North Dakota


		About North Dakota Indigent Defense Structure: North Dakota recently enacted a law establishing a statewide commission on legal counsel for indigents and providing for the hiring of a director of indigent defense services. The commission is charged with developing and monitoring the delivery process for state-funded defense services for indigents accused of crimes. Funding: Indigent defense in North Dakota is state funded. In the past, the funding has been grossly insufficient. Read More

"Gibbs Lawyers Pushing for Third Trial,"--The Associated Press, December 4, 2007

"Public Defenders Pilot Working"-- KFYR-TV, June 21, 2007

"North Dakota Works to Give Defendants Fair Trials"-- KXMB-TV (ND), Dec. 12, 2006

"North Dakota Public Defender Agency Seeks Money for Offices in Bismarck, Fargo"--Bismarck Tribune, Sept. 19, 2006

"ND Indigent Defense Changes Working"-- North Dakota Public Radio, July 10, 2006

More Timely News Here...

The Process of Reform in North Dakota

Chief Justice of the North Dakota Supreme Court, Gerald W. VandeWalle, began raising the issue of indigent defense reform around 2000.

Chief Justice Calls For Indigent Defense Reform

In 2005, the Chief Justice again called for indigent defense reform in his State of the Judiciary speech. Specifically, he called for the legislature to adopt the legislation supported by the task force and passed by the Interim Committee.


	Federal Public Defender Districts of North and South Dakota