---
title: "Joshua B. Rustad | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/joshua-rustad-nd-nwjd-1"
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updated: "2026-10-07"
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# Joshua B. Rustad

North Dakota Northwest Judicial District Court · District Judge

## Profile

- Court: North Dakota Northwest 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

- Joshua B. Rustad is the District Court Judge for Northwest Judicial District No. 1 in Williston, North Dakota, elected in 2010 and re‐elected in 2016
- Practiced privately in Williston from 1999 to 2006, then supervised the Williston office of Legal Counsel for Indigents from 2006 to 2010
- Position: District Court Judge, Northwest Judicial District, No. 1 (Williams County)

### Education

- University of North Dakota School of Law — J.D. (1999)
- Joshua B. Rustad graduated from Williston High School in 1991, earned his undergraduate degree at the University of North Dakota in 1995, and graduated from its law school in 1999.

### Additional information

- He won election to the Northwest Judicial District in 2010 and reelected in 2016.
- He was admitted to the North Dakota bar in 1999.
- Judge Rustad’s legal career spans private litigation work and public service in legal aid for indigent clients.
- His judicial role covers Williams County and is part of the Northwest Judicial District, which also includes Divide and McKenzie counties
- His judgeship is associated with Department 1 in Williston.

## 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/northwest)
- [Official roster](https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations/northwest)
- [North Dakota Court System official judicial roster](https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations/northwest)
- [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/northwest)
- [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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