Administrative Rule 20 - MAGISTRATES—QUALIFICATIONS, AUTHORITY, EDUCATION AND PROCEDURES

Section 1. Authority.

In accordance with N.D. Const. art. VI, § 3, and N.D.C.C. § 27-05-31, the supreme court adopts the following rule relating to magistrates appointed by a presiding judge.

Section 2. Statement of Policy.

The North Dakota judicial system's policy is to provide for the qualifications, the extent and assignment of authority, and the conduct of the office of magistrate within the North Dakota judicial system in each judicial district.

Section 3. Qualifications of Magistrates.

Minimum qualifications for magistrates includes:

(a) United States' citizenship;

(b) except for duties delegated under subsections 5(a)(3), (4), and (6), admission to practice as an attorney in the state of North Dakota;

(c) physical residence in the county of appointment after appointment unless physical residence is waived by the appointing and confirming authorities.

Section 4. Appointment.

The presiding judge of the judicial district may appoint a magistrate to serve at the pleasure of the presiding judge. A copy of an order appointing a magistrate and designating delegated duties or an order modifying delegated duties must be filed with the state court administrator within three business days of the date of the order. Magistrates may be paid a salary as determined by the supreme court.

Section 5. Scope of Delegable Duties.

(a) The presiding judge of the judicial district may delegate the following duties and authority to a magistrate who has met the qualifications in Section 3:

(1) to issue search warrants under N.D.C.C. § 29-29-01 and N.D.R.Crim.P. 41;

(2) to issue administrative search warrants under N.D.C.C. § 29-29.1-01;

(3) to approve complaints and to issue summonses or warrants under N.D.C.C. ch. 29-05 and N.D.R.Crim.P. 3 and 4;

(4) to hold initial appearance under N.D.R.Crim.P. 5, and to set bail under N.D.C.C. ch. 29-08 and N.D.R.Crim.P. 46;

(5) to conduct preliminary examinations under N.D.R.Crim.P. 5.1;

(6) to perform registrar and clerk duties under the Uniform Probate Code, N.D.C.C. tit. 30.1, particularly N.D.C.C. §§ 30.1-14-02 and 30.1-14-07 in informal probate proceedings and N.D.C.C. § 30.1-15-05 in uncontested formal probate proceedings;

(7) to conduct preliminary mental health commitment proceedings under N.D.C.C. § 25-03.1-09, notwithstanding and consistent with § 25-03.1-02(3) and (8);

(8) to issue temporary domestic violence protection orders under N.D.C.C. ch. 14-07.1;

(9) to issue temporary disorderly conduct restraining orders under N.D.C.C. ch. 12.1-31.2; and

(10) to issue temporary sexual assault restraining orders under N.D.C.C. § 12.1-31-01.2.

(b) The duties delegated to each magistrate under this section must be reduced to writing and signed by the presiding judge of the judicial district.

(c) The duties of a magistrate may be diminished by the presiding judge of the judicial district upon notice in writing to the magistrate.

Section 6. Geographical Jurisdiction.

Each magistrate has the geographical jurisdiction within the judicial district as assigned by the presiding judge of the judicial district, and is expected to maintain an office in conjunction with a district judge.

Section 7. Alternate Magistrate.

The presiding judge of the judicial district may appoint an alternate magistrate in a county in which the presiding judge or another district judge does not reside. The alternate magistrate must meet the qualifications of section 3 and may be delegated duties under section 5. The alternate magistrate will serve as magistrate whenever the magistrate for the county is unavailable to fulfill the duties of magistrate.

Section 8. Vacancy.

The presiding judge of the judicial district may fill any vacancy in the office of magistrate or alternate magistrate under section 4 and section 7.

Section 9. Proceedings on the Record.

Proceedings must be heard on the record as in district court.

Section 10. Removal From Office.

A magistrate may be removed from the office of magistrate by the presiding judge of the judicial district upon notice in writing to the magistrate. The presiding judge must notify the state court administrator of the removal.

Section 11. Standard of Conduct.

The Code of Judicial Conduct is the standard of conduct which must be observed by each magistrate. The judicial conduct commission has jurisdiction over the conduct of magistrates to the same extent as it has over other judges.

Section 12. Continuing Education.

(a) Each magistrate appointed under N.D.C.C. § 27-05-31 must attend a continuing education program every odd calendar year as provided by the judicial branch education commission. The magistrate must be reimbursed for necessary expenses, travel, and subsistence by the judicial system.

(b) If any magistrate fails to attend an educational session without being excused by the state court administrator, the state court administrator will report such fact to the presiding judge of the judicial district and to the judicial conduct commission, for such action as it considers appropriate.

Section 13. Effective Date.

This rule, as amended, is effective August 11, 2021.