North Dakota inmates train future service dogs

My ND Now: "Inmates from the Missouri River Correctional Center are putting their time and talent to good use. MRCC resident David Gunderson says, 'It’s nice to give back. You know, working with the dogs, seeing them grow, helps me grow.'"

N.D. Attorney General opinion: Aug. 14

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that the Fargo Park District violated the law because the meeting notice for a special meeting of its Board of Commissioners did not sufficiently describe the specific topic the commission clearly knew it would be discussing.

Who owns the bones? A conversation about dinosaurs in North Dakota

KFGO News: "The national news has been covering the story of Harrison Duran, a college student who uncovered a 65 million year old Triceratops skull in western North Dakota."

What is ‘Good Time’? Is it Good for North Dakota?

KX News: "Simply put, good time is granted to inmates who follow the rules. Burleigh County State’s Attorney Julie Lawyer explains, 'There’s time that’s taken off the sentence they have to serve so that they actually serve less time than what they’re given in court.'"

Inaugural Justice Sandstrom Lecture set for Sunday

The inaugural Justice Dale V. Sandstrom Lecture will take place at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, in the Russell Reid Auditorium of the North Dakota Heritage Center. The lecture is on Judge Charles F. Amidon's role in enforcing the Espionage Act of 1917 in North Dakota. The lecture has been approved for 1.0 ND Ethics credit or 1.0 ND CLE credit.

‘Not enough’: How will North Dakota balance budgets and criminal justice?

G.F. Herald: "Every year, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem’s office releases a report on crime data from around the state. Running dozens of pages, it’s a mountain of information, with spreadsheets of murders, kidnappings and arsons, indexed to population, cross-tabulated against drug use — often described in granular detail, jurisdiction by jurisdiction."

N.D. Federalist Society to hold Supreme Court Round-Up Aug. 20-21

The North Dakota Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society will be holding Supreme Court Round-Up seminars in Bismarck and Fargo on Aug. 20-21. CLE credit has been applied for.

Ready for change: Is North Dakota’s criminal safety net too thin?

G.F. Herald: "The first thing Adam Martin ever stole was a bouncing balloon from a drug store in Breckenridge, Minn. He says he doesn’t know why he did it. He just did."

Too big too fast: North Dakota’s other housing problem

G.F. Herald: "Pat Bohn has spent a long time working in corrections — long enough to climb from a rank-and-file parole and probation officer in the 1990s to a job heading North Dakota’s entire parole and probation operation today. He’s seen a lot of things change."

Then and now: The political sea changes that built North Dakota’s prisons

G.F. Herald: "In early 1995, North Dakota parole officer David Birrenkott told state leaders about a very, very busy criminal. This man had been on a decades-long crime spree across at least three states — and to hear Birrenkott tell it, there was no sign he was slowing down."

James Sayler to be new North Dakota State Penitentiary warden

KFYR News: "The North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation says James Sayler has accepted the position as the new warden for the North Dakota State Penitentiary."

Calculated risks: How corrections officials manage North Dakota’s criminals

West Fargo Pioneer: "The Parole Board’s January meeting is in a second-floor conference room with fresh carpet and dark wood in the North Dakota State Penitentiary — up the stairs and down a side hallway from double metal doors and tight security."

Criminal charges are no longer an option for kids under ten

Valley News Live: "'I have a teaching degree - and then I went to law school,' says Karen Kringlie, the Director of Juvenile Court for the East central and Southeast Judicial Districts. 'And so it was kind of a natural fit.' Kringlie says when it comes to young children – they’re better off getting connected with community services instead of court dates."

More legal resources needed for North Dakotans' disputes

Public News Service: "One section of the North Dakota court system website that gets a lot of visitors is the Legal Self Help Center, but North Dakotans who choose to represent themselves in civil matters may need more resources than the state and nonprofit organizations can offer."

Job Announcement

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

A look at new laws taking effect Thursday in North Dakota

Wahpeton Daily News: "North Dakota lawmakers approved hundreds of bills during their biennial legislative session earlier this year, but many of the policy changes have yet to be implemented. That will change Thursday, Aug. 1, when an array of bills will take effect."

