NCJ Number
73046
Date Published
Unknown
Length
148 pages
Annotation
This technical assistance report, prepared by the National Center for State Courts, analyzes the administrative staffing requirements necessary to support implementation of court system unification in North Dakota.
Abstract
The report focuses on three major areas. It begins with a comparative description of the judicial administrative system of the State as it currently exists and as it is likely to exist under pending drafts of enabling legislation. The next section focuses on administrative staffing considerations such as administrative organization, administrative authority, and delegation of authority. The definition of administrative functions, administrative positions, and salary guidelines are also analyzed. The third section presents recommendations for administrative stafing based upon the previous analysis. The North Dakota judiciary is currently composed of the State supreme court, the district court, and courts of limited jurisdiction, including county courts, county courts with increased jurisdiction, county justice courts, and municipal courts. The State is divided geographically into six judicial districts with a total of 19 district judges serving the judicial districts. Under the proposed system, the supreme court and district courts are constitutionally established under judicial article; municipal courts are to be the only statutory courts of limited jurisdiction. The study team recommends the establishment of the following seven administrative specialty positions: financial officer/facilities management specialist, personnel officer, information systems/statistics specialist, management analyst, director of research and planning, staff counseling, and judicial education officer. It is also recommended that the position of district court administrator be established in each judicial district. Footnotes are included. Extensive appendixes present a map, organizational charts, position descriptions, a list of 17 references, and related materials.