Justice Jensen elected Chief

Ballots were counted Dec. 12 in the election for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Justice Jon J. Jensen was chosen to replace Chief Justice Gerald VandeWalle commencing Jan. 1, 2020.

Unit 2 court administrators speak at Court Technology Conference

Unit 2 court administrators Chris Iverson and Rod Olson spoke at the recent national Court Technology Conference on 'Leadership in Times of Change.'

Low-income South Dakotans can seek legal help on many issues through new website

KELO News: "A new online tool that links lower-income South Dakotans and lawyers seems to be much faster than the old way, where legal-aid staff directly took people’s initial information."

New opinion: Dec. 17

The Supreme Court has issued a new opinion.

Lawyer licenses expire Dec. 31

The State Board of Law Examiners reminds lawyers that 2019 licenses to practice law in North Dakota expire Dec. 31 regardless of when the 2019 license fee was paid. Lawyers should watch their mail for the 2020 billing in the coming weeks and promptly pay the fee by check or money order.

U.S.: Man whose conviction was overturned by Supreme Court after 6 trials is granted bail

NPR News: "Mississippi man Curtis Flowers was tried for the same crime six times: the murder of four people at a furniture store in 1996. He was convicted four times — but each was overturned. Two others ended in mistrials."

Job Announcement - Term Law Clerk

A job announcement for a Term Law Clerk to U.S. District Court Judge Nominee Daniel M. Traynor in Bismarck has been posted.

U.S. Supreme Court accepts new Oklahoma case about Indian reservations

The Oklahoman: "The U.S. Supreme Court, which failed this year to decide a case that could have a major impact in eastern Oklahoma, has chosen a different path to determine whether tribal reservations in the state were officially terminated."

U.S.: Supreme Court refuses to consider cities' efforts to prosecute the homeless for sleeping outside

USA Today: "The Supreme Court refused Monday to consider whether state and local governments can make it a crime for homeless people to sleep outside."

Legal assistants bring Christmas cheer to Drug Court

Members of the Western Dakota Association of Legal Assistants visited South Central Drug Court on Dec. 13 to bring Christmas cheer to the participants.