Big Muddy Bar Association hosts The Banquet

The Big Muddy Bar Association hosted The Banquet on July 25 at Trinity Lutheran Church. Volunteers served about 400 meals of pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw, watermelon and ice cream bars.

Women’s prison still at capacity

KX News: "Dakota Women’s Correction, the state’s women’s prison in New England, is at capacity. So what does this means for county jails that have to pick up inmates, now being turned away?"

UND to hold reception to welcome new law dean McGinniss

The University of North Dakota School of Law will hold a welcome program and reception with new Dean Michael McGinniss on August 23.

Flags at half-staff Tuesday to honor late Supreme Court justice

Bismarck Tribune: "Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the U.S. and North Dakota flags at half-staff on Tuesday to honor retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens."

Job Announcement

A job announcement for a Contract Attorney with the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents in the Northeast Central Judicial District has been posted.

N.D. Attorney General opinions: July 19

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued two opinions: that the City of Surrey violated the open meetings law when it failed to provide notice of its special meetings to the official newspaper and that the Belcourt School District violated the law by failing to provide the legal authority for withholding a record.

Program helped North Dakota man overcome youth problems

Bismarck Tribune: "Brandon Matties is only 24, too young to be looking back on life. But as he matures, he’s realizing how much he learned in his teen years and how the help of a local program might have shaped his future."

N.D. Attorney General opinions: July 18

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued two opinions: that the Dickinson School District did not have an obligation to obtain records from a private citizen organization and that an unintentional delay by the Mandan Police Department in responding to a records request was unreasonable.

State commissioners attend Uniform Law Commission annual conference

Members of North Dakota's delegation to the Uniform Law Commission attended the annual conference July 12-18 in Anchorage, AK.

Dakota Datebook: Not Guilty!

Prairie Public: "Sunday is often viewed as a day of rest, and blue laws even restricted Sunday activities and business. The origin of the term is murky. It is often said that the original morality laws in Puritan settlements were printed on blue paper, but there is no evidence to confirm that."

Pardons for minor marijuana crimes to be eligible for streamlined application process in North Dakota

G.F. Herald: "A North Dakota state panel approved a new policy meant to streamline the pardon application process for minor marijuana crimes Wednesday, July 10, which supporters hope will make it easier for previous offenders to find jobs and housing."

Job Announcement

A job announcement for a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney/Assistant Attorney General with the Attorney General's Office in Bismarck has been posted.

Job Announcement

A job announcement for a Paralegal Specialist with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of North Dakota in Bismarck or Fargo has been posted.

Job Announcement

Two job announcements for Attorneys with the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents in Williston and Fargo have been posted.

N.D. Attorney General opinions: July 2

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that the Belcourt School District #7 did not violate the open meetings law when each board member individually filled out an evaluation of the superintendent’s job performance and an opinion that the Linton Industrial Development Corporation violated the law because it failed to provide proper public notice of its meeting.

N.D. Attorney General opinion: July 1

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that the Beulah Public School did not violate the open meetings laws when three board members separately contacted the Superintendent with questions about an audit because the discussions did not involve a quorum.

2018 crime statistics highlight increases

KFYR News: "North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem released the 2018 crime statistics that are compiled by law enforcement agencies across the state. Last year there were 5,455 drug related arrests, a 7 percent increase in the state."

N.D. Attorney General opinion: June 28

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that Section 3 of Senate Bill 2004, which requires the State Auditor to obtain approval from a legislative committee before conducting audits, likely violates the separation of powers doctrine and would be found unconstitutional by a court.

Job Announcement

A job announcement for an Assistant Attorney General with the Civil Litigation, Natural Resources, and Indian Affairs Division of the Attorney General's Office in Bismarck.

N.D. Attorney General opinion: June 26

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that state law requires a real estate appraiser to have a permit to perform appraisals.

Job Announcement

A job announcement for an Attorney I with the Child Support Division of the Department of Human Services in Grand Forks has been posted.

