New opinions: July 22-23

The Supreme Court has issued 21 new opinions.

Job Announcement - Temporary Data Analyst

A job announcement for a Temporary Data Analyst with the Office of the State Court Administrator in Bismarck has been posted.

Remote proceedings by electronic means a useful tool

Since mid-March 2020, the Supreme Court has enacted eight administrative orders aimed at providing guidelines for court operations during the coronavirus pandemic. Most of these orders have language authorizing or recommending the use of reliable electronic means for court proceedings.

Chief Justice's statement on resumption of jury trials

On July 1, 2020, jury trials resumed within the North Dakota Judicial System. Providing a forum for litigants to resolve their disputes and ensuring criminal defendants have a jury of their peers are both essential functions of our system of justice.

Job Announcement - Deputy Supreme Court Clerk

A job announcement for a Deputy Supreme Court Clerk with the Supreme Court in Bismarck has been posted.

Family law mediator applications now being accepted

Applications are now being accepted for mediators to mediate for the Family Mediation Program in the following judicial districts: East Central, Northwest, and South Central.

New opinions: June 29

The Supreme Court has issued 21 new opinions.

Order of Adoption

Petition Regarding Richland County Treatment Court

Court statement on proposed N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. Order 33 - Emergency Jury Selection Plan

On June 3, the Supreme Court issued a notice providing an opportunity for public comment on recommendations for a jury selection plan to be used upon resuming jury trials during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2019 North Dakota court filings down

Bismarck Tribune: "District court filings in North Dakota fell more than 6% from 2018 to 2019. The judicial district encompassing Burleigh and Morton counties remained the busiest in the state."

Court to livestream Tuesday argument

The North Dakota Supreme Court announced it will live-stream the oral argument in State v. Helm on Tuesday morning, June 16 at 10:45 am. The live webcast will be conducted on a trial basis as part of the Court’s outreach programs for North Dakota schools.

Supreme Court Law Library remodeling begins after 67,000 books culled

Bismarck Tribune: "Staff of the North Dakota Supreme Court Law Library have been discarding more than 67,000 books over the span of more than a year."

Order of Adoption

Adoption of N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. O. 25

Parents finding success with expedited mediation

In recognition of the concerns about parenting time arrangements during the pandemic, the North Dakota Court System launched an expedited parenting time mediation program on April 1 to assist parties in quickly resolving parenting time issues in an informal and inexpensive manner.

New opinions: June 8

The Supreme Court has issued two new opinions.

Supreme Court seeks law clerk applicants for 2021-2022 term

The Supreme Court is seeking applications from second year law students for five law clerk positions for the 2021-2022 term. Applications must be postmarked by Monday, July 13, 2020.

North Dakota court committee proposes pandemic jury selection plan

Bismarck Tribune: "The North Dakota Supreme Court's Jury Standards Committee has proposed several procedures for resuming jury trials amid the coronavirus pandemic."

Notice of Comment/Hearing

Adoption of N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. O. 33

New opinions: June 2

The Supreme Court has issued 20 new opinions.

Service Beyond Measure

UND Alumni Magazine: "Justice Gerald VandeWalle is the longest-serving Chief Justice of any state Supreme Court in the nation. Now, at age 86, he has stepped down as Chief – but continues to serve the Court."

Order of Adoption

Adoption of N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. O. 25

New opinion: May 14

The Supreme Court has issued a new opinion.

Looking Ahead: Expanded in-person hearings and the Judicial Branch budget

Chief Justice Jon J. Jensen provides details about returning to in-person court proceedings and the budget process for the Judicial Branch.

Clerk of Court Conference cancelled

The Clerk of Court Conference, which had been scheduled for May 13-14, has been cancelled.

New opinions: May 7

The Supreme Court has issued 27 new opinions.

Shelves coming down at state law library

The end of an era came on Wednesday, May 6, 2020 when the last of the books were pulled from the North Dakota State Law Library and most of the shelving came down.

Order of Adoption

Adoption of N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. O. 32

Supreme Court amends emergency order on evictions

The Supreme Court has amended Administrative Order 27 to remove the provision suspending eviction hearings except for good cause. The amendment continues the extension of the deadline to hold a hearing from 15 days to 45 days, and the authorization for the use of reliable electronic means to hold hearings and exchange evidence.

Order of Adoption

Adoption of N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. O. 27

Application deadline extended to August for 2020 Justices Teaching Institute

The deadline for secondary history, government and social studies teachers to apply to the 2020 North Dakota Justices Institute is extended until Aug. 15.

