Guam bill seeks to protect judicial offices from work-related threats

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

Fatal attacks on court officers in recent years have prompted the introduction of a bill that seeks to protect members of the judiciary and their families from potential harm believed inherent in their line of work.

A bipartisan bill, requested by the judiciary, would criminalize the "use of force, threats, or deception" against a judicial officer or peace officer, or members of their family."

Shawn Gumataotao

“Our sister branch of government informed policymakers two years ago that threats to their safety reflect a national trend of hostility toward our courts, and this proposal is put forward in response to the judiciary’s renewed request for senators to establish appropriate protections for judicial officers and peace officers," said Sen. Shawn Gumataotao, author of Bill 280-38.

The Republican senator said Bill 280-38 was similar to a measure introduced by Sen. Tina Muna-Barnes, a Democrat, in the previous legislature but later withdrawn.

“Bill 280-38 recognizes the serious threats that are made against the safety of Judicial Officers and our broader law enforcement community,” Gumataotao said.

Online posting of the officer’s or their family’s personal information is also listed as a crime under the bill cosponsored by Muna Barnes. 

“This proactive policy proposal comes at a time when citizens with opposing political and social viewpoints find it difficult, if not impossible, to engage in civil discourse,” said Gumataotao, chair of the public safety committee.

The Judiciary of Guam cited a 2020 incident involving a former litigant before a federal judge in New Jersey, who carried out an attack that killed the judge’s 22-year-old son and inflicted serious injuries on her husband.

On Oct. 19, 2023, a judge born in Guam was killed at his home in Washington County, Maryland, following a ruling in a child custody matter.

Following that incident, the National Center for State Courts warned that sustained attacks on the rule of law, public institutions, and the courts are increasingly manifesting in real-world violence and that normalizing such attacks threatens public safety and democratic governance.

“Bill 280 is by no means the only deterrent that is needed to safeguard the safety of judicial officers and peace officers," Gumataotao said, "However, it is a much-needed policy tool that highlights the real and unique dangers these public officials face daily because of the very nature of the services they provide to our people.”   

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