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."

Job Announcement

A job announcement for an Attorney III General Counsel with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in Bismarck has been posted.

Seminar on Alternative Sentencing in North Dakota set for April 5 at UND

The Rural Practice Association is hosting a combined CLE/CJE at the UND School of Law on Alternative Sentencing in North Dakota. The event will take place on April 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Women's prison inmates voice opinions on two year study

KFYR News: "The Dakota Women's Correctional Center in New England is expected to stay open for at least another two years. This comes after Gov. Doug Burgum announced its potential closure during an address in December."

Job Announcement

A job announcement for Contract Attorneys with the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents in the Southeast Judicial District has been posted.

Gov. Burgum signs bill raising age of culpability in North Dakota

Bismarck Tribune: "Gov. Doug Burgum has signed a bill raising the age of criminal responsibility in North Dakota. Governor's spokesman Mike Nowatzki said Burgum signed House Bill 1039 Wednesday, one of 10 bills he signed as the first of the 2019 legislative session. The bill raises the age of culpability from 7 to 10."

Amendment would raise civil lawsuit filing fee to support UND law school

G.F. Herald: "The State Bar Association of North Dakota introduced an amendment to the state judiciary budget that would provide direct, long-term support to the UND law school Tuesday in front of the Senate Appropriations committee."

New law school dean, backed with student support, ready to take the helm

G.F. Herald: "With the support of students and attorneys from across North Dakota, Michael McGinniss is ready to take the helm at the UND School of Law. McGinniss was named to the position following an internal search headed by UND Provost Thomas DiLorenzo."

Board looks at ways to help law school budget

G.F. Herald: "Amid budget cuts and an unsuccessful dean's search, the State Board of Higher Education is searching for ways to bring extra attention to the UND School of Law during what one board member says is a 'very critical' time for the state's only law school."

N.D. Attorney General opinion: March 1

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that payment of the aircraft excise tax is a condition of registration and must be paid before the Aeronautics Commission may issue an aircraft registration certificate.

Wrigley nomination for US attorney in North Dakota takes step toward confirmation

G.F. Herald: "The Senate Judiciary Committee has advanced the nomination of Drew Wrigley to become the U.S. attorney for North Dakota. The committee moved Wrigley's nomination by voice vote on Thursday, Feb. 28, to the Senate floor for consideration."

Proposed study sees 'more to do' for North Dakota's juvenile justice system

Bismarck Tribune: "A Bismarck lawmaker has proposed a study of North Dakota's juvenile justice system, seeing "more to do" after a previous study. Rep. Lawrence Klemin, R-Bismarck, who is also speaker of the House, introduced House Concurrent Resolution 3031 to the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday."

McGinniss named Law School dean

UND News Release: "Michael McGinniss, associate professor of law at UND, has been named dean of the School of Law by Provost Tom DiLorenzo. 'It was clear from the beginning of our renewed search for the next dean of the UND Law School that there was strong support for Professor McGinniss, and after careful review and after conducting the interview process, I can see why,' DiLorenzo said."

Law enforcement says it has adapted to population growth since the oil boom

KX.net: "A new report by The Bureau of Justice Statistics shows how violent crimes increased in the Bakken during the oil boom. The sudden population influx made things difficult for small rural police departments, but one police department said it will be ready for any future growth."

Job Announcement

A job announcement for Labor Commissioner for the State of North Dakota in Bismarck has been posted.

Changes to criminal rules go into effect March 1

On March 1, amendments to the Rules of Criminal Procedure and the Supreme Court Administrative rules relating to criminal cases become effective. Here is an explanation of these upcoming criminal rule changes.

Job Announcement

A job announcement for a Contract Administrative Law Judge with the North Dakota Office of Administrative Hearings in Bismarck has been posted.

Job Announcement

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

North Dakota reforms its prisons, Norwegian style

U.S. News: "Classrooms are complete with fish tanks bubbling with underwater life. Poetry slams and barbeques are a regular occurrence. Students take field trips to better understand history and groups volunteer once a month, serving food to the homeless."

N.D. Law Review Energy Law Symposium set for March 14 in Bismarck

The 2019 North Dakota Law Review Energy Law Symposium will be held March 14 at the National Energy Center of Excellence in Bismarck. The symposium is approved for 7.75 North Dakota CLE credits and there is no charge to attend.

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."

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."

Ernst to give lecture on Mayflower Compact Feb. 27

UND News Release: "Julia Ernst, School of Law, will present the next Faculty Lecture, 'The Mayflower Compact and the U.S. Constitution,' at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, in the Memorial Union Lecture Bowl."

Study shows just how violent Bakken became as oil drilling surged in North Dakota, Montana

Fargo Forum: "The notion that crime boomed in the Bakken as oil development took off is nothing new. But a study released this month by the Bureau of Justice Statistics offers a detailed look at the spike in Oil Patch violence."

Job Announcement

A job announcement for a Contract Administrative Law Judge with the North Dakota Office of Administrative Hearings in Bismarck has been posted.

Dakota Datebook: Lincoln's North Dakota Legacy

Prairie Public Dakota Datebook: "One of President Buchanan's last acts was to sign the Organic Act, which created Dakota territory. Consequently, the territory was just two days old when President Lincoln took office in 1861."