N.D. court system releases 2019 annual reports

The 2019 annual reports for the North Dakota Court System have been posted. The reports provide statistics and information on all court system activity.

Court amends pandemic emergency orders

The Supreme Court has amended Administrative Order 25, the pandemic emergency order, and Administrative Order 26, the emergency order for bail and plea proceedings.

Order of Adoption

Adoption of N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. O. 26

Order of Adoption

Adoption of N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. O. 25

Court responds to concerns about parenting time arrangements

Recognizing growing concerns about parenting time arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Supreme Court launched a new expedited parenting time mediation program on April 1.

Board of Law Examiners posts update on July 2020 bar examination

The State Board of Law Examiners posted new information regarding the July 2020 Bar Examination.

Order of Adoption

Adoption of N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. O. 31

Order of Adoption

Adoption of N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. O. 26

Job Announcement - Chief Deputy Supreme Court Clerk

A job announcement for Chief Deputy Supreme Court Clerk with the Supreme Court in Bismarck has been posted.

New opinions: April 6

The Supreme Court has issued seven new opinions.

Court offers new guardianship course

The Supreme Court has launched an all new adult guardianship course intended for new guardians and people who are thinking about becoming guardians.

February 2020 bar exam results released

The State Board of Law Examiners met April 2 to review applications and make recommendations for the admission to practice law in North Dakota based on the results of the February 2020 state bar exam.

Justice goes digital at the North Dakota Supreme Court

KX News: "In what is likely a first, the North Dakota Supreme Court March 23 heard oral arguments over the internet, meeting together in digital space through an online meeting application."

Order of Adoption

Adoption of N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. O. 30

Public access to court proceedings and court documents

The Supreme Court recognizes a continued need to allow members of the public access to court proceedings and case documents despite the current restrictions on physical access to courthouses and the method in which a court hearing is being held. Here are details about how to gain access to court proceedings and documents.

Order of Adoption

Adoption of N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. O. 27

Order of Adoption

Adoption of N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. O. 28

Order of Adoption

Adoption of N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. O. 29

New opinion: March 25

The Supreme Court has issued a new opinion.

The Court was working, yet the courtroom was empty

Most of the lights were out Monday at the North Dakota Supreme Court - part of social distancing caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. But the Justices conducted business nevertheless.

North Dakota juvenile court program looks to improve

Bismarck Tribune: "One year into a new North Dakota court program, collaborators say its areas of focus have become clearer for better serving youth and families involved in both the juvenile justice and child welfare systems and for reducing referrals to juvenile court."

Update on July 2020 bar examination

The impact the ongoing COVID-19 crisis will have on the July 2020 Uniform Bar Examination in North Dakota is not certain at this time.

North Dakota court committee considers changes to race data proposal

Bismarck Tribune: "Potential tweaks are in the works for a proposed North Dakota court rule to gather race data on criminal defendants."

New opinions: March 19

The Supreme Court has issued 18 new opinions.

Order of Adoption

Administrative Order 26 - Emergency Bail and Plea Procedure

Order of Adoption

Amend. to N.D.R. Lawyer Discipl. 6.1

Spring bar admission ceremony cancelled

With the concerns related to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), the Supreme Court has cancelled the bar admission ceremony previously set for Friday, April 17.

Order of Adoption

Administrative Order 25 – Coronavirus Pandemic

Law Library closed to walk-in patrons until further notice

Effective immediately, the Law Library and Legal Self Help Center are closed to all walk-in traffic until further notice. They will continue to provide services by phone and email.

Order of Adoption

Administrative Order 25 – Coronavirus Pandemic

Court web and network interruptions likely Thursday

The state Information Technology Department will be upgrading network software Thursday evening beginning at 6:30 p.m. There will be intermittent interruptions to court network services, including Odyssey, email, public search, and attorney access.

New opinion: March 4

The Supreme Court has issued a new opinion.

Amendments to procedural rules effective March 1

Effective March 1, the Supreme Court adopted amendments to the Rules of Civil Procedure, Criminal Procedure, Appellate Procedure, Evidence and Court.

Job Announcement - Supreme Court Law Clerks

A job announcement for five law clerks for the 2021-2022 Supreme Court term in Bismarck has been posted.

New opinions: March 2-3

The Supreme Court has issued two new opinions.

Proposed North Dakota court rule would gather defendant race data

Bismarck Tribune: "North Dakota's court system would collect race data on criminal defendants under a rule proposed to the state Supreme Court."

