Members Present
Justice Mary Muehlen Maring, Chair
Judge William Severin
Shawn Peterson
Judge Ron Hilden
Dean LeBel
Judge Sonna Anderson
Jean Lindvig
Members Absent
Judge Ron Goodman
Judge John Irby
Staff
Louie Hentzen
Marilyn Moe
Justice Maring called the meeting to order. A motion to approve the April 15, 2005, minutes was made by Dean LeBel and seconded by Judge Severin. Motion carried.
Old Business:
I.Administrative Rule 36(6)(b)
The commission discussed the proposed amended changes to AR 36(6)(b). A motion was made to approve the amended rule and submit it before the Supreme Court for approval. The motion was made by Judge Severin and seconded by Judge Anderson. Motion carried.
Rule 36(6)(b) will read:
(b) The commission shall determine what shall constitute “approved course work.” Courses sponsored by the following organizations and their associated entities shall be presumptively approved:
(1) North Dakota Judicial System;
(2) National Judicial College;
(3) American Bar Association;
(4) American Academy of Judicial Education;
(5) National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges;
(6) American Law Institute;
(7) American Judicature Society;
(8) Institute for Court Management;
(9) State Bar Association;
(10) Accredited law school
(11) American Trail Lawyers Association
(12) North Dakota Trail Lawyers Association;
(13) National Institute of Trail Advocacy;
(14) Defense Lawyers Institute
(15) APPA - American Parole and Probation Association;
(16) OJJDP - Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
Prevention;
(17) National Conference on Juvenile Justice;
(18) National Drug Court Institute
(19) National Association of Drug Court Professionals
(20) Native American Training Institute - Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Conference;
(21) North Dakota Department of Human Services
(22) Minnesota Department of Corrections;
(23) North Dakota University System
(24) Lutheran Social Services
Amended change on Rule 1. (c) shall read:
(c)The state court administrator, or designee, and the education and special projects coordinator are ex officio members of the commission, but may not vote.
Amended change on Rule 2. (b) shall read:
(b) The state court administrator shall, with available funds, provide staff assistance to the commission including an education and special projects coordinator.
II. Bench Bar/Split costs
Justice Maring received a letter from Bill Neumann at the State Bar Association regarding the Bench & Bar Seminar. The State Bar Association proposed that the Bench & Bar be held every other year, scheduled for 2006. Bill Neumann is asking that we enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with regard to the Bench & Bar costs. The commission discussed the proposals regarding the costs. Justice Maring also stated that the seminar will be held opposite the Judicial Institute in hopes of better attendance. Judge Anderson made a motion that the Court pay $5,000 to the State Bar Association for the Bench & Bar Seminar
on a bi-annual basis. Dean LeBel seconded. Motion carried.
III. ICWA - Judicial Fall Conference
Justice Maring stated that ICWA will be on the fall Judicial Conference along with Native American culture. In addition, Dean Lebel has been asked to do Law & Literature for the conference. They also discussed having Judge Braaten and a psychologist from Fargo present on the role of the judiciary with offenders who have co-occurring diagnosis, i.e., mental and substance abuse diagnosis. Judge Braaten just attended a conference on that topic. The fall conference is scheduled for November 21-22, 2005.
IV. Amended Policy on Self-Study, Section B(4)
A motion was made to amend the policy to eliminate wording on B. 1. to read:
To receive credit for completion of a self-study course, an Application for Approval of Continuing Judicial Education Activity must be completed and submitted to the Continuing Judicial Education Commission through the Education and Special Projects Coordinator.
A motion was made to amend by Judge Anderson and seconded by Judge Severin. Motion carried. The amended change will be distributed at the next meeting.
New Business:
I. Education and Special Projects Coordinator
Louie Hentzen reported to the commission that they are interviewing for this position this week. The coordinator will start no later than August 1, 2005.
II. Judicial Institute
Marilyn Moe reported that the Judicial Institute was well attended by judges, referees, and municipal judges. The evaluations showed that they were pleased with the presenters and the substance of the presentations. Justice Maring felt that access to internet during the institute was extremely helpful to all those attending.
Next meeting scheduled for September 16, 2005.
Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Louie Hentzen