--- title: "Steven E. McCullough | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/steven-mccullough-nd-ecjd-3" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Steven E. McCullough North Dakota East Central Judicial District Court · Presiding District Judge ## Profile - Court: North Dakota East Central Judicial District Court - State: North Dakota - Role: Presiding 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 - The Presiding Judge of the East Central Judicial District #3 in North Dakota, serving since 2004, and announced his retirement on November 1, 2026 - In August 2026, Judge McCullough notified Chief Justice Lisa Fair McEvers and Governor Kelly Armstrong of his intent to retire November 1, 2026 - Position: Presiding Judge, East Central Judicial District #3 (Cass, Steele, and Traill Counties) ### Education - University of North Dakota School of Law — J.D. (1987) - The official court retirement notice identifies his undergraduate degree as a Moorhead State University Bachelor of Business Administration. ### Additional information - His retirement in late 2026 concludes a distinguished career in law and public service - The court announced on August 4, 2026 that he intends to retire November 1, 2026. - Practiced privately from 1987 until election to the East Central Judicial District in 2004. - His academic qualifications include a University of North Dakota law degree in 1987 and entered the North Dakota bar that year. - 1962, West Fargo, ND (Born). - His career encompassed work at Ohnstad Twichell and service as presiding judge, with chambers in Fargo. - His civic work has included leadership of West Fargo education, scholarship, library and business organizations. - Judge McCullough was a shareholder at Ohnstad Twichell, P.C. before joining the bench. - He has been active in civic and legal organizations, including the West Fargo Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Jaycees, and the Cass County Bar Association - Steven E. McCullough is a West Fargo native and West Fargo High School graduate. ## 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: courtwide For an East Central Judicial District proceeding by reliable electronic means, intended exhibits should be marked, filed, and served at least two business days before the proceeding through Odyssey. Evidence excerpt: Any exhibits intended to be introduced into evidence should be appropriately marked, filed and served at least two (2) business days prior to the proceeding through the Odyssey electronic filing system. [East Central Judicial District Reliable Electronic Means Standing Order](https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations/East-Central/REM) Source checked: 2026-08-23 ### recording and devices Scope: courtwide The East Central Judicial District's published remote-proceeding order prohibits photography, video, or audio recording without the judge's prior approval and requires other electronic devices to be turned off. Evidence excerpt: All other electronic devices must be turned off. No photography, videography or audio recording of any kind is permitted without prior approval from the judge. [East Central Judicial District Reliable Electronic Means Standing Order](https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations/East-Central/REM) Source checked: 2026-08-23 ### 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/east-central) - [Official roster](https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations/east-central) - [North Dakota Court System official judicial roster](https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations/east-central) - [East Central Judicial District Reliable Electronic Means Standing Order](https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations/East-Central/REM) - [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) - [Announced judicial service transition](https://www.ndcourts.gov/news/north-dakota/district-courts/judges/judge-mccullough-to-retire) - [Announced judicial service transition](https://www.ndcourts.gov/news/north-dakota/district-courts/judges/judge-mccullough-to-retire) - [North Dakota Court System official judicial roster](https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations/east-central) - [East Central Judicial District Reliable Electronic Means Standing Order](https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations/East-Central/REM) - [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) - [Announced judicial service transition](https://www.ndcourts.gov/news/north-dakota/district-courts/judges/judge-mccullough-to-retire) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/steven-mccullough-nd-ecjd-3", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/steven-mccullough-nd-ecjd-3", "name": "Steven E. 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