Lawyer licenses expire Dec. 31

The State Board of Law Examiners reminds lawyers that 2019 licenses to practice law in North Dakota expire Dec. 31 regardless of when the 2019 license fee was paid. Lawyers should watch their mail for the 2020 billing in the coming weeks and promptly pay the fee by check or money order.

U.S.: Man whose conviction was overturned by Supreme Court after 6 trials is granted bail

NPR News: "Mississippi man Curtis Flowers was tried for the same crime six times: the murder of four people at a furniture store in 1996. He was convicted four times — but each was overturned. Two others ended in mistrials."

Job Announcement - Term Law Clerk

A job announcement for a Term Law Clerk to U.S. District Court Judge Nominee Daniel M. Traynor in Bismarck has been posted.

U.S. Supreme Court accepts new Oklahoma case about Indian reservations

The Oklahoman: "The U.S. Supreme Court, which failed this year to decide a case that could have a major impact in eastern Oklahoma, has chosen a different path to determine whether tribal reservations in the state were officially terminated."

U.S.: Supreme Court refuses to consider cities' efforts to prosecute the homeless for sleeping outside

USA Today: "The Supreme Court refused Monday to consider whether state and local governments can make it a crime for homeless people to sleep outside."

Legal assistants bring Christmas cheer to Drug Court

Members of the Western Dakota Association of Legal Assistants visited South Central Drug Court on Dec. 13 to bring Christmas cheer to the participants.

No delay for Minnesota probation reform hearing

MPR News: "The Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission will proceed with a public hearing next week on a proposed five-year probation cap, despite significant concern among members about the plan."

New opinions: Dec. 12

The Supreme Court has issued 20 new opinions.

Clerk of N.D. Supreme Court says goodbye after 31 years

KX Net: "There’s not a lot of turnover in the offices of North Dakota’s highest court. Only four people have served as Clerk of the Supreme Court since North Dakota became a state in 1889."

Notice of Comment/Hearing

Vacancy in Judgeship No. 5, East Central Judicial District