned and constructed over a three-and-a-half-year period. “The project would not have been possible but for the many individuals who helped make it a success,” said Chief Judge Manglona

The federal court anticipates hosting more tours in the future. For more information, visit the District Court’s website at www.nmid.uscourts.gov.

From L-R: Chief Deputy Clerk Bill Bezzant, Superior Court Clerk Patrick Diaz, Court Administrator Sonia Camacho, Supreme Court Clerk Judy T. Aldan, Superior Court Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio, Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro, Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona, Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja, and Superior Court Judge Wes Bogdan. Not shown in picture are Associate Justices Perry B. Inos and John A. Manglona, Judge Joseph Camacho and Kenneth L. Govendo, and Magistrate Judge Heather L. Kennedy.

Group photo of the justices and judges after a special performance by the Marianas High School Glee Club, along with Hal Easton.