Supreme Court of Guam
| Supreme Court of Guam | |
|---|---|
 The Guam Judicial Center; the Supreme Court of Guam is on the third floor of the building | |
| Established | 1996 (22 years ago) |
| Country |
Guam   |
| Location | Hagatna, Guam |
| Authorized by | Organic Act of Guam |
| Decisions are appealed to | Supreme Court of the United States |
| No. of positions | 3 |
| Website | Supreme Court of Guam |
| Chief Justice of Guam | |
| Currently | Katherine A. Maraman |
| Since | January 17, 2017 |
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 is subject to 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. Appeals of questions involving the U.S. Constitution or federal laws or treaties are hear by a three-judge appellate panel of the U.S. District Court of Guam.[1] The Court sits in the Monessa G. Lujan Memorial Courtroom, which is on the third floor of the Guam Judicial Center in Hagatna, Guam
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:
- Katherine A. Maraman – Chief Justice
- Robert J. Torres, Jr. – Associate Justice (also served as Chief Justice from January 2008 to January 2011, and from January 2014 to January 2017)
- F. Philip Carbullido – Associate Justice (served as Chief Justice from January 2003 to January 2008, and from January 2011 to January 2014)
The justice's full biographies can be found at the Supreme Court's website
List of Chief Justices
| Name | Term Start | Term End |
|---|---|---|
| Peter C. Siguenza Jr. | April 21, 1996 | April 21, 1999 |
| September 1, 2001 | January 23, 2003 | |
| Benjamin J.F. Cruz | April 21, 1999 | August 31, 2001 |
| F. Philip Carbullido | January 23, 2003 | January 15, 2008 |
| January 18, 2011 | January 21, 2014 | |
| Robert J. Torres Jr. | January 15, 2008 | January 18, 2011 |
| January 21, 2014 | January 17, 2017 | |
| Katherine A. Maraman | January 17, 2017 | present |
Retired Justices
| Name | Sworn in | Appointed by | Retired | Judicial Positions | Currently |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Charles Siguenza Jr. | April 21, 1996 | Carl T.C. 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 Healey Weeks | April 21, 1996 | Carl T.C. 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 G. Lujan | April 21, 1996 | Carl T.C. Gutierrez | †March 15, 1997 | Associate Justice (1996–1997) | †In Memoriam |
| Benjamin J.F. Cruz | October 13, 1997 | Carl T.C. 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 M. Tydingco-Gatewood | February 8, 2002 | Felix P. Camacho | 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. Anita A. Sukola
- The Hon. Arthur R. Barcinas
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 Magistrate for Guam/CNMI Federal District Court)
- The Hon. Katherine A. Maraman
- 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. Frances Marie Tydingco-Gatewood (Elevated to Guam Supreme Court. Appointed Chief Judge for Guam/CNMI Federal District Court)
- The Hon. Steven S. Unpingco