North Dakota to ask legislature for more judgeships
July 30, 2012
North Dakota: Chief Justice Gerald VandeWalle is prepared to ask the legislature for new judgeships following a report by the National Center for the State Courts (NCSC). Judges are specifically needed in western North Dakota, which has experienced a population boom due to oil drilling. In the 1990s, judgeships were moved from these counties to cities in the state. During that decade, trial courts in the state were consolidated to state control, from county jurisdiction.[1]
As a result, some judges are forced to drive 50 miles to hear cases. When interviewed for an article with The Associated Press, Judge David W. Nelson lamented the status of the court system in under-served counties. He said,
| “ | In sheer numbers, we're coming in early, staying late, coming in weekends, and we don't have near the time to devote to the thought process that goes into these opinions.[1][2] | ” |
Chief Justice VandeWalle was not specific about the number of judges he intends to ask the legislature to fund. There are 44 judges serving the District Courts; the report by the NCSC recommended the creation of up to six new seats.[3]
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Williston Herald, "ND Supreme Court seeks judgeships," July 18, 2012 (dead link)
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Minot Daily News, "State's courts need help," July 20, 2012
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