North Dakota governing bodies adjust to social distancing, remote meetings

G.F. Herald: "When the COVID-19 pandemic started to pose difficulties for local and state officials, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem knew it was important for meetings to remain accessible even if they could not be held in the same way."

Dakota Datebook: 1889 Suffrage attempts and the Constitutional Convention

Prairie Public: "Even as Dakota Territory prepped to divide into states in 1889, women’s suffrage was a point of contention. Suffragists presented a petition at the territorial convention in January that was signed by over 4000 women asking the legislature to enact a law giving women the same voting rights as men."

Job Announcement - Assistant City Attorney

A job announcement for an Assistant City Attorney with the City of Bismarck has been posted.

Melissa Hamilton named president of National Association of Legal Assistants

Melissa Hamilton, a paralegal with the Attorney General’s office, has been installed as president of the National Association of Legal Assistants.

Uniform Juvenile Court Act rewritten for the first time in almost 50 years

KX News: "The first draft of a bill to replace the North Dakota Uniform Juvenile Court Act was presented to lawmakers for the first time in almost 50 years."

Dakota Datebook: Suffrage at the State Fair

Prairie Public: "On this date in 1914, suffragists were prepping to represent their cause at the North Dakota State Fair, to be held in Fargo from July 20-25."

N.D. Law Review Symposium on Aug. 17 moved to virtual only format

Due to the COVID-19 situation, the North Dakota Law Review Symposium set for Aug. 17 has been moved to a virtual platform for all participants.

N.D. Attorney General opinion: July 16

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that the Department of Health did not violate the law when it declined to provide Information relating to COVID-19 cases contained in protected disease control records.

North Dakota’s only women’s prison might be closing

KFYR News: "The only women’s prison in North Dakota might be closing. Lawmakers heard a proposal to move adult inmates from the Dakota Women’s Correctional Rehab Center to the Youth Correctional Center in Mandan."

N.D. Attorney General opinion: July 15

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that the City of Fargo violated the law when it redacted information from an email because the contents of the email did not fit within the exceptions to the open records law.

1st North Dakota tribal youth services pact deemed 'sustainable'

Bismarck Tribune: "Early results show promise for the first agreement providing state court services to tribal youth in North Dakota."

N.D. Attorney General opinion: July 8

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that an executive session discussion between the Williston Public School District #1 and its attorney met the definition of attorney consultation, and was authorized by law.

Dakota Datebook: Suffrage Symbols

Prairie Public: "In 1914 in Fargo, the suffragists sold a common symbol, a 'dainty yellow rose' that made for 'attractive button-hole bouquets.'"

N.D. Attorney General opinion: July 7

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that the Williams County School District #8 and Williston School District #1 did not violate the open meetings laws because the discussions during special meetings were within the context of the posted agenda items.

Job Announcement - Legal Secretary

A job announcement for a full-time Legal Secretary with Legal Services of North Dakota in Grand Forks has been posted.

2019 drug arrests down, homicides up, North Dakota report shows

Bismarck Tribune: "North Dakota drug arrests in 2019 were down for the first time in 10 years but homicides reached an all-time high, surpassing the previous record by four, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said Tuesday."

Job Announcement - Legal Assistant

A job announcement for a Legal Assistant for the Bismarck City Attorney department has been posted.

Dakota Datebook: Pembina Bill and suffrage in 1874

Prairie Public: "In 1874, the Pembina Bill was proposed to the territorial legislature. This bill would carve a new Territory out of Dakota Territory called Pembina."

Dakota Datebook: Suffrage amendment passes

Prairie Public: "The Federal Suffrage Amendment to the Constitution passed through the U.S. House and Senate on June 4th, 1919; and thereafter, suffragists rallied, cajoled, hoped and prayed that their united dream would triumph as the bill was sent out to the states to be approved by a three fourths majority."

Job Announcement - Attorney II Public Defender

A job announcement for an Attorney II Public Defender with the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents in Minot has been posted.

N.D. Attorney General opinion: June 10

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that state law provides authority for a county correctional facility to contract with the ND DOCR to house a pretrial detainee who has unique medical needs.

N.D. Attorney General opinion: June 8

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that current law does not provide a mechanism for a political party to forego the primary election and place its candidate directly on the election ballot.

North Dakota’s top prison official resigning after 15 years

Associated Press: "North Dakota’s top prison administrator is resigning to take a job in the private sector, Gov. Doug Burgum announced Thursday."