Fargo Litigation & Appeals Law Blog

Written by attorney Scott Patrick Brand of Brudvik Law Office, P.C.

Until recently, there has been no process in North Dakota for citizens who have been convicted of non-violent and/or non-sexual offenses to have their convictions sealed from public viewing regardless of how long ago the offenses happened or how minor they were. However, a new law that becomes effective on August 1, 2019, fixes that problem. There is judicial oversight of the process to ensure the right citizens are getting the relief they seek while giving the court the authority to deny a request if it is improper.[1]

In order to get your record sealed, you must submit a petition to the court in the existing criminal case you want to be sealed.[2] The petition must include your name (including any aliases), your addresses from the date of your offense until the date of your petition, the reasons why the petition should be granted, and your criminal history.[3] You must file a proposed order when filing the petition and ensure the prosecutor is served with the documents.[4]

Like most of your neighbors, you work hard every day. Whether you have millions of dollars or just a few assets, you want control over what happens to your belongings. If you do not have a comprehensive will, you may have little say in the matter. Further, if you have not reviewed your will in a few years, it may no longer represent your most current wishes. 

Writing a will can be challenging. Unfortunately, though, you may need to rework your will’s language several times throughout your life. If any of the following four situations apply to you, you should probably update your will now: 

When college students flood their campuses at the beginning of fall for the start of classes, college towns once again fill up with their school-year resident population. Along with the boost that students provide to local college-town economies, there are also particular risks and hazards that come with hosting so many college students.

One particular risk that applies to college students is that of underage drinking and driving while intoxicated. But does drinking on college campuses affect the local rate of DUIs in towns that host colleges and universities?

When you are preparing your will, choosing your executor will be a top priority. Right away, you may think about naming your spouse for the task, but is this a good idea?

There are several points to consider about the person you choose, and attributes you might admire in a relative or good friend will likely play a role in your final decision.