Report of the East Central Judicial District
The Honorable Norman J. Backes, Presiding Judge
District Court Judges: Norman J. Backes, Presiding Judge; Georgia Dawson; John C. Irby; Lawrence A. Leclerc; Michael O. McGuire; Frank L. Racek; Cynthia A. Rothe-Seeger; Wade L. Webb
District Court Referees: John A. Dietz and Janice Benson Johnson.
Number of Counties in District: 3
District Court Chambers: Fargo, Hillsboro
East Central Judicial District Caseload for Calendar Years 2002 and 2003
Case Filings/ |
| 2003 (F) (D) | ||
Civil | 6,348 | 6,413 | 5,471 | 7,276 |
District Court
The East Central Judicial District continues to operate with eight Judges and two Judicial Referees. The Judges are divided into criminal and civil divisions with four Judges assigned to each. The Judicial Referees hear most juvenile cases, certain categories of domestic relations cases such as child support enforcement, paternity and small claims court cases. In addition to Cass County, a Judge travels to Traill County one day per week and Steel County one day per month to handle the business of the Court in those counties.
Judge Ralph R. Erickson resigned his position from the state bench to take the position of Federal District Judge for Eastern North Dakota. Governor Hoeven appointed Wade L. Webb to replace Judge Erickson. Judge Webb, who had been a prosecutor for the Cass County State's Attorney's Office for the past seven years, took the bench on May 23, 2003. The District also saw the retirement of Eloise Haaland, who had been the Administrative Assistant for the District for 13 years. Her experience and expertise will be missed.
The district completed its first full year using the unified court information system (UCIS). The change in computer systems began on November 11, 2002. While there continues to be some differences between the former computer system and UCIS, the clerk's office dedication and patience was instrumental in a relatively smooth transition.
The Cass County clerk's office also participated in a management review of its policies and procedures. A team consisting of employees of other clerk of court offices, a trial court administrator and the acting state court administrator spent two days observing and working with clerk of court employees. The team, recognizing that the county has the highest volume in the State, included several procedural and policy recommendations for the clerk's office and the administration office. Several of the recommendations were implemented before the end of the year; others are under active consideration.
The judges of the district also worked with a management consultant to define and improve the administrative structure of the district. The consultant report suggests that the district establish cleaner lines of authority and clearer definitions of responsibility for all staff. The judges of the district adopted many of the recommendations of the consultant, placing most administrative responsibility with the district trial court administrator.
The judges and referees continue to handle the state's busiest district in a truly efficient manner. Even while handling nearly 20% of the state's business, the judges remain current with their caseloads.
Juvenile Court
The East Central Judicial District juvenile court has seen an increase of 184 referrals received from law enforcement, schools, and other referral sources. The greatest number being in the status offense category which includes alcohol offenses.
The court continues to be committed to the restorative justice model. As a part of that model, no juvenile who enters the court systems should leave the system without a life-enhancing skill. All juveniles will be held accountable for their offense and juveniles who enter the system will make amends to the community through monetary restitution, community services, and facing victims of their crime through Offender Accountability Conferencing. Juvenile court officers collected a total of $47,679.00 in 2003. A total of 5,535 hours of community service were completed.
Twenty-six delinquent juveniles were placed in the custody of the Division of Juvenile Services from the East Central Judicial District juvenile court. Approximately 18 unruly juveniles were placed in the custody of Cass County social services. Two unruly juveniles were placed in the custody of Traill County social services. One hundred thirty-five children were placed in the custody of Cass County social services as a result of deprivation petitions.
The court is committed to keeping our juveniles in the custody of their parents and in the community unless placement outside the home is necessary for their protection or the protection of the community. The court attempts to be fiscally responsible by developing necessary services to keep the juveniles in their homes.
The juvenile court system continues to be well-respected by law enforcement and agency personnel.