# Title 40 — Municipal Government

## Chapter 40-18.1 — Municipal Courts

### § 40-18.1-01. Establishment of a municipal court.

1. The governing body of a city may, by ordinance or resolution, establish a municipal
court which is a part of the unified judicial system of this state. The supreme court may
supervise and sanction municipal courts and municipal court judges. A staff attorney
with the state court administrator's office may advise a municipal court judge and clerk
on an administrative and procedural court issue.
2. The governing body shall, by ordinance, provide for the election of at least one
full-time or part-time judge.
3. A city that establishes a municipal court shall provide:
a. Facilities for the use of the municipal court to conduct trials, hearings, and other
necessary duties; and
b. Necessary supplies and technology and sufficient clerical and nonjudicial support
personnel to assist the municipal judge.
4. Municipal court must be held at the time and place designated by the municipal judge.
The court schedule must be posted publicly by filing the notice with the city auditor's
office and posting the notice on the city's website if the city has a website.
5. Two or more cities, by resolution, may enter an agreement establishing a single joint
municipal court. A copy of the agreement must be filed with the state court
administrator. The agreement must include the name of the joint municipal court. As
used in this chapter, "municipal court" includes a joint municipal court.
6. Two or more cities, by resolution, may enter an agreement to provide jointly for
courtrooms, chambers, equipment, supplies, and staff for municipal courts and agree
to elect judges without establishing a joint municipal court. A copy of the agreement
must be filed with the state court administrator. If municipal courts share facilities and
resources in this manner, the identities of the individual courts must be expressed in
the case caption.
7. An agreement under subsection 5 or 6 may be terminated in the manner provided in
the agreement. If the agreement does not include a provision for termination, the
agreement may be terminated by any party upon the provision of not fewer than thirty
days notice to the governing bodies.
8. Beginning July 1, 2026, the municipal court is a court of record.
### § 40-18.1-02. Jurisdiction.

1. The municipal court has jurisdiction to hear, try, and determine offenses against the
ordinances of any city served by the court.
2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the municipal court does not have
jurisdiction to hear, try, and determine:
a. An offense that would be a violation of section 39-08-01 or equivalent ordinance,
if the individual charged with the offense has twice previously been convicted of a
violation of section 39-08-01 or equivalent ordinance within the seven years
preceding the commission of the offense charged or if the individual charged with
the offense has three times previously been convicted of a violation of section
commission of the offense charged. If the offense is charged in the municipal
court and the municipal judge has notice of a violation of section 39-08-01 or
equivalent ordinance twice within the seven years, or three times within the fifteen
years, preceding the commission of the offense charged, the municipal judge
shall dismiss the charge, without prejudice, and refer the matter to the state's
attorney of the county in which the municipal court is located.
b. An offense that would be a violation of section 39-08-01 or equivalent ordinance if
the judge is not licensed to practice law in this state.
c. A domestic violence offense.

d. A criminal offense, including criminal traffic offenses, against a juvenile, except a
municipal court may hear, try, and determine noncriminal offenses against a
juvenile if the juvenile is not subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the juvenile
court under chapter 27-20.2.
### § 40-18.1-03. Fitness to proceed.

1. If reason to doubt a defendant's fitness to proceed exists, as defined under section
12.1-04-04, the case must be:
a. Transferred to the district court for evaluation; or
b. Dismissed on motion by the prosecutor.
2. The district court shall order the defendant to undergo a fitness to proceed evaluation
under chapter 12.1-04. If the defendant is found fit to proceed, the case must be
remanded to the municipal court for further proceedings.
3. The time to petition to transfer the matter to district court under section 40-18.1-18 is
suspended pending determination of the defendant's fitness to proceed.
4. If the defendant is found to lack fitness to proceed, the case must be dismissed.
5. In proceedings under this section, the city shall provide a prosecuting attorney and, in
the case of an indigent defendant, a defense attorney. The city may contract with the
county, state, or any person for the prosecution or defense services.
### § 40-18.1-04. Criminal responsibility.

