N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. & Ord. 34

As amended through March 18, 2024

Rule 34 - Advocates For Alleged Victims in Civil Protection Order Cases

Section 1. Statement of Policy.

Under the authority of the supreme court in N.D. Const. art. VI, § 3, and N.D.C.C. §§ 27-02-07 and 27-02-08 it is the policy of the supreme court of North Dakota to provide opportunity for appropriate services to persons who are alleged victims of domestic violence or sexual assault in proceedings in the trial courts of North Dakota.

Section 2. Definition of Certified Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Advocate. A certified domestic violence sexual assault advocate is defined as a person who:

(a) is certified by an approved certifying entity as a certified domestic violence sexual assault advocate to provide direct support services to alleged victims of domestic violence or sexual assault;

(b) is affiliated with a domestic violence sexual assault program which is a member of an approved certifying entity;

(c) has completed 42 hours of domestic violence and sexual assault training relating to the services and proceedings under N.D.C.C. ch. 14-07.1, and § 12.1-31-01.2 under a curriculum provided by an approved certifying entity subject to the approval of a committee of three consisting of the state health officer, the attorney general and the president of the state bar association of North Dakota, or their designees; and

(d) has completed, in each year following the year of certification, 12 additional hours of training in the areas set forth in subsection 2(a) and which are developed and approved by the committee of three identified in subsection 2(c).

Section 3. Definition of Approved Certifying Entity.

An approved certifying entity is an organization determined by the supreme court or its designee to be qualified to train and certify domestic violence advocates. To qualify to train and certify domestic violence advocates an organization must file with the supreme court or its designee satisfactory proof that the organization:

(a) is capable of providing a 42-hour course of domestic violence and sexual assault training relating to the services and proceedings under N.D.C.C. ch. 14-07.1, and § 12.1-31-01.2, following a curriculum approved by the committee of three identified in subsection 2(c);

(b) is capable of providing, in each year following the year of certification of a domestic violence advocate, ten additional hours of training in the areas set forth in Section 2(a) and which are developed and approved by the committee of three identified in subsection 2(c);

(c) provides affiliation and support to local domestic violence sexual assault programs in North Dakota; and

(d) has established a grievance procedure as set forth in Section 6.

Section 4. Lists of Certified Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Advocates.

Each approved certifying entity must provide the state court administrator with an annual list of certified domestic violence sexual assault advocates in North Dakota as may be revised by the entity from time to time. The state court administrator must provide copies of the current list to all judges presiding in proceedings under N.D.C.C. ch. 14-07.1 and § 12.1-31-01.2, and to any person, upon request.

Section 5. The Role of Domestic Violence Advocates in Court Proceedings. In all proceedings under N.D.C.C. ch. 14-07.1 and § 12.1-31-01.2, a certified domestic violence sexual assault advocate may:

(a) assist the petitioner in completing printed forms for proceedings under N.D.C.C. ch. 14-07.1 and § 12.1-31-01.2; and

(b) sit with the petitioner during court proceedings

Section 6. Grievance Procedure.

The approved certifying entity must establish a grievance procedure, prepared in consultation with the president of the state bar association of North Dakota, or the president's designee, which must include provisions for universal standing to submit a complaint, due process, and prompt disposition of complaints.

Section 7. Unauthorized Practice of Law.

When providing services under section 5, a certified domestic violence sexual assault advocate is not engaged in the unauthorized practice of law.

Section 8. Effective Date.

The effective date of this rule, as amended, is August 11, 2021.

N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. & Ord. 34

Adopted effective 3/1/1992; amended effective 1/1/2005; amended effective 12/1/2017; amended effective 8/11/2021.