V. Conclusion
These glimpses of the history of the North Dakota Supreme Court and judicial system show how difficult it was to improve those institutions during the twentieth century. However, with the substantial modernization and unification achieved during the last third of this century, the Supreme Court seems well positioned to maintain a just and stable legal climate in North Dakota far into the twenty-first century. Still: "Just as freedom and justice are not free, justice is not easily attainable, nor is it enduring without continuous effort and personal dedication on the part of those who serve the justice system and those who would uphold and preserve it."(565)
The Court's future will certainly be favorably affected by the advances made in the twentieth century, but the Court will need more of the kind of continuous effort and personal dedication exhibited by leaders like former Chief Justice Ralph J. Erickstad to uphold and preserve it.
Footnote:
565. Chief Justice Erickstad's State of the Judiciary Address, State of North Dakota, Journal of the House 92 (52d Leg. 1991)