Alaska Court System Legal Resources

Court of Appeals

• Standing Order No. 14
  Interpreting AS 22.20.020(a)(8).
• Standing Order No. 13
  Authorizing the Electronic Filing of Pleadings and the Electronic Distribution of Notices and Orders.
• Court of Appeals Standing Order 12 is rescinded, effective January 1, 2025. Motions for extension of time to file briefs in the Court of Appeals must comply with the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
  Standing Order No. 12
  Relating to Extensions of Time for Filing Briefs in the Court of Appeals.
• Standing Order No. 11
  Requiring Court of Appeals Litigants who File Pleadings by a Method Other Than Physically Delivering Them to the Anchorage Courthouse to Promptly Notify the Appellate Court Clerk’s Office.
• Standing Order No. 10
  Exempting Court of Appeals Litigants from Appellate Rule 503(b)(5)’s Requirement that all Motions be Accompanied by a Proposed Order.
• Standing Order No. 9
  Order Giving Immediate Effect to Court of Appeals Decisions in Bail Appeals.
• Standing Order No. 7
  Relating to Voluntary Dismissals of Appeals.
• Standing Order No. 3
  Guidelines for Publication of Court of Appeals Decisions.

The following orders are selected Presiding Judge Orders, and other standing orders of the trial courts, listed either as statewide orders, or by judicial district. Some orders affect all courts in the district; some orders affect only certain court locations within the district. There are four judicial districts. See Alaska courts listed by judicial district for the court locations in each district.

Statewide Orders

• Presiding Judges' Administrative Orders - Remote and In-Person Presumptive Hearing Formats.
  • SCO 2012
  • First Judicial District - PJAO 23-02 dated November 14, 2023
  • Second Judicial District - PJAO 24-01 dated January 23, 2024
  • Third Judicial District - (not yet available)
  • Fourth Judicial District - PJAO 23-10 dated November 15, 2023
• Presiding Judges' Statewide Order Procedure for Correction of Clerical Mistakes in Criminal Judgments Within 6 Months of Distribution by the Court dated April 30, 2025
  Superseding Presiding Judges’ Statewide Order Regarding the Procedure for the Department of Public Safety to Bring Judgment Errors to the Court’s Attention.
• Presiding Judges' Statewide Order Vacating the August 20, 2024 Standing Order Governing the Procedure and Notice of General Caseload Reassignments dated April 25, 2025
• Presiding Judges' Statewide Order Alaska Court System Guardianship Mentoring & Monitoring Program dated August 20, 2024
• ** AMENDED ** Presiding Judges' Statewide Order Statewide Restorative Justice Procedures in Criminal Proceedings dated August 16, 2024
• Presiding Judges' Statewide Order On Use of Cameras and Electronic Devices in Common Areas of Court Facilities dated July 24, 2023
• Presiding Judges' Statewide Order Vacating Presiding Judges’ Statewide, Covid-Related Orders dated June 1, 2023
• Presiding Judges' Statewide Order Establishing a Statewide Misdemeanor Bail Schedule dated April 13, 2023
• Presiding Judges' Statewide Order Use of Cameras and Electronic Devices in Common Areas of Court Facilities dated March 14, 2023
• ** SECOND AMENDED ** Presiding Judges' Statewide Order On The Protocol For Photographing, Recording, Or Streaming A Court Proceeding In Court Locations Where Social Distancing Is Required dated May 19, 2022
• ** AMENDED ** Presiding Judges' Statewide Order Media Coverage of Court Proceedings dated April 11, 2022
• ** AMENDED ** Order Vacating Presiding Judges' Statewide Standing Order Governing SB 91 Technical Petitions to Revoke Probation dated December 14, 2021
• ** AMENDED ** Presiding Judges' Statewide Consolidation and Venue Order: Redistricting Challenges dated December 14, 2021
• Presiding Judges' Administrative Order: Redistricting Challenges dated November 19, 2021
• Presiding Judges' Administrative Order: Governing Determination of Criminal Rule 45 dated August 4, 2021
• Presiding Judges' Administrative Order: Waiver of Fees by the Family Law Self-Help Center in Family Law Cases dated June 30, 2021
• Amended Second Temporary Presiding Judges' Administrative Order Establishing a Statewide Misdemeanor Bail Schedule dated February 16, 2021
• Presiding Judge Administrative Order: Establishing a Statewide Bail Schedule effective February 1, 2020
• Presiding Judge Administrative Order: Governing In-Custody Defendant Transports dated December 11 & 12, 2018
  (Paragraphs 6 and 7(a) of this order are no longer in effect. Contact the Court Rules Attorney for more information.)
• Uniform Administrative Order: Establishing a Statewide Central Calendaring Judge for Criminal Rule 35.1 Cases Assigned to Certain Public Defender Agency/Office of Public Advocacy Counsel effective February 15, 2017
• Presiding Judge Standing Order: Governing SB 91 Technical Petitions to Revoke Probation dated January 6 & 7, 2017
• Presiding Judge Administrative Order: Establishing Statewide Procedures for Telephonic Participation in CINA Proceedings effective July 1, 2016
• Uniform Administrative Order: Establishing Procedures for Mental Commitment Cases effective December 7, 2012
• Uniform Administrative Order: Establishing Procedures for Felony Petitions to Revoke Probation (Including "Out-of-Town Petitions"), amended effective October 15, 2012 (original effective date November 15, 2010)
  • Attachment: Lists of Felony PTRP Filing Locations (1-15-2013)
  • Memo re Revised PJ Order (1-15-2013)
  • INSTRUCTIONS: When Felony PTRP Jurisdiction Transfers (6-10-2013)
• Uniform Administrative Order: Establishing a Statewide Policy of Making In-Custody Arraignments Available Within 24 Hours of Arrest effective July 1, 2011

