Stutsman County is located in the southeast region of the State of North Dakota. It covers 2,298 square miles, making it the state’s second-largest county by size. The county has 64 townships and 11 cities that accommodate over 20,000 residents. The City of Jamestown serves as the county seat.

Courts in Stutsman County

The Stutsman County court system includes a District Court and a Municipal Court responsible for handling legal matters in the county. Both courts have different jurisdictions that define the various cases that residents may file at their respective courthouses.

Stutsman County District Court constitutes the Southeast Judicial District, among other counties. The District Court has general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases filed in the county. It handles civil cases related to domestic relations, probate issues, contract disputes, and other civil lawsuits seeking monetary compensation. The District Court also hears small claims cases in which the amount involved is less than $5,000. Criminal matters are heard by the District Court, including felonies, misdemeanors, and cases that are transferred from the Municipal Court for jury trials.

The Juvenile Court Division handles cases concerning minors. It conducts proceedings for juvenile delinquency, guardianships, children requiring protection or similar services, parental rights termination, and minors seeking legally mandated judicial consent for specific situations, such as marriage or employment.

Lastly, the Jamestown Municipal Court in Stustman County has jurisdiction over Class B misdemeanor offenses like disorderly conduct or petty theft. Such misdemeanors are punishable by a jail sentence of up to 30 days, $1,500 fines, or both. It also handles cases involving non-criminal traffic offenses and infractions like unlawful parking and selling tobacco or electronic smoking devices to minors.

Where to Find Public Court Records in Stutsman County

The Clerk of District Court and Municipal Court Clerk in Stutsman County are responsible for maintaining public court records of cases filed at their offices. The Clerks also provide access to court records they manage for inspection. Individuals may visit the County Courthouse to access court records on the public terminals or inspect them at the Clerk’s Office. The Clerks may also provide copies of such court records upon receiving requests by mail or email. Likewise, the District Court provides access to its case records and information online.

Types of Public Court Records in Stutsman County

Stusman County provides public access to the following types of non-confidential court records:

• Civil Court Records
• Criminal Court Records
• Probate Court Records
• Traffic Court Records
• Domestic Relations Records
• Small Claims Records

Confidential Court Records in Stusman County

North Dakota laws and court rules or policies govern the access to court records in Stusman County. While most court records in the state are publicly accessible, there are confidential court records or information that are unavailable to the general public. Confidential court records in Stusman County usually contain private or sensitive information that can only be disclosed to individuals authorized by the court or the parties involved in the court proceedings.

The following court records and information are confidential in Stutsman County:

• Juvenile court records
• Mental health commitment records
• Court records containing personal identifiers, such as social security numbers, credit or debit card numbers, and bank account numbers
• Adoption and paternity case records
• Records of domestic violence protection orders
• Medical records
• Drug and alcohol treatment records

Juvenile Delinquency in Stutsman, ND

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

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

Government of Stutsman County, ND

https://www.nd.gov/

County Seat:	Jamestown
Government Type:	County
Authority:	Home Rule
Year Organized:	1873
Total Square Miles:	2,298
2019 Population:	21,087
Persons/Square Mile:	0.11
County Contact:	511 2Nd Ave Se County Courthouse Jamestown , ND 58401-4210 http://www.co.stutsman.nd.us

Stutsman County, ND Courts