Prolific Defendant Conflicts Out Entire CNMI Bar; US Territory's Court May Fly in Guam Attorney
An exasperated judge told a defendant today that he had “done the impossible,” finding that all available attorneys in the CNMI Bar Association are conflicted out of representing Calistro A. Crisostimo, 28, either ethically or as a result of scheduling issues.
Superior Court Judge Joseph N. Camacho read from a list indicating that Crisostimo has been, or is, involved as a suspect or defendant in 34 criminal, family court, juvenile, traffic and temporary restraining order matters in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Saipan Tribune reports.
The judge and a prosecutor said they have never before seen a situation where all attorneys in the U.S. territory’s bar are conflicted out. Camacho said it may be necessary for the superior court to fly in a defense lawyer from Guam so that Crisostimo’s latest case can proceed.
Meanwhile, Crisostimo is unrepresented and jailed.
Related material:
US Department of the Interior: “Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands”