First Judicial District

• Presiding Judge Administrative Order 25-01 dated April 11, 2025
  Standing Superior Court Criminal Scheduling Order.
• Presiding Judge Administrative Order 23-02 dated November 14, 2023
  Remote and In-Person Presumptive Hearing Formats.
• Presiding Judge Administrative Order 23-01 dated May 4, 2023
  Vacating First District Presiding Judge Administrative Orders Related to the Covid-19 Pandemic.
• Presiding Judge Administrative Order 21-33 dated December 16, 2021
  Criminal Rule 5 Extension.
• Presiding Judge Administrative Order 20-05 dated October 15, 2020
  The Filing of Exhibits in All Teleconference and Videoconference Hearings in Superior and District Court Civil Cases.
• Presiding Judge Administrative Order 20-02 dated March 20, 2020
  Processing Electronic Documents.
• Administrative Order 18-01 effective June 4, 2018
  Domestic Relations Standing Order
• Administrative Order 15-01 (Amended) effective April 1, 2015
  Order regarding filing and distribution of documents by electronic mail in the First Judicial District.
• Administrative Order 12-02 effective November 1, 2012
  Order regarding faxed pleadings in all cases filed in the First Judicial District.

Second Judicial District

• Presiding Judge Administrative Order 24-01 dated January 23, 2024
  Remote and In-Person Criminal Hearings.
• Presiding Judge Administrative Order 23-01 dated November 14, 2023
  Withdrawal and Substitution of Court-Appointed Counsel in Criminal Matters.
• Presiding Judge Administrative Order 22-04 dated March 1, 2022
  Transfer of Cases from Not Assigned 2BA to Magistrate Judge Colleen Baxter.
• Presiding Judge Administrative Order 22-03 dated January 31, 2022
  Transfer of Cases from Judge Nelson Traverso to Judge David Roghair.
  Transfer of Cases from Magistrate Judge David Roghair to Not Assigned 2BA.
• Standing Felony Pretrial Orders,
  • Kotzebue dated January 24, 2022
  • Nome dated October 29, 2024
  • Utqiagvik dated January 24, 2022
• Standing Misdemeanor Pretrial Orders
  • Kotzebue dated January 24, 2022
  • Nome dated October 29, 2024
  • Utqiagvik dated January 24, 2022
• Presiding Judge Administrative Order 21-05 dated July 12, 2021
  Order Reducing Unalakleet Court Operating Hours
• Presiding Judge Administrative Order 21-04 dated February 19, 2021
  Standing Order in Domestic Relations Cases
• Administrative Order 19-02 dated October 9, 2019
  Referring Cases to Tribal Restorative Justice Programs Under Cr 11(i) And Dl 23(f)
• Administrative Order 17-01 effective June 12, 2017
  Order Regarding Documents Filed by Electronic Mail
• Administrative Order 98-04 effective September 1, 1998
  Order regarding faxed pleadings in all cases filed in the Second Judicial District.
  
  • Utqiagvik (formerly Barrow) Trial Courts: Standing Order Regarding Faxed Pleadings effective June 17, 1998
  • Kotzebue Trial Court: Order Regarding Fax Filing Procedures dated September 20, 2010
  • Nome Trial Court: Order Regarding Fax Filing Procedure dated June 22, 2010