Job Announcement

A job announcement for an Attorney I with the Child Support Division of the Department of Human Services in Devils Lake has been posted.

Job Announcement

A job announcement for a Legal Assistant I with the Child Support Division of the Department of Human Services in Devils Lake has been posted.

Job Announcement

A job announcement for a Legal Assistant I with the North Dakota Insurance Department in Bismarck has been posted.

Officers and state's attorney association train together

KFYR News: "Training for trials is essential for officers and attorneys. Drug recognition experts and prosecutors with the North Dakota State's Attorneys Association held a mock DUI trial [June 20]."

Job Announcement

A job announcement for a Director of Development -- School of Law with the UND Alumni Association in Grand Forks has been posted.

A Millennial in management: Thunder takes over top job in North Dakota Labor Department

Jamestown Sun: "Erica Thunder took over the top job in the North Dakota Department of Labor and Human Rights earlier this month. In a couple of weeks, she'll turn 30. Despite that relative youth, Thunder wasn't daunted by her new responsibilities."

North Dakota female prison populations hit capacity

My ND Now: "North Dakota’s female prison population has reached capacity for the first time, leaving some inmates in the custody of county jails."

Job Announcement

A job announcement for a Paralegal with the Attorney General's Office in Bismarck has been posted.

Attorney Jack McDonald receives Liberty Bell Award for First Amendment advocacy

Bismarck Tribune: "Bismarck attorney Jack McDonald received the State Bar Association of North Dakota's Liberty Bell Award [June 13] for work McDonald has done during the course of his career on First Amendment issues."

Job Announcement

A job announcement for a Legal Assistant II with the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents in Dickinson has been posted.

Job Announcement

A job announcement for Contract Attorneys for the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents in the Northwest, South Central and Southeast Judicial Districts has been posted.

Job Announcement

A job announcement for an Assistant Attorney General (Civil Litigation) with the Attorney General's Office in Bismarck has been posted.

Job Announcement

A job announcement for an Assistant Attorney General (Criminal and Regulatory) with the Attorney General's Office in Bismarck has been posted.

Job Announcement

A job announcement for an Assistant Attorney General to serve as director of the Medicaid Fraud Unit in Bismarck has been posted.

Job Announcement

Four job announcements for Assistant United States Attorneys for the District of North Dakota have been posted.

Federalist Society offers free CLE event June 12

The North Dakota Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society will present a free continuing legal education event at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12 in the Mozart Room at the Delta Hotels by Marriott in Fargo.

Job Announcement

A job announcement for an Attorney I with the Child Support Division of the Department of Human Services in Bismarck has been posted.

Dakota Datebook: The most remarkable trial

Prairie Public: "On this date in 1912, the Bismarck Tribune reported that Myron R. Kent quietly passed away in the state penitentiary. The news did not cause much of a stir. But at one time, Kent was at the center of what had been dubbed 'the most remarkable trial in the annals of the west.'"

N.D. will turn vet MPs into police officers with just 2 weeks of training

Military Times: "The North Dakota National Guard struck a deal recently with the North Dakota Peace Officer Standards and Training Board to offer certain military police officers a partial training waiver."

19th Amendment passed a century ago today

G.F. Herald: "A century ago today, on June 4, 1919, Congress passed a resolution in support of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which would give women the right to vote."

U.S. Attorney's Office to focus on white collar crimes, narcotics trafficking, violence in Indian Country

G.F. Herald: "After 42 days as North Dakota’s U.S. attorney, Drew Wrigley said he has focused on strengthening the office and plans to add new team members to help prosecute white-collar crimes and narcotics trafficking while also focusing on violence in Indian Country."

Job Announcement

A job announcement for an Assistant Attorney General with the Criminal and Regulatory Division of the North Dakota Attorney General's Office in Bismarck has been posted.

Coordination between programs key to curbing recidivism, North Dakota paper says

Fargo Forum: "A new paper just published in the North Dakota State Bar magazine tackles the complicated issue of prison sentences, repeat offenders and how the state can make a difference with a more coordinated justice system."

