Administrative Order 25 — Coronavirus Pandemic
March 16, 2020
[¶1] In response to the coronavirus, COVID-19, pandemic, and as authorized by law, the Justices of the North Dakota Supreme Court declare a state of emergency statewide for the Judicial Branch.
[¶2] Due to the pandemic, and consistent with guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, the President of the United States declared a national emergency March 13, 2020. The Governor of the State of North Dakota declared a state of emergency March 13, 2020. The Governor ordered public schools closed statewide March 16, 2020 through March 20, 2020.
[¶3] The pandemic presents challenges to the administration of the North Dakota Judicial Branch statewide. An emergency exists that substantially endangers and infringes upon the normal functioning of the judicial system in North Dakota. The pandemic poses a threat to individuals who come into contact with a court or judicial facility and personnel. This order is entered in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 and minimize the health risks for those who visit or work in courts.
[¶4] Section 27-02-27, N.D.C.C., grants the Supreme Court authority to declare a state of judicial emergency. Article VI, Section 3, of the North Dakota Constitution gives the Supreme Court authority to promulgate rules and issue orders of practice and procedure for the administration of justice in all civil and criminal actions, and for all proceedings in the courts of this state. Rule 57 of the North Dakota Administrative Rules governs a Supreme Court declaration of a judicial emergency.
[¶5] After consideration, it is hereby ORDERED:
1. Civil jury trials not already in progress are suspended through April 24, 2020.
2. Criminal jury trials not already in progress are suspended through April 24, 2020. Through April 24, 2020, presiding judges are given discretion to authorize criminal jury trials in unusual circumstances after consultation with the Chief Justice.
3. Civil and criminal bench trials and hearings are not suspended. However, presiding judges are given discretion until April 24, 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 April 24, 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. When by procedural statute or rule, or by notice given under a procedural statute or rule, or by order of a district court, an act is required or allowed to be done at or within a specified time, the Supreme Court orders a stay of the deadlines occurring between March 16, 2020 and April 24, 2020.
7. 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.
8. Any matter in which a party is detained beyond a deadline or held pending extradition must be reviewed within 14 days after April 24, 2020.
9. Multi-person, in-person, compelled group meetings or hearings of specialty courts are suspended from March 16, 2020 through April 24, 2020. Specialty courts retain authority to use electronic communication, small meetings or individual hearings with participants.
10. The days covered by a judicial emergency order are considered a legal holiday for time computation under North Dakota's court rules.
[¶6] IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this order does not suspend, toll, extend, or otherwise grant relief from deadlines, time schedules, or filing requirements required by the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of North Dakota.
[¶7] IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this order does not stay or extend any statute of limitation or repose for commencing an action in a civil cases.
[¶8] IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that deadlines to file a notice of appeal to the district court in administrative matters and to the Supreme Court are not extended.
[¶9] This order is adopted on an emergency basis, effective immediately.
[¶9] The Supreme Court of the State of North Dakota convened this 16th day of March, 2020, with the Honorable Jon J. Jensen, Chief Justice, and the Honorable Gerald W. VandeWalle, the Honorable Daniel J. Crothers, the Honorable Lisa Fair McEvers, and the Honorable Jerod E. Tufte, Justices, directing the Clerk of the Supreme Court to enter the above order.
Petra H. Mandigo Hulm
Clerk
North Dakota Supreme Court