N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. & Ord. Order 25

As amended through March 18, 2024

Rule Order 25 - Coronavirus Pandemic

1. Civil jury trials not already in progress are suspended until July 1, 2020.

2. Criminal jury trials not already in progress are suspended until July 1, 2020.

3. Civil and criminal bench trials and hearings are not suspended. However, presiding judges are given discretion until July 1, 2020 to cancel bench trials or hearings.

4. For criminal trials, if a district court grants a continuance in a case where a speedy trial has been demanded, by this Order, the Supreme Court determines the period from March 16, 2020 to July 1, 2020 shall be deducted from the date by which trial must be commenced.

5. Guardianship reviews are suspended until June 1, 2020. Existing guardianships are extended until further order of the Supreme Court.

6. Continuances and extension requests related to COVID-19 should be presumptively granted. This subsection does not apply to mandatory hearings in juvenile holds, juvenile detention, mental health, protection orders, interim family law orders, shelter care, and initial appearances when defendant is detained, or any other hearing required by the district court or statute.

7. Any matter in which a party is detained beyond a deadline or held pending extradition must be reviewed within 14 days after July 1, 2020.

8. The prior suspension of multi-person, in-person. compelled group meetings or hearings of specialty courts is repealed. Specialty courts may resume convening in-person at the discretion of the presiding judge, subject to following the recommended guidelines for social distancing as provided bv the North Dakota Department of Health. Specialty courts retain authority to use electronic communication, small meetings or individual hearings with participants.

9. Unless otherwise ordered, for proceedings suspended under authority of this order the days covered bv the judicial emergency are considered legal holidays for time computation under North Dakota's court rules.

N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. & Ord. Order 25

Order 25 was adopted effective 3/16/2020; Order 25 was amended effective 3/17/2020; Order 25 was amended effective 5/20/2020; Order 25 was amended effective 6/9/2020.