NCJ Number
80413
Date Published
1980
Length
45 pages
Annotation
This report is intended to serve as a reference source for statistical information on the operation of the North Dakota judicial system during 1980.
Abstract
It discusses the role the judiciary plays in the law school; presents a profile of the State's judicial system covering the structure of the court system, administrative authority, selection and removal of judges, and caseload information; and highlights the actions of the State supreme court. The report also discusses the duties of the State court administrator, the district courts, and each of the State's judicial districts. Information on the jurisdiction of and cases handled by the county courts and the municipal courts is also presented. The report highlights the activities of the judicial planning committee, the joint procedure committee, the judicial qualifications commission, the disciplinary board of the supreme court, and the judicial council. The report notes that, in 1976, the organization and structure of the State's judicial system was revamped and the administrative responsibilities of the supreme court were clarified. The supreme court caseload has been increasing dramatically; the new filings in 1980 reflect an overall increase of 41 percent over 1979 filings. The number of cases filed in the district court increased by nearly 10 percent over the figure in 1979; nearly 83 percent of all cases filed in the district courts were civil cases, most involving domestic relations. Similarly, the caseload of the county courts increased during the year, most of the increase involving noncriminal traffic cases. Tabular data, graphs, pie charts, organizational charts, and photographs are included.