F. Phillip Carbullido
(CNMI Judiciary) — On Wednesday, at the opening of the Pacific Judicial Council’s 2023 Technology Conference, Justice F. Philip Carbullido of the Supreme Court of Guam addressed a gathering of esteemed judges, attorneys, and distinguished guests throughout Micronesia at the Pacific Islands Club Hotel. With a theme titled “Welcome to the New Age,” the conference aims to explore the intersection of law and technology in the current digital era.
In his opening remarks, Justice Carbullido emphasized the importance of understanding, adapting, and innovating in response to the rapid technological advancements impacting the judicial system. “As we stand on the cusp of unprecedented technological advancements, we must confront the challenges and opportunities they present to our judicial system,” he said.
The conference sessions will delve into various critical topics such as the discovery and admission of Electronically Stored Information presented by Justice Daniel Crothers of the North Dakota Supreme Court, analysis of complex Fourth Amendment issues presented by Judge Mark McGinnis of the Wisconsin Circuit Court and Chief Justice Robert Torres of the Guam Supreme Court, and the evolving definition of privacy in the digital world post the Carpenter decision. The sessions also aim to explore the implications of search warrants and their exceptions, the evidentiary value of digital evidence, and the cyber threats associated with electronic devices presented by Mark Lanterman, the chief technology officer of Computer Forensic Services of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Highlighting the significance of ethics in judicial investigation, Justice Carbullido underscored the importance of understanding the rules and duties in the vast sea of information available today.
The conference will also provide insights into search warrants in the digital sphere, compliance with the Fourth Amendment, and the legal implications of emerging tools like Geofence Warrants.
An intriguing session on the “Dark Net” is set to shed light on the underworld of cybercrimes. Additionally, the conference will discuss the impact of Artificial Intelligence and Bots on the judicial system, addressing the opportunities and pitfalls of these emerging technologies.
Justice Carbullido concluded his remarks by encouraging the attendees to actively engage in the sessions, ask questions, and share their experiences. The conference represents a crucial step for the judicial community in Micronesia to stay abreast of the technological changes shaping the legal landscape.
Chief Justice Alexandro Castro also extended welcoming remarks.
For more information about the conference and its sessions, contact. Petrina Ula, judicial assistant to Justice Carbullido, and staff assistant of the Pacific Judicial Conference at (671) 475-3413 or pula@guamcourts.gov/.
