Highest Court
The highest court in North Dakota is the Supreme Court of North Dakota. The Supreme Court consists of 5 justices. It has jurisdiction over (1) Final appellate jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters from District Courts.
General Courts
District Court
The District Court consists
of 42 judges. It has jurisdiction over (1) All civil actions. (2)
Felonies and misdemeanors. (3) Exclusive juvenile and domestic
relations jurisdiction. (4) Mental commitment hearings. (5)
Probate and guardianship. (6) Small claims. (7) Appeals de
novo.
No jury trials are overseen by this court.
Limited Courts
Municipal Court
The Municipal Court consist of 75
judges. It has jurisdiction over (1) City ordinance violations.
No jury trials are overseen by this
court.
Additional Information
Sittings of courts public
All court sittings may be public
and open to the public, except those of a scandalous or obscene matter
in which the presiding judge or justice may exclude all people not of the
parties or witnesses.
(North Dakota Century Code 27-01-02)
Rules relating to the unauthorized
practice of the law
The Supreme Court of North Dakota
may rule on the restraining of persons unlawfully engaging in the practice
of law in North Dakota. (North Dakota Century Code 27-02-07).
Calendar of the supreme court
Pending cases in the supreme court,
on appeal or otherwise, are to be placed on the supreme court calendar
to be subject to call for argument and for final disposition in such manner
and at such times as the supreme court, by rule or order. (North Dakota
Century Code 27-02-18)
Reporter's duties as to state
law library
The Supreme Court Reporter shall
maintain the state law library under the supervision and control of the
supreme court. (North Dakota Century Code 27-04-06)
Legislative intent
North Dakota's Legislative Assembly
deems that all jurors be selected from a fair cross section of the population
of the area served by the court and that may all qualified citizens be
considered for jury service. (North Dakota Century Code 27-09.1-01)
Individual acceptance
An individual Indian may subject
himself and this property to state jurisdiction by executing a statement
consenting to and declaring himself and his property subject to state civil
jurisdiction. The statement must be filed in the office of the county
auditor and becomes effective on the date of execution. (North Dakota Century
Code 27-19-05)
Creation of division of juvenile
services - Director.
A division of juvenileservices is
hereby created and established with the powers and duties prescribed by
this chapter. The division of juvenile services must be created within
the department of corrections and rehabilitation, and its chief administrative
officer must be appointed by the director of the department of corrections
and rehabilitation and must be known as the director of the division of
juvenile services. On July 27, 1989, each child committed to the custody
of the state youth authority will, by operation of law, be committed to
the custody of the division of juvenile services subject to the order committing
the child. (North Dakota Century Code 27-21-01)
