Summary
The North Dakota Supreme Court is the highest court of law in the state of North Dakota. The Court rules on questions of law in appeals from the state’s district courts.
Each of the five justices are elected on a no-party ballot for ten year terms, arranged such that one seat is contested every two years. The Chief Justice is elected from the Justices every five years (or upon vacancy) by vote of the Supreme Court justices and the District Court judges.
The Supreme Court is empowered to constitute a Court of Appeals consisting of a three-member panel chosen from active and retired District Court judges, retired Supreme Court justices, and lawyers. The Court of Appeals only hears cases specifically assigned to it by the Supreme Court, which is done only infrequently.
OnAir Post: ND Judicial Branch
Wikipedia
The North Dakota Supreme Court is the highest court of law in the state of North Dakota. The Court rules on questions of law in appeals from the state's district courts.
Each of the five justices is elected on a no-party ballot for a ten-year term, arranged so that one seat is contested every two years. The Chief Justice is elected from the Justices every five years (or upon vacancy) by vote of the Supreme Court justices and the District Court judges.
The Supreme Court is empowered to constitute a Court of Appeals consisting of a three-member panel chosen from active and retired District Court judges, retired Supreme Court justices, and lawyers. The Court of Appeals only hears cases specifically assigned to it by the Supreme Court, which is done only infrequently.
Under Article 6, Section 4 of the North Dakota Constitution, the North Dakota Supreme Court "shall not declare a legislative enactment unconstitutional unless at least four of the members of the court so decide."[1] North Dakota and Nebraska are the only two states that require a supermajority of state Supreme Court justices to rule a legislative provision unconstitutional.
Justices
Current composition
| Name | Born | Start | Chief term | Term ends | Appointer | Law school |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jon J. Jensen, Chief Justice | 1965 (age 60–61) | August 15, 2017 | 2020–present | 2030 | Doug Burgum (R) | UND |
| Lisa K. Fair McEvers | 1962 (age 63–64) | January 1, 2014 | – | 2028 | Jack Dalrymple (R) | UND |
| Jerod E. Tufte | April 9, 1975 | January 1, 2017 | – | 2026 | N/a[a] | ASU |
| Douglas Bahr | 1960 or 1961 (age 65–66) | February 1, 2023 | – | 2026 | Doug Burgum (R) | USD |
| Mark Friese | 1969 (age 56–57) | March 9, 2026 | – | 2028 | Kelly Armstrong (R) | UND |
- ^ Took office after being elected in a nonpartisan election.
References
External links
