RETIRED Judge Juan T. Lizama, who is running for attorney general, believes that “too many crimes go uncharged.”
“The current policy seems to be to only charge cases where the victim is physically hurt or if drugs are involved,” he said. “Charging theft cases only seem to happen if a tourist is the victim. This sends a message to criminals that they can get away with a lot. If elected I will broaden the range of crimes charged.
“Although I would see to it that more crimes are charged, I would narrow the charges. If you have one theft you do not need to charge 14 counts. Throwing the book at a criminal does not mean also throwing the kitchen sink. Only the charges necessary to prove guilt need to be charged,” Lizama said.
Lizama said other bad acts can be considered at sentencing. Swift justice is critical to protecting the community, he added. If elected, he said he would focus on getting to trial without delay by narrowing the charges if possible.
He also thinks that sentences have not always been fair. “Some serious crimes have received light sentences and other not-so-serious crimes have been harshly punished,” he said. “The federal system seeks to standardize punishment throughout the United States. I would try to do the same here by working with the courts and the Legislature to establish sentencing guidelines.”
In addition, he said there has to be rehabilitation not just punishment at the Department of Corrections.
Too many prisoners once released end up committing another crime, he said.
“They need to be educated while in prison and assisted in reentering the community. But for those who commit new crimes after being released, they should be treated harshly,” Lizama added.
He said when a convicted felon is released with insufficient notice to the victim and his or her family, “that’s another failure of the system.”
Victims should know that the felon who injured them is back on the street, he added. “The Office of the Attorney General needs to make victims a priority,” Lizama said.
He said he would have loved to discuss these topics in a debate with his opponent, AG Edward Manibusan who is seeking a third term.
The NMI Bar Association wanted to host a debate between the two candidates, “but my opponent chose not to attend,” Lizama said.
“A debate would have given voters a chance to hear the candidates express their views on a wide range of topics. By dodging the debate my opponent denied the voters this chance and he is now relying on his status as the incumbent to get the votes of anyone who is not sure who to vote for,” Lizama added.
“Now, perhaps more than ever, an attorney general is needed who is a deep thinker on the issues. And an attorney general is needed who is a doer. If I am elected, I hope to be the attorney general for the CNMI. I humbly ask for your vote,” Lizama said.
Variety was unable to get a comment from the AG.
Retired Judge Juan T. Lizama poses for a photo in Variety’s editorial office on Wednesday.
