Notice of Consultation Wednesday, January 28, 2015

IN THE SUPREME COURT 
STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA 

[1] On January 26, 2015, Governor Jack Dalrymple notified this Court of the resignation of the Honorable Lawrence E. Jahnke, Judge of the District Court, Northeast Central Judicial District, effective March 15, 2015. Under N.D.C.C. § 27-05-02.1 a vacancy in the office of district judge will be created upon Judge Jahnke’s retirement.

[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. The Supreme Court considered the matter, and

[3] ORDERED, the Supreme Court undertake a written consultation with the attorneys and judges of the Northeast 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 February 20, 2015.

[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 Northeast Central Judicial District from the Trial Court Administrator for Unit 1. 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 the 28th day of January, 2015, at the direction of the Honorable Dale V. Sandstrom, Acting Chief Justice, the Honorable Carol Ronning Kapsner, the Honorable Daniel J. Crothers and the Honorable Lisa Fair McEvers, Justices. The Honorable Gerald W. VandeWalle, Chief Justice, was unavoidably absent and did not participate.

Penny Miller
Clerk North Dakota Supreme Court