Saipan, CNMI – The NMI Judiciary will be hosting the Commonwealth’s first ever High School Moot Court Competition on December 6–7. Eighteen high school students from across the Commonwealth have participated in a 10-week Moot Court program that will culminate in a two-day tournament at the Guma’ Hustisia. The students have learned how to argue in a court of appeals by participating in workshops, drafting legal briefs, and practicing analytical skills.
Students will present arguments on behalf of their clients in the mock case Sablan v. Anatahan High School, in which a school official found an antique fishing spear during an unconsented search of a student’s truck. Competitors must answer two legal questions: if searching the truck violated the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and if the fishing spear qualifies as a dangerous or deadly weapon.
“These outstanding students will compete before panels of justices at the Guma’ Hustisia. Teams of two students will represent opposing sides. We appreciate the assistance of the CNMI Bar Association members who will serve as justices for the preliminary and semi-final rounds,” said Supreme Court Clerk of Court Judy T. Aldan.
“In the championship round on December 7, the top two teams will argue before Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro, Justice John A. Mangloña, Justice Perry B. Inos, and Chief Judge Ramona V. Mangloña and Magistrate Judge Heather L. Kennedy of the United States District Court for the NMI.”
The champions, finalists, and semi-finalists will receive awards recognizing their achievement. The winning team will represent the Commonwealth at the National Association of Moot Court tournament at the University of California Santa Barbara in March 2024.
Funding for the program has been provided by the Federal Programs Office of the Public School System.
The public is invited to attend the competition on December 6 and 7 beginning at 10 am. The moot court case materials are available at NMIJudiciary.gov.
For more information, contact Supreme Court Clerk of Court Judy T. Aldan at Supreme.Court@NMIJudiciary.gov.