Administrative Rule 29 - QUALIFICATIONS, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION AND AUTHORITY OVER JURY BAILIFFS

Section 1. Authority.

The North Dakota judicial system provides for jury bailiff services in the district courts. Under N.D. Const. art. VI, § 3, the supreme court adopts this rule relating to bailiffs.

Section 2. Statement of Policy and Purpose.

It is the policy of the North Dakota judicial system to provide for uniform qualifications, employment, authority, compensation, training, and conduct of jury bailiffs among the district courts of the North Dakota judicial system.

Section 3. Qualifications.

Minimum qualifications for bailiffs include:

(a) United States citizenship; and

(b) physical residence within the judicial district served, unless physical residence is waived by the presiding judge of the judicial district.

Section 4. Employment, Compensation, and Authority.

(a) The presiding judge, on behalf of the judges in the judicial district, will employ all jury bailiffs for the district court. Jury bailiffs will be compensated under the appropriate compensation schedule established by the North Dakota judicial system. District court jury bailiffs are temporary, part-time employees of the North Dakota judicial system.

(b) The presiding judge may delegate administrative authority over jury bailiffs to the unit administrator, clerk of court, or other administrative authority by executing such delegation in writing.

Section 5. Role of Jury Bailiffs.

Jury bailiffs will:

(a) attend to the needs of the jury; and

(b) assist the court as directed.

Jury bailiffs may not provide law enforcement services to the court.

Section 6. Training.

The state court administrator must develop a manual to assist local courts in training and providing instructions to jury bailiffs.

The presiding judge of the judicial district must provide for appropriate periodic training programs for all jury bailiffs of all courts of the judicial district.