1. A case in which the defendant's criminal responsibility at the time of the crime is in
question may be transferred to the district court for evaluation upon written request by
the defendant. The defendant shall initiate the request within twenty-eight days after
arraignment and the district court shall order the defendant to undergo a criminal
responsibility evaluation under chapter 12.1-04.1.
2. Following the evaluation, if the defendant asserts the defense of lack of criminal
responsibility, the case must remain in district court for trial. If the defendant does not
assert the defense of lack of criminal responsibility, the district court shall remand the
case to the municipal court for further proceedings.
3. In proceedings under this section, the city shall provide a prosecuting attorney and, in
the case of an indigent defendant, a defense attorney. The city may contract with the
county, state, or any person for the prosecution or defense services.
### § 40-18.1-05. Election of municipal judge - Qualifications.

1. A municipal judge must be elected to serve a term of four years and may not hold any
other office in the city in which the municipal judge serves as a judge. The city auditor
shall notify the state court administrator of the election or appointment of a municipal
judge or alternate municipal judge.
2. Except when prohibited by home rule charter or ordinance, the municipal judge may
be a part-time judge and may serve as a municipal judge in more than one city.
3. A municipal judge in a city with a population of five thousand or more must be licensed
to practice law in this state and must be a resident of the city unless the city, by
ordinance or resolution, provides the municipal judge is not required to be a resident of
the city.
4. The municipal judge in a city with a population of fewer than five thousand is not
required to be licensed to practice law in this state and is not required to be a resident
of the city.
5. The governing body of the city shall fix the compensation of the municipal judge.
### § 40-18.1-06. Demand for change of judge.

A party to a proceeding pending in a municipal court may obtain a change of judge under
section 29-15-21. The municipal judge must be replaced in accordance with section 40-18.1-07.

### § 40-18.1-07. Vacancy in office of municipal judge - Disqualification - Temporary

absence of municipal judge.
1. If a vacancy exists in the office of municipal judge by death, resignation, or otherwise,
the governing body of the city shall appoint an individual to fill the vacancy.
2. The governing body may appoint alternate municipal judges to serve when a municipal
judge is unable to serve due to temporary absence, illness, disqualification, or
disability. The alternate judges must be compensated at a rate set by the governing
body.
3. If the alternate municipal judges also are disqualified or unavailable, the chief justice
may appoint a district court judge to a temporary assignment as a municipal court
judge for the purpose of presiding over the case.
### § 40-18.1-08. Clerk of municipal court.

1. The governing body of a city with a municipal court may provide for the office of clerk
of the municipal court, which may include deputy clerks of municipal court. The
governing body of the city shall appoint the clerk and deputy clerk, with the consent of
the municipal judge. The governing body shall fix the salary of the municipal clerk and
deputy clerk.
2. The clerk and deputy clerk of the municipal court shall issue all process of the court,
administer oaths, file and preserve all papers, docket cases, set trials, and perform
other acts necessary to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the court. The clerk
shall receive, account for, and pay on a monthly basis to the city general fund all fines
and forfeited bonds paid into the court.
### § 40-18.1-09. City prosecutor.

1. A prosecutor licensed to practice law in this state must be present for all contested
hearings and proceedings involving a class B misdemeanor in a municipal court.
2. The city shall pay the compensation of the prosecutor and any necessary expenses
incurred in prosecuting a violation of a city ordinance.
### § 40-18.1-10. Change of venue - Reliable electronic means.

1. A municipal judge shall consider the following factors when determining whether to
change the venue of a proceeding under this chapter:
a. Convenience to the parties and witnesses.
b. Judicial efficiency.
c. Available facilities.
d. Administration of justice.
2. A municipal judge may not change the venue of a proceeding if a party to the
proceeding objects to the change.
3. A municipal judge may use contemporaneous audio or audiovisual transmission by
reliable electronic means in accordance with rule 52 of the North Dakota Supreme
Court Administrative Rules. A municipal judge who presides over a proceeding through
contemporaneous audio or audiovisual transmission by reliable electronic means is
equivalent to a municipal judge who is physically present at the proceeding.
### § 40-18.1-11. Costs and fees.

