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North Dakota Supreme Court

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North Dakota Supreme Court
Seal
Map
Interactive map of North Dakota Supreme Court
Established1889
JurisdictionNorth Dakota
LocationBismarck, North Dakota
Composition methodNon-partisan election
Authorised byConstitution of North Dakota
Appeals toSupreme Court of the United States
Judge term length10 years
Number of positions5
WebsiteOfficial website
Chief Justice
CurrentlyLisa K. Fair McEvers
Since2026
Lead position ends2028
Jurist term ends2028

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

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Current composition

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Name Born Start Chief term Term ends Appointer Law school
Lisa McEvers, Chief Justice 1962 (age 6364) January 1, 2014 2026–present 2028 Jack Dalrymple (R) UND
Jerod Tufte April 9, 1975 (age 51) January 1, 2017 2026 N/a[a] ASU
Jon Jensen 1965 (age 6061) August 15, 2017 2020–2026 2030 Doug Burgum (R) UND
Douglas Bahr 1960 or 1961 (age 65–66) February 1, 2023 2026 Doug Burgum (R) USD
Mark Friese 1969 (age 5657) March 9, 2026 2028 Kelly Armstrong (R) UND
  1. Took office after being elected in a nonpartisan election.

References

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  1. "North Dakota Constitution – ARTICLE VI JUDICIAL BRANCH" (PDF).
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