ND Supreme Court Seeks Judgeships

North Dakota's chief justice says he will be asking the Legislature to approve new judgeships to help handle cases in the state's booming western oil-producing region.

 

 

 

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota's chief justice says he will be asking the Legislature to approve new judgeships to help handle cases in the state's booming western oil-producing region.

A report compiled by the nonprofit National Center for State Courts says three to six new judgeships are needed, including at least two in northwestern North Dakota in the center of the state's oil development.

Chief Justice Gerald VandeWalle says he hasn't decided how many judgeships to request but that he'll ask for an increase.

North Dakota has 44 district judges handling trials.

During the 1990s, the number of county and district judges was cut from 53 under a consolidation plan.

VandeWalle says some of those cut judgeships are now needed.

 

AP

   

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