UND Law wins championship at regional trial competition

UND News Release: "This past weekend, the UND Law Trial Team of Emily Christensen, Montana Funk, and Erica Skogen emerged the overall winner of the National Trial Competition for Region 12 held in Lincoln, Nebraska."

U.S.: 'Excessive fines' ban applies to states, Supreme Court says

Associated Press: "Tyson Timbs admitted he'd sold drugs, and he accepted his sentence without a fight. What he wouldn't quietly accept was the police seizing and keeping the $40,000 Land Rover he'd had when arrested."

US Supreme Court won't take challenge to Montana campaign finance law

Montana Public Radio: "Montana's 2015 campaign finance law survived its biggest test Tuesday. The U.S. Supreme Court, without comment, declined to take up a case challenging the state's Disclose Act."

Minn.: Appeals Court orders name change for sex offender

Mankato Free Press: "A patient at the Minnesota Sex Offender Program who was born a man but identifies as female should have been granted a name change, state appellate judges have decided."

North Dakota judicial budget moves ahead without requested judgeship

Bismarck Tribune: "North Dakota House lawmakers approved the state's judicial budget on Monday, but without a new judgeship requested for the district that includes Burleigh and Morton counties."

U.S.: Justice Ginsburg appears strong in first appearance at Supreme Court this year

MPR News: "Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg - the oldest, tiniest and possibly most well-known justice - returned to her perch on the bench Tuesday, asking questions in a firm and strong voice."

Pamela Alexander, first black woman judge in MN, sees gaps and opportunities

MPR News: "Retired Hennepin County Judge Pamela Alexander, 66, is a fourth-generation Minnesotan and the first black female judge in Minnesota. Her interest in law was sparked at a young age when she witnessed the rape of her best friend and testified in court."

S.D.: Lawyers giving free legal advice to veterans this week

KSFY News: "The State Bar of South Dakota and the USD School of Law are teaming up this week to host a two-day legal clinic for veterans. The event will be held at the American Legion in Watertown on Thursday and at the Sioux Falls Disabled American Veterans on Friday."

Job Announcement

A job announcement for a Case Aide for the Juvenile Court at multiple locations in N.D. has been posted.

U.S. Supreme Court opinions: Feb. 20

The United States Supreme Court has issued opinions in a case involving state taxation of federal pension benefits and in a case on whether the excessive fines clause of the Eighth Amendment applies to civil forfeitures by states.