Comprehensive directory of North Dakota legal resources including attorneys, bar associations, courts, legal aid organizations, and law schools.
Bar Association Members
Law School
Bar Founded
Legal Aid Available
Oldest unified state bar association in the nation, founded in 1899 with over 3,100 members.
North Dakota has a unified state court system with three levels of courts.
The United States District Court for the District of North Dakota was created in 1889 when the Dakota Territory was divided into North Dakota and South Dakota.
Non-profit organization providing free legal assistance in civil cases to low-income and elderly North Dakotans.
Offered through the State Bar Association of North Dakota.
Grand Forks
North Dakota's only ABA-accredited law school, established in 1899 with continuous accreditation since 1923.
North Dakota distinguishes between expungement (deletion of records) and sealing (making records inaccessible to public).
Limited circumstances where records can be deleted:
Under Chapter 12-60.1 of the NDCC, records can be sealed if:
Even if court records are sealed or expunged, information remains in criminal history records and cannot be deleted from criminal history if you pleaded guilty or were convicted.
Non-profit corporation formed in 1984, serving western North Dakota.
Serves eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota.
State's chief legal officer responsible for legal matters affecting the public.
Use the State Bar Association of North Dakota's Lawyer Referral & Information Service (LRIS) at (701) 255-1404 or (800) 472-2685. You can also visit sband.org to find an attorney. For free legal help, contact Legal Services of North Dakota at (800) 634-5263 (under 60) or (866) 621-9886 (age 60+) if you qualify based on income.
The State Bar Association of North Dakota (SBAND) is the oldest unified state bar association in the nation, founded in 1899. With over 3,100 members, SBAND regulates attorneys, maintains professional standards, and provides services to both attorneys and the public. The LRIS helps connect people with licensed attorneys. Address: 1661 Capitol Way, Suite 104LL, Bismarck, ND 58501.
Yes. Legal Services of North Dakota (LSND) provides free legal assistance in civil cases to low-income and elderly North Dakotans. Call (800) 634-5263 (under 60) or (866) 621-9886 (age 60+). LSND has offices in Bismarck, Minot, Fargo, and Belcourt. Additionally, the Volunteer Lawyers Program offers low-cost legal assistance based on income, and North Dakota Free Legal Answers provides virtual legal advice at no cost.
Expungement means the complete deletion or destruction of criminal records. In North Dakota, expungement is limited to juvenile crimes, marijuana possession, and crimes committed as a trafficking victim. Sealing (available since August 1, 2019) makes records inaccessible to the public and applies more broadly to dismissed charges, acquittals, and some felonies if certain waiting periods are met. Important: Even if records are sealed or expunged, the information remains in criminal history records if you were convicted.
North Dakota has a unified state court system with three levels: (1) Supreme Court (appellate jurisdiction), (2) District Courts (trial courts with general jurisdiction for civil and criminal cases), and (3) Justice Courts (limited jurisdiction for small claims, traffic, and minor criminal matters). Additionally, the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota handles federal cases, with headquarters in Bismarck and offices in Fargo, Grand Forks, and Minot.
North Dakota has one ABA-accredited law school: the University of North Dakota School of Law in Grand Forks, established in 1899. UND Law offers JD programs, accelerated BA/BS/JD options, joint degrees (JD/MBA, JD/MPA, JD/MPH), and certificates in Indian and Tribal Law, Aviation Law, and Energy & Environmental Law. Current enrollment is approximately 240 students. Median LSAT is 148 and median GPA is 3.34.
Contact a DUI/DWI defense attorney immediately. North Dakota has strict DWI laws with serious consequences. There are 44+ DUI attorneys in the state, with experienced firms in Bismarck, Fargo, Minot, and other cities. Many offer free initial consultations. Important: You have only 10 days from arrest to request an administrative hearing to contest license suspension. If you cannot afford an attorney, contact Legal Services of North Dakota at (800) 634-5263 to see if you qualify for free representation.
Court forms and self-help materials are available on the North Dakota Courts website. You can also find forms at Legal Documents Online, through Do It Yourself Legal Documents, or by using legal form software. A self-help clinic is available through the courts for unrepresented parties in civil cases. Contact your local district court for assistance.
To seal criminal records in North Dakota, you must file a petition in the District Court where the original case was filed. You must meet specific requirements: (1) charges were dismissed or you were wrongly convicted, (2) for misdemeanor offenses, you haven't been charged with a new crime for at least 3 years, OR for felony offenses, you haven't been indicted for at least 5 years. Visit Attorney General's website or contact Legal Services of North Dakota at (800) 634-5263 for assistance.
The United States District Court for the District of North Dakota was created in 1889 when the Dakota Territory divided. It has jurisdiction over all federal matters in North Dakota and is headquartered in Bismarck at the William L. Guy Federal Building, with additional offices in Fargo, Grand Forks, and Minot. The court has two permanent judgeships. Appeals from the federal district court go to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit (except patent claims and Tucker Act claims, which go to the Federal Circuit).
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Last updated on November 27, 2025