Pretrial services pilot project launched

Minot Daily News: "A pre-trial services pilot project was launched this month in the East Central, North Central and South Central judicial districts. The program is aimed at helping low-risk defendants stay out of custody while they are awaiting the resolution of their cases and avoid further disrupting their lives and the lives of their families."

8th Circuit decides N.D. case: July 27

The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has reversed the district court's decision in a North Dakota oil and gas lease case.

Study finds problem areas in ND’s juvenile justice system

KFYR News: "North Dakota’s juvenile justice system is under very close scrutiny. Last year, the legislature approved the study of juvenile justice laws. Now, the answers are available."

Supreme Court denies Nevada church's appeal of coronavirus rule

MPR News: "A sharply divided U.S. Supreme Court denied a rural Nevada church’s request late Friday to strike down as unconstitutional a 50-person cap on worship services as part of the state’s ongoing response to the coronavirus."

Job Announcement - Assistant City Attorney

A job announcement for an Assistant City Attorney with the City of Bismarck has been posted.

U.S. District Court posts updated coronavirus operations order

The United States District Court for the District of North Dakota has posted an updated order on court operations under the exigent circumstances created by COVID-19.

Melissa Hamilton named president of National Association of Legal Assistants

Melissa Hamilton, a paralegal with the Attorney General’s office, has been installed as president of the National Association of Legal Assistants.

North Dakota lawyers see major case backlog as trials resume

KX News: "Now that a North Dakota Supreme Court Administrative Order has been lifted, jury trials can resume. Trials were allowed to start up again July 1, but with a few months of backlog."

New opinions: July 22-23

The Supreme Court has issued 21 new opinions.

Uniform Juvenile Court Act rewritten for the first time in almost 50 years

KX News: "The first draft of a bill to replace the North Dakota Uniform Juvenile Court Act was presented to lawmakers for the first time in almost 50 years."