Minutes
Members Present:
Judge Donald Jorgensen, Chair
Judge Zane Anderson
Judge Bruce Bohlman
Judge Richard Geiger
Justice Carol Kapsner
David McGeary
Members Absent:
Peggy Larson
Keithe Nelson (ex officio)
Staff:
Carla Kolling
Chair Jorgensen called the meeting to order at 12:00 Noon and drew the members' attention to the first item on the agenda, the minutes of the November 22, 1999 meeting. The minutes were approved by consensus.
Judge McGuire's Request for CJE Hours
Chair Jorgensen solicited comments from the members concerning Judge Anderson's recommendation to provide Judge McGuire 12 CJE hours for his attendance at the "Street Survival 99" Seminar held at the Ramada Plaza Suites in Fargo on April 20-22, 1999.
Judge Anderson commented that after reviewing Judge McGuire's supplemental material, he awarded him 12 hours of CJE. Once again he emphasized that he believed that 50% of the information contained in the seminar was useful to judges. Judge Geiger disagreed. He stated that the content of the program was designed for law enforcement personnel and not judges. He expressed concern over the fact that the portion of the program dealing with case law was being facilitated by a non-law trained individual. Other members supported Judge Anderson's recommendation. A motion was made by Judge Anderson, seconded by Justice Kapsner to award Judge McGuire 12 CJE hours for his attendance at the seminar. The motion passed, Judge Geiger dissented.
Review of Education Policies
Carla Kolling provided, for the members' review, the policies relating to writing activities, course approval, self study and accreditation of faculty participation. She explained that many of the policies have not been reviewed for a number of years and may contain areas that require attention. Justice Kapsner recommended that we not develop a policy on a procedure if the information is included in Administrative Rule 36. Judge Bohlman offered to review the policies and report to the members at a future meeting.
Vacancy on the Commission - Municipal Judge & Juvenile Court Representative
Chair Jorgensen explained that effective January 1, 2000, we have two vacancies on the Commission, a representative of the municipal court judges and juvenile court. He explained that both individuals currently filling those positions have served the maximum number of terms on the Commission and are therefore unable to be reappointed for another term. Judge Jorgensen invited Dave McGeary to participate as a guest until the juvenile court videotape project is complete. He informed the members that he had contacted Bill Severin to see whether he would be willing to serve as the representative for the municipal court judges. He explained that Bill is willing to serve if appointed. Judge Jorgensen requested Dave to contact the President of the Juvenile Court Association and ask that he notify the members of the Juvenile Court Education Committee to see if there was any one interested in serving on the Commission and if not to open it up to the entire association. Judge Jorgensen informed the Commission that once he has received a name from the President of the Juvenile Court Association, he would submit that name together with Bill Severin's to the Executive Committee for formal appointment. Judge Jorgensen explained that the Executive Committee has appointed Candace Zierdt to fill the vacancy created by Mike Ahlen's resignation.
Leadership Institute
Judge Jorgensen invited Carla to update the members on the status of the upcoming Leadership Institute. Carla explained that all the arrangements for the program have been finalized. She expressed concern over the low preregistration count for the municipal and district judges. Judge Jorgensen agreed to contact those who have not signed up and encourage their participation.
The meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carla Kolling
Staff