North Dakota honors fallen officers at memorial service

Bismarck Tribune: "A bell rang 64 times near the North Dakota Peace Officers Memorial on the state Capitol grounds on Wednesday, each time proceeding the reading of the name of a law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty since 1882."

Job Announcement

Job announcements for two Assistant United States Attorney vacancies with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of North Dakota have been posted.

N.D. Attorney General opinion: May 14

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that a city may not enact an ordinance similar to or identical to a state criminal law unless given specific statutory authority to regulate that area.

Latest N.D. Law Review issue now online

Volume 94, Issue 2 of the North Dakota Law Review is now available online.

N.D. Attorney General opinion: May 13

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that the City of Napoleon did not violate the law because the discussions by the mayor and two council members were not subject to open meetings requirements.

North Dakota ranks third in the country when it comes to juvenile drug arrests

Jamestown Sun: "A recent study revealed juvenile drug arrest rates in North Dakota are among the highest in the country, and federal numbers show those numbers have increased over the last decade."

Job Announcement

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

Judge Olson, Judge Stiel and Justice Jensen speak at NDAJ Annual Meeting

On May 9, East Central District Court Judges Thomas Olson and Stephannie Stiel along with Justice Jon J. Jensen, participated in a panel providing “Practical Tips from the Bench” at the North Dakota Association for Justice Annual Meeting in Fargo.

Juveniles are committing violent crimes at the highest rate in five years

KX News: "Only about 14 percent of unruly and delinquent offenses committed by juveniles, ever see a day in court. The rest are dealt with through intervention, treatment and sometimes community service, that won't result in a criminal record."

Gov. Burgum appoints new North Dakota labor commissioner

Bismarck Tribune: "Gov. Doug Burgum on Thursday appointed a new North Dakota labor commissioner. Erica Thunder will lead the Department of Labor and Human Rights, succeeding Michelle Kommer. Thunder comes to the job after 2.5 years as the judicial systems administrator for the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission."

Gov. Burgum signs bill reforming forfeiture in North Dakota

Bismarck Tribune: "Gov. Doug Burgum on Thursday signed the last 53 bills remaining from the 2019 North Dakota legislative session, including one reforming civil asset forfeiture. Rep. Rick Becker, R-Bismarck, brought the original bill to eliminate the 'perverse incentive' of 'policing for profit.'"

N.D. Attorney General opinion: May 3

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that a response to an open records request is required even if no records exist.

UND School of Law commencement set for May 4

The University of North Dakota School of Law will confer the degree of Juris Doctor during commencement ceremonies at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, at the Chester Fritz Auditorium on the UND campus in Grand Forks.

LSND to hold summer CLE June 12

Legal Services of North Dakota will hold its annual summer continuing legal education seminar on June 12 in Fargo.

Hurting for attorneys, UND program boosts rural numbers

Public News Service: "There’s a mounting attorney shortage in rural areas of the state, and the University of North Dakota is tackling the issue head on. The Rural Justice program at the UND School of Law offers scholarships to students to work in the places that need them most."

Job Announcement

A job announcement for Director of Admissions at the University of North Dakota School of Law in Grand Forks has been posted.

Fargo family succeeds in changing state law on juvenile sexual assault cases

Dickinson Press: "Gov. Doug Burgum has signed a bill into law that aims to improve victim and treatment services in juvenile sexual assault cases after a Fargo family pushed for the changes in the North Dakota Legislature."

N.D. Attorney General opinion: April 16

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that records relating to an ongoing lawsuit involving a public entity must be obtained through the discovery process, not the open records laws.

Job Announcement

A job announcement for an attorney to work with Legal Services of North Dakota/Legal Advocates for Health in Fargo has been posted.

February 2019 bar examination results

The State Board of Law Examiners have announced the results of the February 2019 bar examination. Of the 37 applicants who sat for the bar examination in Bismarck on February 26-27, 18 applicants achieved a passing score. This is a 49% overall pass rate, compared to 45% a year ago.

