Grand Forks County, located in the northeastern part of North Dakota, was established in 1873 and named after the meeting point of the Red Lake River and the Red River called the Grand Forks. The county covers an area of about 1,439 square miles and is home to about 73,000 North Dakotans. Its county seat is Grand Forks City, home to the Grand Forks Air Force Base.

Courts in Grand Forks County

The trial court system of Grand Forks County comprises District and Municipal Courts. The Grand Forks County District Court has general jurisdiction over all criminal and civil matters, including civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile matters. The court handles felonies, misdemeanors, divorce, child custody, wills, guardianships of minors, adoption, and juvenile delinquency lawsuits. The District Court has jurisdiction over appeals from decisions made by Municipal Courts. The District Court has a Small Claims Division that presides over disputes for claims for less than $5,000.

The Municipal Courts in Grand Forks County have limited jurisdiction over some civil and criminal cases. They handle cases within the city limits of Grand Forks and deal with violations of city ordinances, including misdemeanors, traffic violations, and other minor offenses.

Where to Find Public Court Records in Grand Forks County

Public court records are documents from the court that are available to the general public. Persons interested in viewing and obtaining public court records may utilize the North Dakota Court Records Inquiry online platform to obtain documents from the Grand Forks District and Municipal Courts. Record seekers may also visit the courthouse to obtain the records or mail requests for public court records.

Types of Public Court Records in Grand Forks County

Public access to court records ensures that the judicial system is transparent, which fosters public trust in the county’s legal system. The following types of public court records are publicly available in Grady County:

• Civil Court Records: Evictions, foreclosures, defamation, contract breach, business litigations, and boundary disputes
• Criminal Court Records: Felonies, including burglaries and fraud. Misdemeanors, such as vandalism and public intoxication
• Probate Records: Guardianships, conservatorships, wills and estates, and name change
• Family Court Records: Legal separation, marriage dissolution, divorce, child custody, child support, and alimony
• Traffic Records: Speeding tickets, reckless driving, redlight violations, hit and run, and seatbelt violations

Confidential Court Records in Grand Forks County

Confidential court records are private and sensitive records maintained by the courts, inaccessible to the public. Confidential court records are sealed to safeguard the individuals involved and avoid misuse that could lead to discrimination. Confidential court records in Grand Forks County include:

• Juvenile Court records
• Grand jury proceedings
• Crime victim and confidential informant information
• Drug and alcohol treatment program records
• Mental health records

Personal data on public court records are confidential and exempt from public view. Personal identifiers on public court records are redacted to protect the record holder from potential threats and harassment and minimize the risk of fraud and identity theft. Personal identifying information excluded from public view includes:

• Social Security numbers
• Health insurance identification numbers
• Tax identification numbers
• Driver’s license numbers
• Home and personal email addresses

Juvenile Delinquency in Grand Forks, ND

Unfortunately, in many areas of the Grand Forks County, juvenile delinquency crimes are on the rise. There are many reasons for the increase in youth offenders. The juvenile sentence in North Dakota often depends on the severity of the crime, the number of offenses, and other family matters.

A lot of counties, including, Grand Forks County, are focusing on family health and relationships rather than punishment for juvenile crimes. Future Grand Forks County juvenile delinquency statistics will show whether or not this approach is working.

Government of Grand Forks County, ND

https://www.nd.gov/

County Seat:	Grand Forks
Government Type:	County
Authority:	Dillon's Rule
Year Organized:	1873
Total Square Miles:	1,440
2019 Population:	70,795
Persons/Square Mile:	0.02
County Contact:	151 S 4Th St County Courthouse Grand Forks , ND 58201-4715 http://www.gfcounty.nd.gov

Grand Forks County, ND Courts