Case Name: In the MATTER OF the VACANCY IN JUDGESHIP NO. 4, with Chambers in Bismarck, South Central Judicial District
Court: North Dakota Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: North Dakota
Decision Date: 2018-02-14
Citations: 907 N.W.2d 40
Docket Number: No. 20180025
Parties: In the MATTER OF the VACANCY IN JUDGESHIP NO. 4, with Chambers in Bismarck, South Central Judicial District
Judges: [¶8] Daniel J. Crothers
Reporter: North Western Reporter 2d
Volume: 907
Pages: 40–40

Head Matter:
2018 ND 37
In the MATTER OF the VACANCY IN JUDGESHIP NO. 4, with Chambers in Bismarck, South Central Judicial District
No. 20180025
Supreme Court of North Dakota.
Filed 2/14/2018

Opinion:
Per curiam.
[¶1] On January 18, 2018, the Honorable Bruce B. Haskell, Judge of the District Court, South Central Judicial District, informed this Court of his intention not to seek reelection. Judge Haskell is chambered in Bismarck and his term expires December 31, 2018. Under N.D.C.C. § 27-05-02.1(2) a vacancy in the office of district judge occurs if a judge declares the intention not to seek reelection or if a judge fails to timely file a petition for candidacy with the secretary of state under N.D.C.C. § 16.1-11-06.
[¶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 filled, order the vacant office transferred to another judicial district in which an additional judge is necessary, or abolish the vacant judicial office, with or without a transfer.
[¶3] Under N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 7.2, notice of a written consultation with attorneys and judges and other interested persons in the South Central Judicial District was posted January 19, 2018, 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 February 5, 2018. This procedure is sufficient for purposes of the consultation required under Section 27-05-02.1, N.D.C.C.
[¶4] A Report containing population and caseload trends, and other criteria identified in N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. B. 7.2, Section 4 was filed January 5, 2018, by the South Central Judicial District. The State Court Administrator's office also provided the weighted caseload study which shows, based on an average of 2016 and 2017 case filings, the South Central Judicial District has a shortage of 3.06 judicial officers.
[¶5] Under the criteria of Section 4 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] Based on the record before us, this Court determines this office is necessary for effective judicial administration in its present location.
[¶7] IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, that Judgeship No. 4, with chambers in Bismarck, in the South Central Judicial District be filled by election.
[¶8] Daniel J. Crothers
Jerod E. Tufte
Jon J. Jensen
Gerald W. VandeWalle, C.J.
Lisa Fair McEvers