---
title: "James D. Hovey | KnowJudges"
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# James D. Hovey

North Dakota Southeast Judicial District Court · District Judge

## Profile

- Court: North Dakota Southeast Judicial District Court
- State: North Dakota
- Role: District Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-10-02

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- District Court Judge for Southeast Judicial District #4 in North Dakota, serving since 2010

### Education

- University of North Dakota School of Law — J.D. (1996)
- University of North Dakota J.D. with distinction in 1996.
- His academic qualifications include a University of North Dakota Russian-and-Soviet-studies B.A. in 1987, University of Arizona Russian-language-and-literature M.A. in 1991

### Additional information

- James D. Hovey serves in North Dakota’s Southeast Judicial District, judgeship4 at New Rockford, following Governor John Hoeven’s 2010 appointment.
- 2001–2010: Served as City Attorney for Larimore, ND.
- Practiced in Grand Forks in 1996–2010, held the role of Larimore city attorney in 2001–2010 and taught at UND’s Center for Legal Studies.
- Admitted to the North Dakota bar in 1996, he also held Minnesota and federal-district admissions.
- His graduate work included Russian teaching and study at Moscow State University.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### remote hearing and evidence

Scope: statewide

North Dakota Administrative Rule 52 permits reliable electronic-means proceedings in district and municipal courts on the court's or a party's motion; a party seeking the proceeding must give notice and obtain court approval.

Evidence excerpt: Parties seeking to hold an electronic means proceeding must provide notice to the other parties and obtain approval from the court.

[North Dakota Supreme Court Administrative Rule 52: Reliable Electronic Means Proceedings](https://www.ndcourts.gov/news/north-dakota/north-dakota-supreme-court/general-news/remote-proceedings-by-electronic-means-a-useful-tool)
Source checked: 2026-07-27

### remote hearing and evidence

Scope: statewide

North Dakota's official Rule 52 guidance states that in civil actions a court may conduct a hearing, conference, other proceeding, or take testimony by reliable electronic means.

Evidence excerpt: In a civil action, the court may conduct a hearing, conference, or other proceeding, or take testimony, by reliable electronic means.

[North Dakota Supreme Court Administrative Rule 52: Reliable Electronic Means Proceedings](https://www.ndcourts.gov/news/north-dakota/north-dakota-supreme-court/general-news/remote-proceedings-by-electronic-means-a-useful-tool)
Source checked: 2026-07-27


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations/southeast)
- [Official roster](https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations/southeast)
- [North Dakota Court System official judicial roster](https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations/southeast)
- [North Dakota Supreme Court Administrative Rule 52: Reliable Electronic Means Proceedings](https://www.ndcourts.gov/news/north-dakota/north-dakota-supreme-court/general-news/remote-proceedings-by-electronic-means-a-useful-tool)
- [North Dakota Court System official judicial roster](https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations/southeast)
- [North Dakota Supreme Court Administrative Rule 52: Reliable Electronic Means Proceedings](https://www.ndcourts.gov/news/north-dakota/north-dakota-supreme-court/general-news/remote-proceedings-by-electronic-means-a-useful-tool)

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