(CNMI Judiciary) — The local Supreme Court will be holding oral arguments at Saipan International School on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 10:30 a.m., as part of its community outreach efforts. The session will be presided over by Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro, Justice John A. Manglona, and Justice Perry B. Inos, providing a rare opportunity for students to observe the judicial process in action.
The case to be heard, In re Estate of Kapileo, involves a Superior Court decision that Appellant Sarah Kapileo was not an heir of Francisco Kapileo, based on the results of a court-ordered DNA test. The Superior Court ruled that consent was not required to conduct the test. Sarah Kapileo contends that the DNA test violated her constitutional rights, was inadmissible hearsay, failed to meet the standards for expert testimony, and that she owns the disputed property.
The oral arguments are expected to last about one hour and will be followed by a Question-and-Answer session with the justices, attorneys, and high school students.
The CNMI Supreme Court frequently conducts appellate arguments outside of the three courthouses to foster community engagement with contemporary legal matters. Community outreach is one of the seven goals in the Judiciary’s Strategic Plan.
“SIS has actively participated in the Supreme Court’s Moot Court competition since the inaugural year in 2022, and we are pleased to able to bring the judicial process to their campus,” Clerk of the Supreme Court Judy T. Aldan said. “Holding court sessions at high schools also increases a high schooler’s civic engagement in general and knowledge of the judicial system.”
