---
title: "Lindsey Nieuwsma | KnowJudges"
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updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Lindsey Nieuwsma

North Dakota South Central Judicial District Court · District Judge

## Profile

- Court: North Dakota South Central 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

- Lindsey R. Nieuwsma is a District Court Judge for the North Dakota South Central Judicial District, Department 9, appointed by Governor Doug Burgum on September 1, 2021
- 2015–2018: Staff Attorney for the North Dakota State Court Administrator’s Office
- Practiced in Bismarck from 2010 to 2015 and held the role of staff attorney for the State Court Administrator’s Office from 2015 to 2018
- Her academic qualifications include a North Dakota State University criminal-justice degree in 2006 and a University of Minnesota law degree in 2010, entering the North Dakota bar in 2011
- Her professional service includes judicial standards, juvenile-justice planning and Indian Child Welfare Act court-improvement work

### Education

- University of Minnesota School of Law — J.D. (2010)
- B.S in Criminal Justice — North Dakota State University — 2006

### Additional information

- Governor Doug Burgum appointed her to South Central Judgeship 9 in September 2021, succeeding John W. Grinsteiner.
- 2018–2021: Judicial Referee & Magistrate for the South Central Judicial District.
- She became a South Central Judicial District referee and magistrate in 2018
- 2010–2015: Private practice attorney in Bismarck, ND.
- Appointed by: Governor Doug Burgum, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge John W. Grinsteiner
- She has presided over a wide range of cases, including juvenile delinquency, child welfare, drug court, mental health commitments, evictions, domestic violence protection orders, child support, traffic, small claims, guardianships, conservatorships, and initial adult criminal appearances
- Juvenile Justice Services Planning Committee for the Commission on Juvenile Justice
- Lindsey R. Nieuwsma grew up on a ranch near Grassy Butte, North Dakota.
- handling juvenile and child-welfare matters, mental-health commitments, evictions, protection orders, child support, traffic, small claims, guardianships and criminal initial appearances.

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