Southeast Judicial District

Gary Ruhl

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 15:08:38 GMT

Gary Ruhl

Gackle

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 21:35:29 GMT

Gackle

James T. Shockman

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 20:52:42 GMT

Judge Shockman was appointed as District Court Judge by Governor Doug Burgum in 2024 for the Southeast Judicial District, Judgeship #1, located in Jamestown, ND.

Born in 1986; Judge Shockman was raised in Berlin, N.D., where he is still active on his family's farm. He attended LaMoure High School, graduating in 2004. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management from St. John's University in Collegeville, MN, and his Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, MN in 2011. He was admitted to the Arizona State Bar in 2011, and the N.D. State Bar on April 30, 2013.

Judge Shockman served as LaMoure State's Attorney from January 2019 to 2023. Judge Shockman also had a solo private legal practice from 2015 until his judgeship in 2024. Judge Shockman also worked as an attorney for Murnane Brandt in Bismarck, N.D. and practiced law in the area of securities litigation in Phoenix, AZ.

Nicholas D. Thornton

Tue, 03 Jan 2023 14:12:21 GMT

Judge Thornton was elected as District Court Judge in 2022 for the Southeast Judicial District judgeship #2 located in Valley City, ND.

Born in 1980; Judge Thornton is a native of Jamestown. He graduated from Jamestown High School in 1998 and attended Minnesota State University in Moorhead, MN receiving his Bachelor of Administration in Criminal Justice in 2003. He graduated from the University of North Dakota School of Law and received his Juris Doctor in 2006. Judge Thornton was admitted to the N.D. Bar on September 25, 2006.

Judge Thornton served as a law clerk for Justice Carol Ronning Kapsner at the North Dakota Supreme Court from 2006-2007. He was in private legal practice at the Serkland Law Firm from 2007-2008; Assistant Public Defender at the Fargo Public Defender’s Office 2008-2013; and in private legal practice at the Fremstad Law Firm, 2013-2022.

Wahpeton

Thu, 11 Oct 2018 14:10:58 GMT

Krassin, Don, Judge 1900 4th Street North Wahpeton, ND 58075	Phone: 701-642-4747 Email

Klug CasSandra, Clerk 1900 4th Street North Wahpeton, ND 58075	Phone: 701-591-2112 Fax: 701-591-2112 Email

Tower City

Thu, 11 Oct 2018 14:10:27 GMT

Nelson, Charlene, Judge P.O. Box 55	701-347-4861 Fax: 701-749-2344 nelson.familynd@gmail.com

Richman, Jenni, Clerk PO Box 55 Tower City 58071	701-749-2343 Fax: 701-749-2344 Email

Lidgerwood

Thu, 11 Oct 2018 13:30:21 GMT

Kill, Ron, Judge

Grenz, Cheryl, Clerk PO Box 290 Lidgerwood 58053	701-538-4135 Fax: 701-538-4660 Email

Jamestown

Thu, 11 Oct 2018 13:28:43 GMT

Kropp, Lawrence 510 3rd Ave SE	701251-2143 Email

Leik, Carla, Clerk 510 3rd Ave. SE Jamestown 58401	701-251-2143 Email

Harvey

Thu, 11 Oct 2018 13:05:09 GMT

Jenner, Brandt, Judge

Heisler, Cherie, Clerk 120 W 8th Street Harvey 58341	701-324-2000 Fax: 701-324-2674

Hankinson

Thu, 11 Oct 2018 13:04:58 GMT

Hernandez, Sam, Judge
P.O. Box 478

701-640-0847
Fax: 701-242-0039

hernandez@casscountynd.gov

Troy J. LeFevre

Tue, 11 Sep 2018 21:13:37 GMT

Judge LeFevre was elected as District Court Judge in 2016 for the Southeast Judicial District #7 located in Jamestown, ND.

Born in 1974; Judge LeFevre is a native of Jamestown, ND graduating from Jamestown High School in 1992. He received his Bachelor's of Adminisration in Political Science from the University of North Dakota in 1996, and received his Juris Doctor from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 2002. He was admitted to the N.D. Bar on October 4, 2002.

Judge LeFevre worked in private legal practice from 2002-2004 and worked as a Law Clerk for the Southeast Judicial District from 2004-2006. He was the Chief Assistant State's Attorney for Stutsman County from 2006 until his judgeship in 2016.