New opinions: Feb. 27

The Supreme Court has issued 10 new opinions.

Order of Adoption

Amend. to N.D.R.Ct. 5.4

Order of Adoption

Order on Mediation Fee Waivers or Fee Reductions

February bar exam underway

The North Dakota Bar Exam began in Bismarck on Tuesday, Feb. 25, with 16 applicants taking the exam.

Order of Adoption

Amend. to N.D.R. Lawyer Discipl. 3.1, 3.2, 4.4 and 5.1

Self-help forms to be out soon for requesting redactions of private info in court records

Bismarck Tribune: "Self-help forms and instructions are set to be available [this] week for people to request redactions of private information from North Dakota court records."

New opinions: Feb. 12

The Supreme Court has issued 14 new opinions.

UND Alum and N.D. Supreme Court Justice Gerald VandeWalle receives President’s Medal, other honors

UND Today: "Things often happen in threes. For North Dakota Supreme Court Justice Jerry VandeWalle, who earned business and law degrees from UND in 1955 and 1958, the adage proved true on [Feb. 4]."

Justice Gerald VandeWalle honored by the UND Alumni Association

KFYR News: "Justice Gerald VandeWalle was the center of North Dakota law for more than 60 years. Tuesday night, he was honored by the University of North Dakota and the UND Alumni Association & Foundation."

Notice of Comment/Hearing

Amend. to N.D.R. Lawyer Discipl. 6.1

New opinion: Feb. 4

The Supreme Court has issued a new opinion.

Order of Adoption

Proposed Adoption of N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. and Admin. O. 24

Order of Adoption

Amendments to N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 33

Online access to Supreme Court documents available since before 2000

KX News: "[T]he North Dakota Supreme Court has been allowing online access to certain documents since the late 1990s. This includes opinions dated back to the 1960s, briefs from about 1998 forward and some rules dating back to the mid-90s."

New opinions: Jan. 28-29

The Supreme Court has issued three new opinions.

New opinion: Jan. 27

The Supreme Court has issued a new opinion.

New opinions: Jan. 23

The Supreme Court has issued 23 new opinions.

Chief Justice visits Marmot School students

Chief Justice Jon J. Jensen recently made two visits with students at the Marmot School located at the Youth Correctional Center in Mandan.

Supreme Court suspends remote access to court records

Effective Jan. 8, 2020, the Supreme Court has temporarily suspended remote online access to court records by anonymous users. This includes remote access to district court documents and expanded remote access to Supreme Court documents.

Notice of Comment/Hearing

Adoption of Rule

Notice of Comment/Hearing

Amend. to N.D.R. Lawyer Discipl. 3.1, 3.2, 4.4 and 5.1

Fargo Inn of Court celebrates women's right to vote

On Dec. 10, Supreme Court Justice Lisa Fair McEvers and East Central Judicial District Judge Stephannie N. Stiel participated in a program organized by the Ronald N. Davies American Inn of Court in recognition of the 100 year anniversary of women’s right to vote.

Job Announcement - Director of Technology

A job announcement for Director of Technology with the Office of State Court Administrator in Bismarck has been posted.

Gavel passes to Chief Justice Jensen

The passing of the gavel ceremony from former Chief Justice Gerald VandeWalle to Chief Justice Jon Jensen took place Jan. 6. Chief Justice Jensen was chosen Dec. 12 to replace Justice VandeWalle and he assumed his new duties on Jan. 1.

Jensen ready to get to work as new North Dakota Supreme Court chief justice

Bismarck Tribune: "Jon Jensen likes the courtroom. That's a good trait for the new chief justice of North Dakota's Supreme Court."

Passing of the gavel ceremony set for Jan. 6

The passing of the gavel ceremony from Chief Justice Gerald VandeWalle to incoming Chief Justice Jon Jensen will occur at 9 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 6, in the Supreme Court Courtroom in Bismarck.

Order of Adoption

Amendments to N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 33

Order of Adoption

Amendments to N.D.R.App.P. 14

State Supreme Court clerk retiring after 31 years

Bismarck Tribune: "The woman who is just the fourth clerk of the North Dakota Supreme Court is retiring at the end of the year. Penny Miller took the position July 1, 1992, and has seen the office and the state's court system through many changes."

New opinion: Dec. 20

The Supreme Court has issued a new opinion.

Order of Adoption

Vacancy in Judgeship No. 7, South Central Judicial District (consol. 20190371)

Order of Adoption

Vacancy in Judgeship No. 6, South Central Judicial District (consol. 20190346)