The NMI Judiciary might get only half of its proposed $7.7 million budget for fiscal year 2016, but it is amenable to \u201cmeet halfway\u201d with lawmakers for more allocation.<\/p>\n
Members of the Judiciary were at the House chamber on Capital Hill on Thursday for a budget hearing.<\/p>\n
Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexandro Castro said he does not expect to get the full amount.<\/p>\n
The Judiciary\u2019s proposed budget of $7.7 million is more than double Gov. Eloy S. Inos\u2019 proposed allocation of about $3 million.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, the budget proposal from the government is $3 million lower than what we are asking,\u201d Castro said, adding that the Judiciary would welcome a $1.5-million addition to the government\u2019s proposal.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf our lawmakers can meet us halfway and give us an additional $1.5 million, then we can keep our heads above water,\u201d Castro said.<\/p>\n
He earlier emphasized the need for more capital to be used for infrastructure repairs and hire more personnel. Castro said courthouses on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota badly need repairs.<\/p>\n
For Superior Court Presiding Judge Robert Naraja, the Judiciary would just have \u201cto work on that,\u201d referring to the possible additional budget.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do have a lot of things we want to do to improve the Judiciary system,\u201d Naraja said, mentioning that one project the Judiciary will be looking at is a \u201cproblem solving court.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said these specialty courts will address specific social issues, including gambling, and a drug court.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe drug court has been on our table for a long time,\u201d Naraja said, adding that these specialty courts will be established to \u201canticipate\u201d issues that may arise in the CNMI.<\/p>\n
\u201cKey to all these are the probation officers,\u201d Naraja said, adding that these personnel will be tasked to man the specialty courts. \u201cWe have the judges, all we need are the probation officers, then perhaps we can tap community workers.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Rep. Antonio P. Sablan (R-Saipan), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, lawmakers will look at where to find the additional $1.5 million for the Judiciary.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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