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.

Jerome W. Shermoen 1927-2019

Longtime attorney Jerome W. Shermoen has died. A UND School of Law graduate, he was admitted to the North Dakota bar in 1952 and practiced law in Fargo and International Falls, Minn. A celebration of his life will be held at 5 p.m. on April 26 at the Elks Lodge in International Falls.

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."

Dennis L. Anderson 1939 - 2019

Grand Forks attorney Dennis L. Anderson died March 2. A UND School of Law graduate, he was admitted to the N.D. bar in 1982. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 8, at Norman Funeral Home in Grand Forks.

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."

James Purdy 1931-2019

Longtime Bismarck judicial referee and Ellendale lawyer James Purdy died Feb. 23. Funeral services will take place May 24 at Saint Anne’s Catholic Church in Bismarck.

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."