HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — The Judicial Council of Guam signed two resolutions recently to celebrate the signing of the U.S. Constitution and to show appreciation to those in the community who have served the government as jurors.
On Friday morning, The Guam Daily Post was provided the opportunity to interview Superior Court of Guam Presiding Judge Alberto Lamorena III to discuss the importance of two resolutions signed by the Judicial Council of Guam.
One resolution was to celebrate this past week the 236th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution.
Although efforts to celebrate Constitution Week, in particular by speaking at public schools, have been hampered in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Typhoon Mawar, the presiding judge said, he took some time to discuss its significance to Guam.
Especially considering Guam was not governed by the United States until much later – after the Constitution was signed – and also after being occupied by the Spanish and Japanese.
“I think our perspective is not from 1787, but from our experiences that we went through. … And the American system, despite all its faults and despite critics you have, it is the best system we have. It allows us to be free,” Lamorena said.
However, Lamorena added, the freedoms granted by the Constitution cannot be taken for granted.
“We have to be concerned about anything that would affect that freedom. I always tell people freedom should never be taken for granted. … You have to earn it,” Lamorena said.
Jury appreciation
The second resolution signed by the Judicial Council relates to the Fifth and Sixth Amendments of the Constitution: The right to a grand jury and an impartial jury.
Jury Appreciation Week was celebrated last month as a way for the Judiciary of Guam to thank all those in the community who have served on juries.
Although Lamorena admittedly said being called in for jury duty is an inconvenience for everyday life, jurors “(are) the backbone of the criminal justice system.”
“One of the main concerns for the Founding Fathers was that they wanted to protect individuals who are accused by the government of serious crimes, that they would have a fair and impartial jury by their peers and not by the government,” said Lamorena who also explained that in his experience he has learned that being a juror helps inform the community.
“I think being a juror, it makes you more informed of what’s happening in the community. I get a lot of information from grand jurors … and they get a whole plethora of different cases before them and many didn’t realize this was happening,” Lamorena said. “So it (brings) an awareness to the community that they have to take part in what’s going on.”
Another point made by Lamorena was that, although the process may seem tedious, jury duty and paying income taxes are the only times most people serve the government.
“It’s an imposition, but I think it’s required. And I think it’s an obligation that we all have to serve,” Lamorena said.
A copy of the U.S. Constitution. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Alberto Lamorena III