1. A municipal court:
a. May not assess costs or fees against any individual except as specifically
provided in this chapter.
b. May assess a fee under subsection 2 of section 40-05-06.
c. May assess a court administration fee and a community service supervision fee
in an amount not to exceed the amounts allowed under section 29-26-22.
d. Shall assess the crime victim and witness program fee under section 27-01-10.
2. The judgment must itemize the fines and fees assessed.

### § 40-18.1-12. Action for violation of ordinance in corporate name - Previous

prosecution, recovery, or acquittal no defense.
An action brought to recover a fine, enforce a penalty, or punish a violation of a city
ordinance must be brought in the corporate name of the city as plaintiff. A prosecution, recovery,
or acquittal for the violation of a city ordinance may not constitute a defense to any other
prosecution of the same individual for any other violation of the ordinance, notwithstanding that
the different claims for relief existed at the time of the previous prosecution and if united, would
not have exceeded the jurisdiction of the court.
### § 40-18.1-13. Summons to issue on violation of ordinance - When warrant of arrest to

issue.
An action for a violation of an ordinance is initiated by a uniform complaint under section
there is probable cause to believe a criminal offense has been committed by the individual
charged, an arrest warrant must be issued, except a municipal judge may issue a summons
instead of an arrest warrant if the municipal judge has reason to believe the individual charged
will appear in response to the summons. An individual arrested under a warrant must be taken
without unnecessary delay before the municipal judge to be tried for the alleged offense.
### § 40-18.1-14. Commitment for nonpayment of fines or costs.

Any individual upon whom any fine or costs, or both, has been imposed for violation of a
municipal ordinance may, after hearing, be committed upon order of the court to jail or other
place provided by the municipality for the incarceration of offenders until the fine or costs, or
both, are fully paid. The court may not commit an individual under this section when the reason
for the individual's nonpayment of fines or costs is the individual's indigency. A commitment
order issued under this section may not exceed thirty days. As used in this section, "fine" does
not include a fee established under subsection 2 of section 40-05-06.
### § 40-18.1-15. Fines, fees, and forfeitures for violation of ordinances paid into city

general fund.
All fines, fees, penalties, and forfeitures collected for a violation of a city ordinance,
including those collected as a result of a judgment of a district court rendered under section
40-18.1-18, must be paid into the city's general fund.
### § 40-18.1-16. Diagnosis and treatment of individuals convicted of driving while under

the influence.
If an individual is convicted under an ordinance equivalent to an offense under section
39-08-01, the court shall sentence the defendant in accordance with that section.
### § 40-18.1-17. Sentencing alternatives - Suspension of sentence or imposition of

sentence.
Subject to section 40-05-06, a municipal judge may use the sentencing alternatives
provided under section 12.1-32-02 and may suspend any sentence the judge imposes or defer
the imposition of any sentence due to the good behavior of an individual adjudged to have
committed an offense, or for other reasonable cause, under subsection 3 or 4 of section
12.1-32-02, except a municipal judge may not suspend a sentence or the imposition of sentence
for driving a motor vehicle in violation of an operator's license suspension, revocation, or
restriction or for a violation of section 39-08-01 or equivalent ordinance if the suspension of
sentence or suspension of the imposition of sentence is prohibited under section 39-06-17 or
### § 40-18.1-18. Transfer to district court - Expenses of prosecution - Division of funds

and expenses among city, county, and state.
1. A defendant may request in writing to transfer the case to district court and to exercise
the defendant's right to a jury trial within twenty-eight days after arraignment. If the

request is filed within twenty-eight days after the arraignment, the judge shall grant the
request.
2. If the defendant waives a jury trial after a transfer to district court, the district court
shall remand the matter to the municipal court for disposition and sentencing if the
parties agree to a remand.
3. Unless remanded to the municipal court by agreement of the parties, the district court
retains jurisdiction for sentencing and enforcement.
4. The city shall provide a prosecuting attorney and, in the case of an indigent defendant,
a defense attorney. The city may contract with the county, state, or any person for the
prosecution or defense services.
5. The city, county, and state may agree to a division of any fees, fines, costs, forfeitures,
and any other monetary consideration collected from cases transferred under this
section, which must be paid to the city general fund and the county treasury and the
state general fund at least once each quarter. At the time of payment, the clerk of
district court shall account under oath to the city auditor, county treasurer, and state
treasurer for all money collected. In the contract, the city, county, and state may agree
to a division of expenses, including jury and witness expenses, related to cases
transferred under this section. In the absence of a contract, all fees, fines, costs,
forfeitures, and any other monetary consideration collected from transferred cases
must be deposited in the state general fund.
### § 40-18.1-19. Appeals from determinations of municipal judge not in courts of record.

