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Notice of Consultation Wednesday, January 8, 2014

IN THE SUPREME COURT
STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA

NOTICE OF CONSULTATION 

Supreme Court No. 20140003

In the Matter of the Judicial Vacancy in Judgeship No. 8 in 
the South Central Judicial District

[1] On January 2, 2014, the Honorable Donald L. Jorgensen, Judge of the District Court, South Central Judicial District, informed this Court of his intention not to seek reelection. Judge Jorgensen’s term expires December 31, 2014. Under N.D.C.C. § 27-05-02.1(2) a vacancy in the office of district judge occurs if a judge declares the intention not to seek reelection or if a judge fails to timely file a petition for candidacy with the secretary of state under N.D.C.C. § 16.1-11-06.

[2] Within 90 days after the notification of the vacancy, N.D.C.C. § 27-05-02.1 requires the Supreme Court to determine whether the office is necessary for effective judicial administration. The Supreme Court may order that: (1) the vacancy be filled; (2) the vacant office be transferred to a judicial district in which an additional judge is necessary for effective judicial administration; or (3) the vacant office be abolished with or without transfer of a district judgeship to any location in which a judge is necessary for effective judicial administration.

[3] ORDERED, the Supreme Court undertake a written consultation with the attorneys and judges of the South Central Judicial District on this matter under N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 7.2. Any person wishing to comment on the vacancy may do so in writing no later than Thursday, January 23, 2014.

[4] It is expected the Supreme Court will receive a report discussing the factors under N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 7.2, Section 4, for each of the counties in the South Central Judicial District from the Court Administrator for Unit 3. Written comments may be e-mailed to Penny Miller, Clerk of the Supreme Court, at supclerkofcourt@ndcourts.gov, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Bismarck, ND 58505-0530.

[5] Entered this 8th day of January, 2014, at the direction of the Honorable Gerald W. VandeWalle, Chief Justice, and the Honorable Dale V. Sandstrom, the Honorable Carol Ronning Kapsner, the Honorable Daniel J. Crothers and the Honorable Lisa Fair McEvers, Justices.

Penny Miller
Clerk 
North Dakota Supreme Court