Present: Justice Mary Muehlen Maring, Chair
Judge Gail Hagerty
Judge Douglas Herman
Justice Carol Ronning Kapsner
Judge John T. Paulson
Judge Bruce Romanick
Staff: Ted Gladden, Executive Secretary
Renee Barnaby
Chair Mary Muehlen Maring called the meeting of the Executive Committee of the North Dakota Judicial Conference to order at 11:10 a.m. The first order of business was the approval of the minutes. It was moved by Judge Paulson, seconded by Judge Hagerty, to approve the minutes of the March 2, 2005 conference call. There being no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously.
Chair Maring stated a number of appointments needed to be made to standing committees.
Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee. Dan Crothers, an attorney member on the committee, needs to be replaced. It was suggested that Mark Friese and Jane Dynes, both of Fargo, be considered. Chair Maring will check with Mr. Friese or Ms. Dynes to see if they are interested in serving on the committee.
Jury Standards Committee. Robin Huseby and Judge Robert Holte’s terms are expiring, and Chair Maring will check with them to see if they are agreeable to reappointment. Ted Gladden’s term also expires and the new court administrator will replace him. According to the Bylaws, the committee is short a court administrative member and an attorney member. It was suggested that Chair Maring contact Dixie Knoebel from Minot to see if she is interested in serving as the court administrative member, and Steve Mottinger of Fargo or Monte Rogneby of Bismarck to see if either of them are interested in serving as the attorney member.
Committee on Legislation. Judges Paulson and Hagerty agreed to reappointment to the committee, and Chair Maring will check with the other members on the committee to see if they are interested in reappointment.
Committee on Judicial Compensation. Judge Hagerty does not want to remain on the committee. It was the consensus of the committee not to replace the vacancy created by Judge Hagerty. Secretary/Treasurer of the North Dakota Judges Association, Robert Wefald, can handle contracting with the lobbyist when one is chosen for the 2007 Legislative Session.
Pattern Jury Instruction Commission. Judges Hagerty, Greenwood and Haskell’s terms are expiring. All three judges are eligible for reappointment, and Chair Maring will check with them to see if they are interested in serving another term.
The next item on the agenda was the Fall Judicial Conference. The following topics were suggested:
*Indian Child Welfare Act
*Observations of a New Judge and Insight on Improving Bench and Bar Relations at All
Levels of Our Judicial System by Judge Kermit Bye
*Another Session by Dean LeBel on Law and Literature
*Native American Cultural Awareness Program
*Experience of Imposition of Mandatory Fines and Post-Judgment Remedies
*Offenders with Dual Diagnosis (Substance Abuse and Mental Health) - presentation by
Judge Karen Braaten and a psychologist in Fargo
*Effects of Child Custody/Visitation
Chair Maring will draft an agenda and forward it to the committee for consideration.
Judge Herman suggested the committee also start planning for the November 2006 conference. Focus of the program could be the law and children issues, or this could be the focus for a future program at the Judicial Institute or other program for judges.
With regard to future conferences, it was the consensus of the Executive Committee that the partnership be continued with the Bar, and the November Judicial Conference is necessary on legislative years. It was suggested that perhaps the Judicial Institute could be moved so we have better attendance at all programs.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.