Case Filings/ Dispositions | 2003 (F) (D) | 2004 (F) (D) | Civil Small Claims Admin. Traffic Criminal Juvenile | 5,323 1,157 18,679 5,486 388 | 6,932 1,161 18,710 7,334 603 | 5,478 1,137 18,571 5,339 324 | 7,601 1,194 19,012 7,445 564 |
Activities and Initiatives
Under the leadership of Judge Gail Hagerty, the South Central Judicial District has actively engaged in a year of renewed growth and commitment to service.
The Adult Drug Court celebrated a milestone anniversary as it reached its fifth year of operation during 2004. Along with Governor Hoeven, several graduates of the program were on hand to mark the occasion. The drug court continues its mission of holding offenders accountable for their choices and in educating them in making substantive changes in their lives in order to live drug-free, productive and healthy lives. The juvenile drug court entered its second year of operation and continues to reach out to troubled youth.
Drug courts differ from traditional court functions by actively engaging offenders in the process of their rehabilitation. Offenders are required to make frequent, often weekly, appearances at the court to report directly to the judge on the status of their recovery and to discuss any obstacles, challenges, or triumphs they are encountering. Participants in drug court may be referred to community agencies for assistance with financial planning, parenting skills, job skills, and health-related issues. At a recent hearing, one participant remarked, "For the first time in my life, I'm paying my bills on time." Another, in thanking the court for the program, said, "I never knew life could be this good."
The juvenile court continues to follow the restorative justice philosophy of using diversion and sentencing sanctions that impress upon young people how unlawful activity effects the lives of others and to teach them how to make better choices in the future. The juvenile court has made a concerted effort to find meaningful community service opportunities for youth that provide them with a sense of pride and satisfaction in the projects they participate in. The court is also working with other agencies to identify children with mental health issues and create alternative sanctions and treatment for them.
The district court continues to explore ways to use technology to increase access to the courts. Interactive video has become a standard format for hearings and is being increasingly used to decrease the number of days litigants must wait before appearing before a judge. The use of interactive video reduces travel costs for county employees and private citizens who would otherwise have to drive to Bismarck for hearings.
The South Central Judicial District continues its real-time court reporting pilot project. Real-time court reporting allows the reporter to create transcripts faster and easier than traditional court stenography or tape recording can. Real-time reporting allows the judge to view the transcript in a rough draft as it is being taken and is especially useful for the judge when he or she is writing their decision. In addition to the real-time reporting project, Morton and Burleigh Counties are slated to upgrade from analog tape recording to digital recording during the upcoming biennium.
In August, the South Central Judicial District and the Southwest Judicial District were placed under the administrative organization of Judicial Administrative Unit 3. Under the new structure, the district judicial assignments and jurisdictions remain intact, however, the administration of the non-judicial functions of the court were consolidated under a single trial court administrator. The trial court administrator is charged with improving the efficiency and effectiveness of court processes and procedures. To that end, the court has undertaken the study of financial management, jury management, indigent defense contract management, caseflow management, clerk of court practices, and management of the juvenile courts. It is the goal of these studies to identify and eliminate conflicting, duplicative, inefficient, or costly practices while providing for better access to the courts.
Case Filings/ Dispositions | 2003 (F) (D) | 2004 (F) (D) | Civil Small Claims Admin Traffic Criminal Juvenile | 1,437 271 6,882 2,475 120 | 2,169 291 6,630 2,912 213 | 1,438 313 6,282 2,351 106 | 2,099 331 6,303 2,868 196 |
District Court
Case filings are shown in the chart above. The Southwest Judicial District continues to use a master and individual calendar assignment plan.
All the district judges are assigned throughout the district to assure an equitable distribution of the caseload and to promote a fair, expeditious disposition of all cases in compliance with the docket current standards. During 2004, the district was in compliance with the docket currency standards.
Juvenile Court
The Southwest District Juvenile Court uses the philosophy of balanced and restorative justice. We continue to use dispositions that hold juveniles accountable for their actions. The use of drug testing , tracking and victim accountability conferencing are effective in both informal and formal cases. We target high risk juveniles for intensive supervision and treatment. We refer to numerous programs to increase competency development in youth. Our court officers are serious advocates for education and assist in helping clients be successful, whether it be at a traditional school setting or alternative school program. Our relationship with schools and treatment oriented agencies is strong.
The number of seriously emotionally ill and chemically dependent individuals entering the system continues to increase. There has been an increase in foster care placements for children whose parents are chemically addicted, particularly concerning methamphetamine use.
We are taking steps to make the merger with the South Central District effective. We have had several joint staff meetings and anticipate additional joint meetings until the process is completed.