North Dakota Supreme Court Explained

Court Name:North Dakota Supreme Court
Established:1889
Jurisdiction:North Dakota
Location:Bismarck, North Dakota
Type:Non-partisan election
Authority:Constitution of North Dakota
Appealsto:Supreme Court of the United States
Terms:10 years
Positions:5
Website:Official website
Chiefjudgetitle:Chief Justice
Chiefjudgename:Jon J. Jensen
Termstart:2020
Termend:2025
Termend2:2030

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

See main article: List of North Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justices and List of justices of the North Dakota Supreme Court.

Current composition

JusticeBornJoinedChief JusticeTerm endsAppointed byLaw school
, Chief Justice2020–present2030Doug Burgum (R)North Dakota
3 January 19572032John Hoeven (R)North Dakota
2028Jack Dalrymple (R)North Dakota
9 April 19752026Arizona State
[2] 2026Doug Burgum (R)South Dakota

Notes and References

  1. Web site: North Dakota Constitution – ARTICLE VI JUDICIAL BRANCH.
  2. Web site: Turley . Jeremy . Raising the Bahr: Burgum taps judge to join North Dakota Supreme Court . . January 9, 2023.