Cass County Court Records

Court records in Cass County, North Dakota, are maintained by the clerk of the district court and can be accessed through online tools, official court portals, and the clerk's office. CassNDCourt.us can help you find publicly available court record information for Cass County. You can also search records through the North Dakota Courts Records Inquiry portal, visit the clerk's office at the Cass County Courthouse, or use state-level government resources to locate criminal, civil, family, and traffic case records.

Cass County Court System Overview

Cass County is part of the East Central Judicial District in North Dakota. This judicial district covers Cass County exclusively, reflecting the county's large population centered around Fargo. The district court in Cass County is a court of general jurisdiction, meaning it handles all case types — criminal, civil, family, probate, and juvenile. Magistrate judges within the district handle lower-level matters such as misdemeanors, small claims, and traffic cases. The Cass County Courthouse houses the clerk's office on the second floor, while other county offices occupy the first floor.

Courts Serving Cass County

Several courts at the state and federal level serve Cass County residents:

The Fargo Municipal Court handles city ordinance violations within Fargo. Federal courts in Fargo hear cases involving federal criminal charges, federal civil disputes, and bankruptcy filings.

What Types of Cases Cass County Courts Hear

Courts serving Cass County handle a broad range of case types:

• Criminal: Felonies, misdemeanors, infractions
• Traffic: Moving violations, DUI/DWI
• Civil: Lawsuits, contract disputes, personal injury, small claims
• Family law: Divorce, custody, child support, paternity, protection orders
• Probate: Decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships, trusts
• Juvenile: Delinquency proceedings, child protective cases
• Adoption and termination of parental rights

The sections below explain which division — district or magistrate — handles each category and how cases progress through the system.

District Court Cases in Cass County

The district court in Cass County hears the most serious and complex matters. Felony criminal cases typically begin with a preliminary hearing before a magistrate and are then bound over to a district judge for arraignment, trial, and sentencing. Civil lawsuits exceeding the magistrate court's jurisdictional dollar limit are filed directly in district court. District judges also hear appeals from magistrate court decisions and handle post-conviction proceedings such as motions for new trial or sentence reduction. Cases are assigned to individual judges through the court's internal assignment process. The presiding judge manages the overall docket and may reassign cases based on workload or conflicts.

Magistrate Court Cases in Cass County

Magistrate judges in Cass County handle a high volume of cases, including:

• Misdemeanors and infractions
• Preliminary hearings for felony cases
• Civil cases up to $35,000 (the jurisdictional limit under North Dakota law)
• Small claims up to $15,000
• Traffic violations
• DUI arraignments and hearings

Because Cass County is the most populous county in North Dakota, magistrate judges often carry specialized caseloads. Small claims cases follow a simplified procedure — attorneys are generally not required, and hearings are less formal. Traffic and DUI cases are typically scheduled in dedicated court sessions to manage volume efficiently.

Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Cass County

Family law: Divorce, custody, child support, paternity, civil protection orders, and termination of parental rights cases are heard in district court. Parties can file petitions through the clerk's office, and the North Dakota Legal Self Help Center provides forms and guidance for self-represented litigants.

Probate: Decedent estate proceedings, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust matters are also handled by district court judges. These cases are filed with the clerk of district court in Cass County.

Juvenile: Juvenile Corrections Act proceedings and Child Protective Act cases are heard in district court. Juvenile records are confidential under North Dakota law and are not available through public search portals. Juvenile court services in Cass County coordinate with the court on case management, supervision, and diversion programs. Contact the clerk's office at (701) 451-6900 for questions about juvenile case procedures.

How Cases Move Through the Cass County Court System

1. Filing / Initiation: A criminal case begins with a complaint or citation filed by law enforcement or the state's attorney. Civil cases start with a complaint filed by the plaintiff. Family and probate matters begin with a petition.
2. Assignment to Judge: The clerk's office assigns the case to a district or magistrate judge based on case type and the court's rotation system.
3. Initial Hearing: Criminal defendants appear for arraignment, where charges are read and a plea is entered. Civil cases proceed to a scheduling conference where deadlines for discovery and motions are set.
4. Pre-Trial Phase: Both sides exchange evidence through discovery. Motions may be filed to dismiss charges, suppress evidence, or resolve procedural issues. In criminal cases, plea negotiations often occur during this phase.
5. Trial or Resolution: Cases may resolve through a plea agreement, settlement, default judgment, or proceed to a bench or jury trial.
6. Post-Judgment: In criminal cases, sentencing follows a guilty verdict or plea. Civil judgments may be enforced through garnishment or other collection methods. Either party may appeal to the North Dakota Supreme Court.

Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Cass County

The East Central Judicial District is administered by the administrative district judge and a trial court administrator who oversee day-to-day operations, judicial assignments, and staffing. Local court rules for the East Central Judicial District govern scheduling, motion practice, and courtroom procedures. These rules can be accessed through the North Dakota Court System website.

Public access to records: Under North Dakota law and court administrative rules, most court records are open to the public. Exceptions include juvenile records, sealed cases, adoption files, and certain mental health proceedings. The District Court Case Search portal provides online access to criminal, traffic, and civil case information, though restricted records are excluded from search results.

Attending hearings: Court hearings in Cass County are generally open to the public. Some proceedings may be conducted remotely via video or telephone — contact the clerk's office at (701) 451-6900 to ask about remote hearing options for a specific case.

Court Records and Related Court Resources in Cass County

• Court docket and case search: Use the North Dakota Courts Records Inquiry to search criminal, civil, and traffic case records in Cass County by name, case number, or citation number.
• Criminal case search help: The criminal case records search guide explains how to search by defendant name, attorney, case number, or date filed.
• Court forms and self-help: The Legal Self Help Center offers forms, instructions, and general information for people representing themselves in North Dakota courts.
• Expungement information: The North Dakota courts provide an expungement of criminal records guide outlining eligibility and the petition process.
• Criminal history record checks: You can request a criminal history record check through the North Dakota Attorney General's office by submitting a written request with payment by check or money order.
• Criminal background checks (fingerprint-based): The ND Department of Health and Human Services provides fingerprinting locations for employment-related background checks.
• Jail and custody information: The City of Fargo provides information about the Cass County Jail, bail procedures, and arraignment scheduling for arrested persons.
• State inmate lookup: The ND Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation resident lookup allows you to search for individuals currently incarcerated in a North Dakota state correctional facility.
• Vital records: Marriage and divorce records related to court orders can be obtained through North Dakota Vital Records, which also handles birth and death records.
• Clerk's office and public records requests: For certified copies of court documents or records not available online, contact the Cass County Clerk of District Court at (701) 451-6900 or visit the courthouse during business hours.