BISMARCK -- Citing growth in population and caseloads, the North Dakota Supreme Court on Tuesday assigned four new judges to Dickinson, Mandan, Watford City and Williston.
State lawmakers approved the four additional district court judges effective July 1.
The Supreme Court identified the greatest need in the Northwest, South Central and Southwest judicial districts, and decided where to chamber the judges based on population distribution, caseload, facilities and the recommendation of each district's presiding judge.
All three districts have seen significant population growth, driven largely by oil and gas activity.
Justices recognized in their order that there continues to be "a chronic lack of judicial resources" in some judicial districts.
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"However, we are confident with the steady efforts of the district judges and staff we will continue to provide effective judicial services to all counties in the state," the order stated.
The annual salary for a district judge will be $139,679 during the first year of the 2015-17 biennium and $143,869 for the second year.
