Judge Lolita Hartl Romanick will retire from Northeast Central Judicial District

Aug. 31—GRAND FORKS — Since 2015, Judge Lolita G. Hartl Romanick has enjoyed working with people involved in the justice system and offering hope for their futures.

"It has truly been a privilege and an honor to serve the people in the Grand Forks and Nelson County communities," Hartl Romanick told the Herald.

In November, Hartl Romanick will retire from her position with the Northeast Central Judicial District.

Hartl Romanick graduated from the University of Idaho's School of Law in 1983. From 1984 to 2014, she did private practice work throughout Minot and Grand Forks.

In 2014, when two positions opened in the district, the timing was right. Hartl Romanick was ready for a new challenge.

Hartl Romanick and now-Presiding Judge Don Hager were appointed by Gov. Jack Dalrymple, and they began serving the district in 2015.

Hager believes Hartl Romanick's thoughtfulness will have a lasting impact on the district.

"(She makes) sure that everybody understands what's going on in the court process," Hager said. "She's very good about explaining to people — (she) goes to great lengths to do that."

When sentencing a defendant to probation, Hartl Romanick always takes time to assure them it's not punitive. Instead, probation is an opportunity, she says — probation offers structure and someone to guide them through their next steps.

Another trait she'll be undoubtedly remembered for is how thorough she is in court proceedings, Hager said.

Hartl Romanick is aware of how intimidating the legal process can be, and takes time to ensure everyone understands what's happening, Hartl Romanick said. Otherwise, defendants may automatically give the answers they believe the court wants to hear, without fully comprehending the impact.

"Everyone deserves to understand their rights, and the process," she said.

Hartl Romanick will have court trials right up until her retirement on Nov. 1. Any cases that are still active will then be reassigned to another judge.

The district will meet with the North Dakota Supreme Court to confirm Hartl Romanick's position is vital and needs to be filled. Once that's approved, people will submit applications for the position.

Applicants will go in front of a committee — composed of attorneys, judges and laypeople — and from the pool of applications, the committee will recommend some to be interviewed and appointed by Gov. Doug Burgum.

This happened recently with

Kristi Venhuizen

, who was appointed after a sixth position was added to the district. Venhuizen starts on Sept. 11, and her investiture is on Sept. 26. She'll be picking up smaller cases to get familiar with the court, and will then take over some of Hartl Romanick's cases in November.

Hager hopes Hartl Romanick's position will be filled before the beginning of 2024.

"We won't be able to replace her as far as her character and her experience, but the next person will just have to get that under their belt and earn it," Hager said.