1. For a case filed before July 1, 2026, an appeal may be taken to the district court from
a judgment of conviction or order deferring imposition of sentence in a municipal court
in accordance with the North Dakota Rules of Criminal Procedure.
2. An appeal is perfected by notice of appeal. A perfected appeal to the district court
transfers the action to the district court for trial anew. Failure to remove the case under
section 40-18.1-18 constitutes waiver of jury trial on appeal.
3. On all appeals from a determination in a municipal court, the district court shall take
judicial notice of all of the ordinances of the city.
4. A filing fee may not be required in district court for the filing of an appeal from a
judgment of conviction for the violation of a city ordinance.
5. Expenses necessary for the adequate defense of an indigent individual in an appeal to
the district court from a judgment of conviction for the violation of a municipal
ordinance, as approved by the presiding district judge, must be paid by the city where
the alleged offense took place.
6. Unless remanded to the municipal court by agreement of the parties, the district court
retains jurisdiction for sentencing and enforcement.
### § 40-18.1-20. Appeals from determinations of municipal judge in courts of record.

1. For a case filed on or after July 1, 2026, an appeal may be taken to the district court
from a judgment of conviction or order deferring imposition of sentence in a municipal
court in accordance with the North Dakota Rules of Criminal Procedure.
2. An appeal from a municipal court of record must originate from the file, record,
recording, transcript, or evidence from the municipal court.
3. The district court may affirm, reverse, or amend any appeal order or judgment and
may direct the proper order or judgment be entered or direct a new trial or further
proceeding be had in the court from which the appeal was taken.
### § 40-18.1-21. Municipal judge may enforce orders and judgments and punish for

contempt.
A municipal judge may enforce compliance with the court's orders and judgments. The
judge may fine or imprison for contempt committed in the judge's presence while holding court,
as well as for contempt of process issued, and of orders and judgments made by the judge. If
an act or omission constituting a contempt in a municipal court is not committed in the presence

of the municipal judge, an affidavit alleging the facts may be filed and a warrant of arrest may be
issued on which the individual accused may be arrested and brought before the municipal judge
immediately. The individual must be given a reasonable opportunity to employ counsel and
defend against the alleged contempt. After hearing the allegations and proof, the municipal
judge may discharge the individual or adjudge the individual guilty and may punish by fine,
imprisonment, or both. The fine in any case may not exceed one thousand five hundred dollars
and the imprisonment may not exceed thirty days.
### § 40-18.1-22. Judgment for fines, fees, or costs - Procedure.

1. If the judgment imposes a fine or assesses a fee, the municipal judge may order a
certified copy of the judgment be filed in the office of the clerk of the district court of
any county in the state. The clerk of district court shall treat the municipal court
judgment in the same manner as a civil judgment of any district court of any county of
the state.
2. At the time of filing the judgment with the office of the clerk of district court, the
municipal court judge shall order an affidavit providing the name and last-known
mailing address of the defendant and otherwise complying with section 28-20-15 be
filed.
3. Upon the filing of the judgment and affidavit, the clerk of municipal court shall mail
notice of the filing of the municipal judgment to the defendant at the defendant's last-
known address and file proof of mailing with the district court. The notice must include
the name and mailing address of the municipal court.
4. An execution of other process for enforcement of a municipal court judgment filed
under this section may not be issued until ten days after the date the judgment is filed.
5. If the defendant shows the district court of any county that an appeal from the
judgment is pending or will be taken, the court shall stay enforcement of the municipal
court judgment until the appeal is concluded or the time for appeal expires.
6. The municipal judge shall order the defendant to pay a filing fee of ten dollars to the
clerk of district court.
7. Upon filing of the judgment with the district court in accordance with this chapter, the
judgment is enforceable by the city only in the same manner as provided for a
judgment for money in a civil action.
### § 40-18.1-23. Transfer of municipal ordinance cases to district court.

