Supreme Court of Guam

The Supreme Court of Guam is the highest judicial body of the United States territory of Guam. The Court hears all appeals from the Superior Court of Guam and exercises original jurisdiction only in cases where a certified question is submitted to it by a U.S. federal court, the Governor of Guam, or the Guam Legislature. The Supreme Court of Guam is the ultimate judicial authority on local matters. In the past, appeals of questions involving the U.S. Constitution or federal laws or treaties were heard by a three-judge appellate panel of the U.S. District Court of Guam, from which appeals could be further taken to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit,[1] but this is no longer the case. Since 2006, the court's decisions have only been appealable to the Supreme Court of the United States, in line with the practice regarding the highest courts of the 50 states.[2] The Court sits in the Monessa G. Lujan Memorial Courtroom, which is on the third floor of the Guam Judicial Center in Hagatna, Guam.

Supreme Court of Guam
The Guam Judicial Center, with the Supreme Court on the third floor
Established1996 (27 years ago)
LocationHagatna, Guam
Authorized byOrganic Act of Guam
Appeals toSupreme Court of the United States
Number of positions3
WebsiteSupreme Court of Guam
Chief Justice
CurrentlyRobert Torres
SinceJanuary 17, 2023

Structure

The Court is composed of three justices who are appointed by the Governor of Guam and confirmed by the Guam Legislature. Justices serve for terms of good behavior, subject to a retention election every ten years after his/her appointment. The three justices issue judgment on all cases brought before them. They all sit on the Judicial Council of Guam, which is ultimately in charge of the administration of the Guam Judiciary.

Current justices

The current justices of the Supreme Court of Guam are:

  • Robert Torres – Chief Justice
  • Philip Carbullido – Associate Justice
  • Katherine Maraman – Associate Justice

The justice's full biographies can be found at the Supreme Court's website

List of chief justices
Name Sworn in Appointer Term start Term end
Peter Siguenza April 21, 1996 Carl Gutierrez April 21, 1996 April 21, 1999
September 1, 2001 January 23, 2003
Benjamin Cruz October 13, 1997 Carl Gutierrez April 21, 1999 August 31, 2001
Philip Carbullido October 27, 2000 Carl Gutierrez January 23, 2003 January 15, 2008
January 18, 2011 January 21, 2014
January 21, 2020 January 17, 2023
Robert Torres January 16, 2004 Felix P. Camacho January 15, 2008 January 18, 2011
January 21, 2014 January 17, 2017
January 17, 2023 present
Katherine Maraman February 21, 2008 Felix P. Camacho January 17, 2017 January 21, 2020

Retired justices
Name Sworn in Appointed by Retired Judicial positions Currently
Peter Siguenza April 21, 1996 Carl Gutierrez August 31, 2001 Chief Justice of Guam (1996–1999; 2001–2003); Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Guam (1999–2001); Judge of the Superior Court of Guam (1984–1996) Retired
Janet Healy Weeks April 21, 1996 Carl Gutierrez April 30, 1999 Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Guam (1996–1999); Judge of the Superior Court of Guam (1975–1996) Retired
Monessa Lujan April 21, 1996 Carl Gutierrez March 15, 1997 Associate Justice (1996–1997) Deceased
Benjamin Cruz October 13, 1997 Carl Gutierrez August 31, 2001 Chief Justice of Guam (1999–2001); Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Guam (1997–1999); Judge of the Superior Court of Guam (1984–1997) Vice Speaker, I Mina' Trentai Dos Na Lihislaturan Guahan
Frances Tydingco-Gatewood February 8, 2002 Carl Gutierrez October 29, 2006 Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Guam (2002–2006); Judge of the Superior Court of Guam (1994–2001) Chief Judge, United States District Court of Guam

The Superior Court of Guam

Judges of the Superior Court are appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Legislature for a term of eight years. If they wish to continue in office, their names are placed on the ballot at a general election. They must garner at least 50 percent plus one favorable vote of the number of cast ballots to remain in office. Judge Richard Benson and Judge Joaquin E. Manibusan were the first to be placed on a ballot. They both received the overwhelming approval of the voters.

The Superior Court is a court of general jurisdiction, and its seven judges preside over criminal, civil, juvenile, probate, small claims, traffic and child support cases brought before them. The hearing officer generally does not preside over all of these subjects, but is utilized predominantly in small claims, family, and traffic matters. In December 2005, the Adult and Juvenile Drug Courts were recognized as courts of record of the Judiciary of Guam. These programs are examples of "therapeutic justice" which focuses on rehabilitation of offenders and their reintegration into society. Judges are assigned to cases on a rotating basis, though one is rotated into assignment as designated Drug Court judge exclusively for a specified period (currently yearly). The Presiding Judge's additional responsibility is primarily procedural and administrative concerns, though formerly the "PJ," as the position is commonly referred to, assigned cases to the various judges.

The current Judges of the Superior Court of Guam are:

  • The Hon. Alberto C. Lamorena III (Presiding Judge)
  • The Hon. Elyze M. Iriarte
  • The Hon. Maria T. Cenzon
  • The Hon. Michael J. Bordallo
  • The Hon. Vernon P. Perez
  • The Hon. Arthur R. Barcinas
  • The Hon. Dana A. Gutierrez
  • The Hon. Alberto Tolentino

Former Judges include:

  • The Hon. Paul J. Abbate Jr. (Presiding Judge)
  • The Hon. Elizabeth Barrett-Anderson
  • The Hon. Richard Benson
  • The Hon. James L. Canto II
  • The Hon. Benjamin J. Cruz. (Elevated to Guam Supreme Court)
  • The Hon. Judge Ramon V. Diaz
  • The Hon. Janet Healy-Weeks (Elevated to Guam Supreme Court)
  • The Hon. Joaquin V.E. Manibusan
  • The Hon. Joaquin V.E. Manibusan Jr. (Appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge for District Court of Guam)
  • The Hon. Joaquin C. Perez (Guam's first Presiding Judge)
  • The Hon. John Raker
  • The Hon. Vicente C. Reyes (Guam's first island attorney)
  • The Hon. Peter C. Siguenza Jr. (Elevated to Guam Supreme Court)
  • The Hon. Anita A. Sukola
  • The Hon. Frances Tydingco-Gatewood (Elevated to Guam Supreme Court. Appointed Chief Judge for District Court of Guam)
  • The Hon. Steven S. Unpingco

See also

References
  1. "48 U.S.C. § 1424–3".
  2. Judiciary of Guam. "Judicial History". Retrieved 4 May 2021.
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