N.D. Attorney General opinions: April 12

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that the City of Mandan did not violate the law by failing to provide requested records because it never received a request and an opinion that the Crystal Lake Township Board of Supervisors violated the law when they held a special meeting but did not post a meeting notice.

Drew Wrigley confirmed as U.S. Attorney for North Dakota

KX Net: "The United States Senate confirmed former North Dakota Lt. Governor Drew Wrigley to again serve as U.S. Attorney for the state. Wrigley previously held U.S. Attorney post from 2001 to 2009."

Job Announcement

A job announcement for an Attorney I in the Child Support Enforcement Office in Grand Forks has been posted.

North Dakota Law Review Energy Law Symposium set for April 11

The North Dakota Law Review Energy Law Symposium will be held April 11 at the National Energy Center of Excellence in Bismarck. The symposium will feature a comprehensive program of energy related topics. There is no charge to attend and the event has been approved for 7.75 CLE credits.

Judgeship for Burleigh, Morton area added to North Dakota judicial budget

Bismarck Tribune: "North Dakota's Senate has passed the budget bill for the judicial branch, including a judgeship for the district that covers Burleigh and Morton counties. Senators unanimously passed the 2019-21 judicial budget bill on Monday."

N.D. Attorney General opinion: April 4

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that the ND Forensic Examiner’s Office and UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences did not violate the open records law by refusing to disclose the Reports of Death while the investigations were still active.

'Servant leader' makes his case

UND Today: "Mike McGinniss describes himself as a servant leader. 'I plan to lead by example,' said the newly appointed dean of the UND School of Law. 'I’m excited and humbled, and see this as an opportunity for great challenges and great possibilities.'"

UND law students enjoy litigation discussion

On March 3, first year law students at the University of North Dakota School of Law had an opportunity to listen to a panel of several members of the North Dakota bar who shared their litigation experiences and answered questions from the students on a variety of litigation topics.

Indigent defense offices work hard to recruit attorneys

Minot Daily News: "The hiring challenges facing public defenders’ offices in western North Dakota might not currently be as severe as those of prosecutors’ offices, but they are just as real, according to information from the North Dakota Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents."

Two CLE Programs to be held at UND School of Law on April 5

On April 5, the UND School of Law Rural Practice Association is hosting a program on Alternative Sentencing and the Law Library will present a Legal Technology Bootcamp. Both programs offer CLE credits.

North Dakota juvenile justice efforts advance in House, Senate

Bismarck Tribune: "The state Senate on Wednesday approved a resolution to study the state's juvenile justice system in the 2019-20 interim. And by an 81-9 vote, the House passed Senate Bill 2313, which would establish a children's cabinet and a six-year commission on juvenile justice in North Dakota."

UND law school Helen Hamilton Day program set for March 29

The UND Law Women’s Caucus will host the Helen Hamilton Day program titled “Ordinary Women Doing Extraordinary Things” on Friday, March 29. The program has been approved for 3 ND CLE Credits and there is no charge to attend.

Job Announcement

A job announcement for Director of Admissions at the University of North Dakota School of Law in Grand Forks has been posted.

Parenting coordinator training set for June in Bismarck

New Parenting Coordinator Training will be held June 18-20 and Advanced Parenting Coordinator Training will be held June 20 in Bismarck. This training will satisfy the 12 hour specialized parenting coordinator training requirement in N.D.R.Ct. 8.11.

Job Announcement

A job announcement for an indigent defense contractor with the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents in the Northwest Judicial District has been posted.

North Dakota advocates for local BIA training facility to combat tribal officer shortage

Bismarck Tribune: "North Dakota tribal leaders called Wednesday for the Bureau of Indian Affairs to “step it up” and provide more law enforcement resources while state officials advocated for a local BIA training facility to better recruit tribal officers."

N.D. Attorney General opinion: March 18

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that bonds payable from appropriations made by the Legislative Assembly must be subject to modification or repeal by future legislative assemblies in order to be upheld against a constitutional debt limit challenge.

Pretrial services likely next focus of North Dakota justice reform

Bismarck Tribune: "Efforts are underway from multiple branches of state government to study pretrial detention and services for potential reform in North Dakota."