Saipan Rep. Flores calls for reform to judges’ recusals after AG disqualified from Torres case

Saipan Rep. Marissa Flores said the recent Superior Court ruling that disqualified the Attorney General’s Office from prosecuting former governor Ralph Torres’ criminal case has sparked “significant public concern.” Flores said it also calls into question the integrity of the legal system.

The CNMI AG plans to appeal the ruling by Judge Pro tempore Arthur Barcinas before the next hearing in October.

“We must address why all of our local judges are recusing themselves from this case. As the judges provided no public explanation for the recusals, our confidence in the judicial process is deeply undermined. What specific conflict of interest or bias prevents them from hearing the case? The public deserves transparency in understanding why our judiciary cannot fully engage with such a significant matter,” Rep. Flores said in a press release.

She added, “This transfer of responsibility prompts concerns about the separation of powers and the potential for political interference. And all of this after we had amended our constitution to make sure that the AG was elected and independent!”

Flores suggested that the CNMI should reform its laws to require judges to provide specific reasons for their recusal from a case. She believes it would better inform the public about the progress of a case, especially high profile ones.

Flores added, “The future of our legal system depends on its ability to operate transparently and impartially, and it is the responsibility of all involved to uphold these principles."