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Coronavirus Response

The North Dakota Court System continues to closely monitor state and local responses to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and will be following guidance provided by federal, state and local public health agencies and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This page contains information about the Emergency Order issued by the North Dakota Supreme Court and other changes to court operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  These changes are intended to limit public gatherings as advised by state and federal officials. Any additional changes or updates will be posted on this website and communicated as appropriate. 

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 25 – Declaration of Judicial Emergency in Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic was issued by the North Dakota Supreme Court on March 16, 2020 and amended on March 17, 2020 to clarify that while the Court is suspending all jury trials until after April 24, 2020, the Court’s intent is to continue holding non-jury proceedings to the extent possible. A copy of the current Order can be found at this link: https://www.ndcourts.gov/legal-resources/rules/ndsupctadminorder/25.

JURY TRIALS

  • Criminal jury trials - Effective immediately, all criminal jury trials are suspended until April 24, 2020 or until further order of the Supreme Court. If you have a trial scheduled during this timeframe, notice of the new trial date will be sent once the case has been rescheduled.
  • Civil jury trials – Effective immediately, all civil jury trials are suspended until April 24, 2020 or until further order of the Supreme Court. If you have a trial scheduled during this timeframe, notice of the new trial date will be sent once the case has been rescheduled.

CRIMINAL CASE HEARINGS – If you are scheduled to appear in court for a misdemeanor or felony matter and are experiencing any acute respiratory illness symptoms (i.e. cough, shortness of breath), flu-like symptoms, have a fever, or are coughing or sneezing, please do not come to court. 

  • Defendants who have an attorney should contact their attorney for assistance. 
  • Defendants who do not have an attorney should contact the appropriate clerk of court office to discuss rescheduling your hearing.  Clerk of Court phone numbers can be found here: https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations.
  • Witnesses - If you are a witness in a case and are experiencing a health issue or circumstances related to the COVID-19 virus have made it difficult for you to appear in court, you should contact the person or agency that requested your participation to discuss your options.
  • Victims - If you are a witness in a case and are experiencing a health issue or circumstances related to the COVID-19 virus have made it difficult for you to appear in court, please contact the victim-witness advocate within the state’s attorney’s office to discuss your options.

CIVIL/FAMILY/PROBATE - If you are scheduled to appear in court for a hearing on a civil, family or probate case and are experiencing any acute respiratory illness symptoms (i.e. cough, shortness of breath), flu-like symptoms, have a fever, or are coughing or sneezing, please do not come to court.

  • Litigants who have an attorney should contact their attorney for assistance. 
  • Litigants who do not have an attorney should contact the appropriate clerk of court office to discuss the possibility of appearing at the hearing by telephone or having the hearing rescheduled.  Clerk of Court phone numbers can be found here: https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations.
  • Witnesses –If you are a witness in a case and are experiencing a health issue or circumstances related to the COVID-19 virus have made it difficult for you to appear in court, you should contact the person or agency that requested your participation to discuss your options.
  • 5-year Review Hearings of Guardianship Cases – All review hearings for adult guardianship cases have been suspended until after June 1, 2020. If you have a hearing scheduled during this timeframe, notice of the new hearing date will be sent once the case has been rescheduled.

JUVENILE – If you are a participant in a juvenile case and you are scheduled for a hearing and are experiencing any acute respiratory illness symptoms (i.e. cough, shortness of breath), flu-like symptoms, have a fever, or are coughing or sneezing, please do not come to court. Instead, contact the juvenile court that is handling the case to discuss whether you can appear in an alternative manner or have the hearing rescheduled.  Contact information for the juvenile courts can be found here:  https://www.ndcourts.gov/other-courts/juvenile-court#services

  • Participants who have an attorney should contact their attorney for assistance. 
  • Witnesses –If you are a witness in a case and are experiencing a health issue or circumstances related to the COVID-19 virus have made it difficult for you to appear in court, you should contact the person or agency that requested your participation to discuss your options.
  • To the extent possible and at the discretion of the juvenile court officer, personal visits with youth and their families will be replaced by telephone or other means of communication.
  • All classes taught by juvenile court officers have been discontinued until further notice.
  • If you have been court ordered to attend an educational or group session offered by a private provider, contact your assigned juvenile court officer for direction on postponing that requirement.

DRUG COURT AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COURT

  • Drug court and domestic violence court will continue, but all large group hearings have been canceled. Instead, the court team will submit written updates regarding the progress of participants. At the judge’s discretion, individual hearings for participants may be required.
  • If you have been ordered to attend treatment or education, please contact your probation agent directly to ask about attendance requirements during the pandemic.

ADMINISTRATIVE TRAFFIC – If you have requested a hearing on your payable traffic offense and are scheduled to appear in court but are experiencing any acute respiratory illness symptoms (i.e. cough, shortness of breath), flu-like symptoms, have a fever, or are coughing or sneezing, please do not come to court.  Instead, contact the clerk of court where the case is filed to reschedule your appearance to a later date.  Traffic citations can also be paid online at: https://www.ndcourts.gov/public-access/pay-fines.

ONCE JURY SERVICE RESUMES – If you are summoned for jury service and are experiencing any acute respiratory illness symptoms (i.e. cough, shortness of breath, headaches), flu-like symptoms, have a fever, or are coughing or sneezing, please do not report for jury service.  Instead, please contact the clerk of court to discuss rescheduling your jury service.  Clerk of Court phone numbers can be found here: https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations.

COURT-ORDERED MEDIATION

Scheduled mediations will be held by telephone unless they are continued by agreement of the parties or at the discretion of the mediator. Please contact your assigned mediator directly to discuss available options.

SELF-HELP CENTER and LAW LIBRARY 

The self-help center and law library are closed to walk-in traffic until further notice. Telephone assistance at (701) 328-1852 will continue to be available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or by email at: ndselfhelp@ndcourts.gov and through the Court’s website at: https://www.ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help.

SUPREME COURT COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Until further notice, participation in committee meetings will be by telephone or Go-to-Meeting. Members of the committees will receive an Outlook invitation from staff for the committee that will include the phone number and password needed to join the meeting.

JUDICIAL OFFICER AND STAFF EDUCATION

The following events that were scheduled during April have been postponed. More information will be provided once these events have been rescheduled.   

  • Court Management Program (CMP)
  • Judicial Institute
  • Juvenile Court Conference