Back to North Dakota
North Dakota2025Active

HB1032

Changes to North Dakota Court Rules and Judge Requirements

Last scannedAug 25, 2026, 3:24 AM

In one sentence

This law updates rules for district court jurisdiction, creates new requirements for municipal courts, changes laws about legal defense for people who cannot afford it, and removes old sections of the state code regarding ordinance violations and municipal judges.

What it does

  • Creates a new subsection in section 27-05-06 of the North Dakota Century Code relating to district court jurisdiction.
  • Enacts chapter 40-18.1 of the North Dakota Century Code regarding municipal court requirements, jurisdiction, procedures, and processes.
  • Amends and reenacts subsection 1 of section 29-07-01.1 of the North Dakota Century Code relating to indigent defense.
  • Repeals sections 40-11-10 through 40-11-13 and chapter 40-18 of the North Dakota Century Code, which relate to ordinance violations and municipal judges.

Who it affects

  • District courts in North Dakota
  • Municipal (city) courts and their procedures
  • People who need legal defense but cannot afford it

Limits and unknowns

  • The official text provided does not state the specific date this law becomes effective.
  • The exact details of the new procedures for municipal courts are not described in the summary, only that they will be created under chapter 40-18.1.

Plain language

Terms to know

Jurisdiction
The authority of a court to hear cases.
Indigent defense
Legal representation for people who cannot afford it, as referenced in the bill title.
Repeal
To officially remove a law or section of code so it is no longer active.

Official record

Sources

Source attached

Official summary

HB 1032