The CNMI Judiciary has met with the House Ways and Means Committee yesterday to discuss their proposed budget for the fiscal year 2018.<\/p>\n
According to deputy director of courts Sonia Camacho, the newest court, the Drug Court, is in need of additional staff since they predict, \u201cthe numbers are growing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRight now, we have about 23 participants in the program,\u201d said Camacho, adding that drug court has noted indications of growing numbers in the near future.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need additional personnel to address the particular needs of that court,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The Drug Court is looking to recruit about three more personnel to add to their team.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201c[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,\u201d said Camacho, adding that the committee has a \u201ctough job ahead of them.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Judiciary is asking for $8.3 million for FY 2018. Gov. Ralph DLG Torres\u2019 proposal is at $5.9 million, similar to what the Judiciary received for FY 2017. The Judiciary\u2019s requested budget proposal for FY 2017 was a little over $7 million.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a significant difference of $2.3 million between their request and the governor\u2019s proposal. Thus, the committee has the arduous task of reviewing the Judiciary\u2019s 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,\u201d 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 \u201cto maintain a fully functional judiciary for the people of the Commonwealth.\u201d<\/p>\n
Also included in the requested budget is funding for repairs and maintenance for the judicial complex on all three islands.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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,\u201d said Demapan.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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