Courthouse Closures March 14th

Updated: 8:49 AM - Due to the severe weather forecast a number of courthouses will be closed. This article will be updated as new closures are announced.

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.

In need of prosecutors: State’s Attorney’s Office struggles to stay staffed

Minot Daily News: "The Ward County State’s Attorney’s Office expects to be operating with only about half of its allotted staff at the end of this March, which highlights a broader recruitment and retention issue affecting prosecution in western North Dakota."

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."

Judge Sonna M. Anderson 1958-2019

Retired South Central Judicial District Judge Sonna M. Anderson died March 10. Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, at First Lutheran Church in Bismarck. Judge Anderson was appointed to the bench in 2003 and served until 2018. A University of Denver College of Law graduate, she was admitted to the N.D. bar in 1985.

The man behind the bench

The Good Life: "While much of the greater Fargo-Moorhead area was shut down or closing early for the day, the Cass County Courthouse in Fargo was open for business as usual in spite of the record cold snap that had gripped the region that last week of January 2019."

Law library adds new titles to print collection

The North Dakota Supreme Court Law Library has recently added titles to its print collection that may be of interest to the bench and bar. These include books on unbundling, evidence, child custody jurisdiction and the Indian Child Welfare Act.

Job Announcement

A job announcement for a Juvenile Court Officer I with the Juvenile Court in Devils Lake has been posted.

Job Announcement

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

North Dakota Supreme Court justice living a pipe dream

Bismarck Tribune: "Lisa Fair McEvers blew air into her bagpipes, careful not to be too loud as the drones began to sound. 'I don’t want to be bothering Al Jaeger. He’s right next door to me,' the North Dakota Supreme Court justice said, standing in her office near the wall she shares with the secretary of state at the Capitol."

Finley-Sharon, Hope-Page high school students visit the Supreme Court

On March 5, junior and senior students from Finley-Sharon and Hope-Page high schools visited the capitol. As part of their visit Justice Jon Jensen and Justice Dan Crothers visited with the students, answered questions and gave them a tour of the court's facilities.

Long-time LaMoure County Clerk stepping down

Karin Boom, the long-time clerk of court for LaMoure County has decided to take a step back from her duties as clerk and, at her request, has been reassigned as the deputy clerk of court. Her replacement is Billi Jo Warcken, who was appointed clerk of court effective March 1.

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."

Ramsey County courthouse to close early today

The Ramsey County courthouse will be closing at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6. for training.

Job Announcement

A job announcement for an Assistant State's Attorney for McKenzie County in Watford City has been posted.

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."

Dunn County courthouse to open late today

The Dunn County courthouse will open at 9:30 a.m. today, March 5, due to inclement weather.

Job Announcement

A job announcement for a Juvenile Drug Court Coordinator with the Juvenile Court in Minot has been posted.

Updated bar exam application instructions available

Updated bar examination application instructions have been posted on the Board of Law Examiners webpage.

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."

Amendments to procedural rules now in effect

Amendments to the Rules of Appellate Procedure, Civil Procedure, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, Court and the Administrative Rules took effect March 1. Here is a synopsis of the amendments.