Man has 12 bench warrants for 12 traffic cases
A man was arrested last week on 12 bench warrants and not appearing in court for his 12 traffic cases that range from driving while under the influence of alcohol to seatbelt violations.
At a hearing on Friday at 1:30pm, Zhong Zhao appeared with court-appointed counsel, assistant public defender Tillman Clark.
Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho imposed a $23,850 cash bail—equivalent to the total amount of bail for the 12 bench warrants.
Camacho set the hearing for 3:30pm that same day for the court to locate a Chinese translator for Zhao.
Assistant attorney general Heather Barcinas appeared for the government.
According to court records, Zhao’s traffic cases go back to 2014 up to the present.
captain,
You have a good point, locals seem to be the advantage in the CNMI and our judicial system may have a tier system when it comes handing down fines and sentences. I wonder how many locals are running around in the CNMI with numerous bench warrants and our law enforcement don’t take notice. I know of several individuals with numerous DUI and outstanding bench warrants for non appearance for over a decade. Maybe it pays to be a local on our island chain.