Mark T. Blumer

Tue, 11 Sep 2018 21:10:49 GMT

Judge Blumer grew up in Ellendale, ND. He is a graduate from North Sargent High School in Gwinner, ND. He entered the U.S. Navy from 1976-1980. Judge Blumer earned his Bachelor of Administration in History from the University of Colorado and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of North Dakota School of Law. He began private practice from 1989-2016 when he was elected district court judge in 2016. He did not seek re-election.

Bradley A. Cruff

Tue, 11 Sep 2018 16:17:26 GMT

Judge Cruff was elected as District Court Judge in 2012 for the Southeast Judicial District judgeship #3 located in Wahpeton, ND.

Born in 1964; Judge Cruff is a native of Valley City, ND. Judge Cruff was raised on the family farm and ranch at rural Rogers, North Dakota. He attended Barnes County North High School graduating in 1982. He graduated from Valley City State College in 1986; and received his Juris Doctor from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 1994. He was admitted to the N.D. Bar on October 5, 1994.

After graduation, Judge Cruff became an associate at the Carol S. Nelson law firm of Valley City. He was elected and served on as the Valley City Municipal Judge from 1996-1998 at which time the Nelson and Lenaburg, Fitzner, Hooper firms merged and he served in the capacity of Assistant City Attorney for Valley City. He was elected the Barnes County Commissioner in 1998 and served until 2002.

In 2000 Judge Cruff became a partner in the firm of Lenaburg, Fitzner, Nelson, Hooper & Cruff. In 2005, he served briefly as City Attorney for Valley City before being appointed as the Barnes County State’s Attorney where he practiced as a prosecutor until he was elected to the bench.

Jay A. Schmitz

Tue, 11 Sep 2018 16:15:50 GMT

Judge Schmitz was elected in 2010 as District Court Judge for the Southeast Judicial District #6, located in Valley City, N.D. He was re-elected in 2010 and 2016.

Born in 1962 in Pierre, S.D.; Judge Schmitz was raised on a cattle ranch near Verona, N.D. He graduated from Oakes High School in 1980. He received his Bachelors of Administration in Political Science from Moorhead State University in 1985. He received his Juris Doctor from Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles, CA in 1989; and was admitted to the N.D. State Bar on May 1, 2000.

After graduation, Judge Schmitz worked in private legal practice in Los Angeles, CA from 1989-1995. After moving back to North Dakota, he worked in private legal practice in Oakes, N.D. from 2000-2002. He served as the Stutsman County Chief Assistant State's Attorney in Jamestown, N.D. from 2003-2010.

James D. Hovey

Tue, 11 Sep 2018 16:12:39 GMT

Judge Hovey was appointed as District Court Judge by Governor John Hoeven in 2010 for the Southeast Judicial District judgeship #4 located in New Rockford, ND. He was elected in 2014, and re-elected in 2016.

Born in 1964; Judge Hovey received his Bachelor of Administration degree in Russian and Soviet Studies from the University of North Dakota in 1987. He graduated from the University of Arizona with a Masters in Administration in Russian Language and Literature in 1991. He received his Juris Doctor with distinction from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 1996, and was admitted to the N.D. Bar on September 27, 1996.

Judge Hovey served as an instructor for the University of North Dakota Center for Legal studies in 2002, taught basic Russian as a graduate student and completed 260 hours of language instruction at Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia. He was the city attorney in Larimore, N.D. from 2001 until his judgeship in 2010.

Daniel D. Narum

Mon, 10 Sep 2018 21:30:01 GMT

Judge Narum was appointed as District Court Judge by Governor John Hoeven in 2006 for the Southeast Judicial District #5 located in Ellendale, ND. He was elected in 2008, and re-elected in 2010 and 2016.

Born in 1969; Judge Narum served in the United State Navy from 1987 - 1990. He received his Bachelor's of Science degree in Political Science from North Dakota State University in 1996. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 1999, and was admitted to the N.D. Bar on September 24, 1999. Judge Narum worked in private legal practice from 1999 until his judgeship in 2006, and was the LaMoure County State's Attorney from 2001-2006.

