McKenzie County is located in the heart of the Williston Basin in western North Dakota. It covers a total area of 2760.1 square miles, making it the largest County in the state by land mass. The county has 7661 housing units and an average household income of $83,813. Its county seat is Watford City.

Courts in McKenzie County

McKenzie County is within the Northwest Judicial District. It is home to the District and the Municipal Courts. The District Court is a court of exclusive jurisdiction over criminal cases. However, it has general jurisdiction over all civil cases. It is authorized to issue original and remedial writs. The juvenile division of the court has both exclusive and general jurisdiction over juvenile cases, including issues on delinquency, adoption, and abortion by female minors without parental consent. It also has judicial appellate jurisdiction over many administrative agencies.

On the other hand, the Municipal Courts in McKenzie County hear cases involving all violations of city or municipal ordinances. However, violations of state law and certain violations involving juveniles are not within their jurisdiction.

Where to Find Public Court Records in McKenzie County

The Clerk of the Northwest Judicial District Court maintains all court records. The Office of the Clerk makes these records available online for easy access. Interested individuals can also visit the Office of the Clerk or mail a request for copies.

Types of Public Court Records in McKenzie County

All court records are open to the general public except those sealed by law or court order. In McKenzie County, the following types of court records are available to the public:

• Criminal Court Records: These include court proceedings for misdemeanors and felonies
• Civil Court Records: These include non-criminal disputes like breaches of contract and personal injury cases
• Traffic Court Records: These include traffic violations like driving without a seat belt or license
• Probate Court Records: These include will, documentation of decedents’ estates and liabilities
• Family Court Records: These include divorce, custody, and adoption cases

Confidential Court Records in McKenzie County

Confidential court records include records not open to public inspection by law or court order. The following are examples of such records in McKenzie County:

• Juvenile case proceedings
• Medical and mental health records
• Identifying information about jurors
• Unexecuted warrants and summons
• Pretrial bail
• Adoption and paternity proceedings
• Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, credit, debit, or electronic fund transfer card numbers
• Domestic violence protection order files
• Psychological evaluation and drug treatment records

Juvenile Delinquency in Mckenzie, ND

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

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

Government of McKenzie County, ND

https://www.nd.gov/

County Seat:	Watford City
Government Type:	County
Authority:	Dillon's Rule
Year Organized:	1905
Total Square Miles:	2,861
2019 Population:	12,724
Persons/Square Mile:	0.22
County Contact:	201 5Th St Nw County Courthouse Watford City , ND 58854-7119 https://county.mckenziecounty.net/

Mckenzie County, ND Courts