In the Matter of Judicial Vacancy in District Judgeship No. 2 With Chambers in Bismarck

670 N.W.2d 646 (2003) 2003 ND 163

In the Matter of the JUDICIAL VACANCY IN DISTRICT JUDGESHIP NO. 2 WITH CHAMBERS IN BISMARCK, North Dakota, South Central Judicial District.

No. 20030290.

Supreme Court of North Dakota.

October 29, 2003.

ORDER

[¶ 1] On October 7, 2003, Governor John Hoeven officially notified the Supreme Court that the Honorable Benny A. Graff, Judge of the District Court, with chambers in Bismarck, South Central Judicial District, is resigning his position effective January 31, 2004. Judge Graff's impending resignation will create a vacancy under Section 27-05-02.1, N.D.C.C.

[¶ 2] Under Section 27-05-02.1, N.D.C.C., this Court is required to review vacancies that occur and determine, within 90 days of receiving notice of a vacancy, whether the office is necessary for effective judicial administration. This Court may, consistent with that determination, order the vacancy be filled or order the vacant office transferred to a judicial district in which an additional judge is necessary, to be filled in that district.

[¶ 3] Under N.D. Sup.Ct. Admin. R. 7.2, notice of a written consultation with the attorneys and judges of the South Central Judicial District was posted October 8, 2003, on the website of the Supreme Court. Notice was also electronically provided to all presiding judges of the state. Written comments on the vacancy were permitted through October 27, 2003. For purposes of the consultation provided for under Section 27-05-02.1, N.D.C.C., this procedure is sufficient for determining the disposition of the vacancy.

[¶ 4] A Report containing population and caseload trends, and other criteria identified in N.D. Sup.Ct. Admin. R. 7.2, Section 4, was filed October 15, 2003, by the District Court Administrator for the South Central Judicial District.

[¶ 5] Under the criteria of Section of N.D. Sup.Ct. Admin. R. 7.2, the Court has considered all submissions received by the Court and its own administrative records on state-wide weighted caseload data.

[¶ 6] This Court determines that the office is necessary for effective judicial administration in its present location.

[¶ 7] IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, that Judgeship No. 2 at Bismarck in the South Central Judicial District be filled in the manner provided in N.D.C.C. Chapter 27-25.

[¶ 8] GERALD W. VANDE WALLE, C.J., and DALE V. SANDSTROM, WILLIAM A. NEUMANN, MARY MUEHLEN MARING, and CAROL RONNING KAPSNER, JJ., concur.