Southeast

Fri, 07 Sep 2018 14:45:54 GMT

Created in 1979 to include Barnes, Dickey, Eddy, Foster, LaMoure, Ransom, Richland, Sargent and Stutsman counties. In 1993, Wells County was transferred to this district from the South Central Judicial District. In 2000, Griggs County was transferred to this district from the Northeast Central Judicial District. In 2014, Kidder, Logan and McIntosh counties were transferred to this district from the South Central Judicial District. The Southeast Judicial District is part of Unit 2 which also includes the East Central District.

District Administration:

Chris Iverson

Hearing Livestreams:

- Southeast Judicial District

_{*Note - Not all hearings will be livestreamed. Recording of the hearing is not allowed.}

Pandemic Response:

Case Flow Management Plan

Wells County

Tue, 08 May 2018 19:02:28 GMT

Mailing Address: 700 Railway St. N. #155, Fessenden, ND 58438

Courthouse Hours:

Winter hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (closed for lunch 12:00 pm-12:30 pm)
Summer Hours:
- 7:30 am-12 pm and 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm Monday-Thursday
- 7:30 am-1:00 pm Friday

Phone Number: 701-547-3122

Email Address: 52clerk@ndcourts.gov

Courthouse Instructions: Entrance is on the east side of the courthouse. The courtroom is located on the third floor. There is a handicapped accessible elevator. Parking is available on the east and south sides of courthouse.

Jury Instructions: Jurors are to report to the second floor (clerk’s office) for check- in.

Courtroom Rules: While attending court, no electronics devices (cell phone locker available), purses or backpacks or food are allowed. Please remove hats when in the courtroom.

Stutsman County

Tue, 08 May 2018 18:38:46 GMT

Mailing Address: 511 2^nd Ave SE; Jamestown ND 58401

Courthouse Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Phone Number: 701-253-6243 option 1

Email Address: 47clerk@ndcourts.gov

Courthouse Instructions: The courtrooms are located on the second floor of the Courthouse. There is a handicapped accessible elevator. Parking is available in front of the courthouse.

Jury Instructions: Please read your jury summons and call into the jury line 701-253-6243 and select option 2, as instructed in your letter. This is a recording that will update you on the status of the Jury Trial.

Courtroom Rules: While attending court, all electronic devices including cell phones must be turned off. No purses or backpacks. No Food. No hats or caps.

Sargent County

Tue, 08 May 2018 16:55:02 GMT

Clerk (ONLY): 355 Main Street South, Suite 2, Forman, ND 58032

Sheriff: 355 Main Street South Suite 6, Forman, ND 58032

State’s Attorney: 355 Main Street South, Forman, ND 58032

Mailing Address: 355 Main Street South, Suite 2, Forman, ND 58032

Regular Courthouse Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Closed from 12:00 p.m. -12:30 p.m.

Phone: 701-724-6241 ex t 3

Email: 41clerk@ndcourts.gov

Courthouse Instructions: Parking is available on the street in front of the courthouse on the east side. Parking is also available on the west side of the courthouse in the back parking lot. Handicap accessible and elevator are also located on the west side of the courthouse. The Clerk of Court’s office is located on the main level on the south end of the hall. The courtroom is located on the top floor, south end of the building. Please check into the Clerk of Court’s office prior to court. Firearms and other weapons are prohibited in the courthouse.

Sargent County Website: www.sargentnd.com

Jury Instructions: Any request to be excused must be in writing and received in five days from the date of the summons. PLEASE DO NOT CALL REQUESTING TO BE EXCUSED. If you are 72 or older and requesting to be excused, please indicate that by circling YES on the questionnaire. If you are under 18, you must still complete the questionnaire and return it. The completed questionnaire MUST be sent in with the written excusal.

You may log on to our website at www.ndcourts.gov/jury to fulfill your obligations. Personal information can be modified by accessing the "Profile" information

To be sure the trial is proceeding as scheduled, you MUST call 701-724-6241 extension 3 one working day prior to the trial date listed above (9 AM to 4:00 PM). Handicap accessibility/elevator is on west side of the courthouse.

JUROR QUESTIONNAIRE MUST BE RETURNED IN 5 DAYS.

Courtroom Rules: While attending court, all electronic devices including cell phones must be turned off. No purses or backpacks. No Food. No hats or caps.