With the agreement of the state court administrator, the governing body of a city may, by
ordinance, transfer some or all of the cases of the municipal court to the district court serving
the county in which the city is located without abolishing the municipal court. Cases transferred
under this section are deemed district court cases for purposes of appeal. The agreement must
provide the city is responsible for providing for the prosecution of the cases and for providing a
defense attorney in cases involving an indigent defendant.
### § 40-18.1-24. Abolition of municipal court in a city with a population of fewer than five

thousand.
1. The governing body of a city with a population of fewer than five thousand having a
municipal court may by resolution abolish its municipal court. The jurisdiction of a
municipal court abolished by resolution must be transferred to the district court of the
district in which the city is located.
2. The city auditor shall provide a copy of the resolution abolishing the court to the
presiding judge and clerk of court of the district court for the district in which the city is
located, the state's attorney for the county in which the city is located, and the state
court administrator. The resolution must provide the effective date of the transfer of
cases, which must be at least ninety days following the date of the resolution.
3. At least ten days before the effective date of the transfer, the clerk of the municipal
court shall deliver to the clerk of the district court all cases pending action by the
district court after the effective date of the resolution.

4. On the effective date of transfer, all proceedings relating to ordinance violations must
be within the jurisdiction of the district court. Judgments of courts which cease to exist
on the effective date of the resolution continue in effect and the district court may
enforce the judgments. Fines, forfeitures, and costs due and unpaid on the effective
date of the transfer and those which are subsequently collected on cases pending on
the effective date of the transfer must be collected by the district court and remitted to
the city.
5. The authority, duties, powers, jurisdiction, and term of the municipal judge terminates
on the last day of the month in which all municipal cases have been transferred to the
district court or the expiration of the judge's term, whichever occurs first.
### § 40-18.1-25. Abolition of municipal court in a city with a population of five thousand or

more.
1. The governing body of a city with a population of five thousand or more having a
municipal court may by resolution abolish its municipal court if the city has entered an
agreement with:
a. The governing body of the county in which the municipal court is located;
b. The presiding judge of the district in which the municipal court is located; and
c. The state court administrator's office.
2. The agreement must provide for an effective date of the transfer of the municipal court
cases to the district court not fewer than one hundred eighty days after the date of the
agreement unless otherwise agreed upon.
3. At least ten days before the effective date of the transfer, the clerk of the municipal
court shall deliver to the clerk of the district court all cases pending action by the
district court after the effective date of the transfer.
4. On the effective date of the transfer, all proceedings relating to ordinance violations
must be within the jurisdiction of the district court. Judgments of courts which cease to
exist on the effective date of the agreement continue in effect and the district court
may enforce the judgments. Fines, forfeitures, and costs due and unpaid on the
effective date of the transfer and those which are subsequently collected on cases
pending on the effective date must be collected by the district court and remitted to the
city.
5. The authority, duties, powers, jurisdiction, and term of the municipal judge terminates
on the last day of the month in which all municipal cases have been transferred to the
district court or the expiration of the judge's term, whichever occurs first.
### § 40-18.1-26. Compliance with rules adopted by the supreme court.

1. The supreme court shall adopt rules governing:
a. Municipal court procedure;
b. Qualifications, judicial conduct, and education of municipal judges;
c. Qualification and education of municipal clerks;
d. Requirements of municipal court facilities; and
e. Records to be maintained and reports to be filed by the municipal court.
2. Each municipal judge and alternate judge shall comply with the rules established by
the supreme court. The city shall reimburse the judge for necessary travel expenses,
meals, and lodging relating to compliance with the rules regarding qualifications,
judicial conduct, and education in the same manner as other city officials are
reimbursed.
3. If a municipal judge or alternate municipal judge fails to fulfill the requirements of the
rules established by the supreme court, the judicial conduct commission may order the
municipal judge not preside over municipal court proceedings.