Third Judicial District

• ** AMENDED ** Administrative Order 3AN-AO-25-07 dated May 22, 2025
  Transfer of Cases from Not Assigned 3PA-03 to Judge Patrick J. McKay Jr.
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-25-06 dated May 22, 2025
  Transfer of Cases from 3KO-Not Assigned to Judge Colleen Baxter.
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-25-04 dated May 22, 2025
  Transfer of Cases from Judge Kevin Saxby to Judge Josie Garton.
• PJ Order #1063 dated May 21, 2025
  Palmer Court Trial Priority.
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-25-03 dated April 24, 2025
  Transfer of Cases from 3PA Not Assigned 01 to Judge Glenn J. Shidner.
• ** AMENDED ** PJ Order #1062 dated April 17, 2025
  Felony Pretrial Order - All Criminal Matters Pending in Palmer Superior Court.
• ** AMENDED ** PJ Order #1051 dated February 27, 2025
  Order Regarding In Person Hearings in Anchorage District Court.
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-24-13 dated January 2, 2025
  Transfer of Cases from Not Assigned 3PA01 to Judge Leslie Dickson.
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-24-10 dated July 26, 2024
  Transfer of Cases from Not Assigned 3PA02 to Judge Tom V. Jamgochian.
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-24-09 dated July 9, 2024
  Transfer of Seward Civil, Probate and CINA cases from Judge Lance Joanis to Judge Jason Gist and Transfer of Seward Criminal case from Judge Jason Gist to Judge Lance Joanis.
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-24-08 dated June 4, 2024
  Transfer of Cases from Judge Kevin Saxby to Judge Jack McKenna.
• PJ Order #1010 dated April 18, 2024
  Order Regarding Transport of In-Custody Defendants for Anchorage Pre-Indictment Hearings
• PJ Order #1009 dated April 18, 2024
  Order Regarding Off-Record Continuances of Anchorage Pre-Indictment Hearings
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-24-06 dated March 13, 2024
  Pre-Indictment Hearings Start Time Change.
• ** AMENDED ** PJ Order #1006 dated February 14, 2024
  Anchorage Superior Court Felony Pre-Trial Order
• Administrative Order effective February 7, 2024
  Palmer - Misdemeanor Pre-Trial Order
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-24-05 dated February 8, 2024
  Order Re: Anchorage Pre-Indictment Hearing Calendar.
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-24-04 dated January 31, 2024
  Order Re: Anchorage District Court Pretrial Conference Continuances.
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-24-03 dated January 31, 2024
  Order Re: Setting Anchorage District Court Out-Of-Custody Change of Plea Hearings.
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-24-02 dated January 26, 2024
  Order Re Anchorage District Court Change of Plea Hearing Documents - State of Alaska Cases.
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-24-01 dated January 26, 2024
  Order Regarding Filing of State Charging Documents.
• DPJ Order #23-1 dated December 20, 2023
  Kenai District Court Arraignments and Preliminary Hearings.
• PJ Order #971 dated June 19, 2023
  The Restoration of the Number of Members of Kenai and Palmer Grand Jury Panels.
• PJ Order #970 dated June 19, 2023
  The Restoration of the Number of Members of Anchorage Grand Jury Panels.
• Kenai/Homer/Seward Standing Misdemeanor Pretrial Order dated March 6, 2023
• Kenai-Homer-Seward Domestic Relations Preliminary Pretrial Order dated March 1, 2023
  Domestic Relations Initial Order: applies to new cases filed in the Kenai Superior Court after March 1, 2023.
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-23-02 dated January 25, 2023
  Transfer of Cases from Judge Eric Aarseth to Judge Peter R. Ramgren.
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-22-10 dated December 29, 2022
  Transfer of Sand Point Cases from Judge Josie Garton to Judge Kari McCrea.
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-22-09 dated December 15, 2022
  Transfer of Cases from Judge Erin B. Marston to Judge Jack R. McKenna and Judge McKenna to 3AN02 Not Assigned.
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-22-06 dated August 2, 2022
  Transfer of Cases from Judge Gregory A. Miller to Judge Ian Wheeles.
• Presiding Judge Order #926 dated May 22, 2022
  The Reassignment of Public Guardians.
• Presiding Judge Order #923 dated March 14, 2022
  Palmer Jury Trials.
• Presiding Judge Order #921 dated January 25, 2022
  Palmer Grand Jury Cases.
• Presiding Judge Order #918 dated January 4, 2022
  The Suspension of Jury Trials and Grand Jury in Palmer.
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-21-05 dated Jul 22, 2021
  Transfer of Cases from Judge Jennifer Henderson to Judge Frank Pfiffner, Pro Tempore.
• ** AMENDED ** Presiding Judge's Order 824 effective July 1, 2021
  The Filing of Charges of Violating Conditions of Release or Failure to Appear.
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-21-04 dated April 28, 2021
  Transfer of Cases from Judge William L. Estelle to Not Assigned 3PA03.
• ** CORRECTED ** Administrative Order 3AN-AO-20-12 dated November 3, 2020
  Use of Cameras and Electronic Devices in Third Judicial District Court Buildings.
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-20-11 dated September 2, 2020
  Transfer of Cases from Not Assigned 3PA02 to Judge Thomas Jamgochian.
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-20-10 dated July 20, 2020
  Transfer of Cases from Unassigned 3AN02 to Judge Adolf Zeman.
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-20-04 dated May 12, 2020
  Transfer of Cases from Judge Eric Aarseth to Unassigned 3AN02 and from Judge Michael Wolverton to Judge Eric Aarseth.
• Presiding Judge's Order 846 dated March 13, 2020
  Response to COVID-19 Pandemic.
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-20-03 dated January 30, 2020
  Transfer of Cordova Cases from Judge Eric Aarseth to Judge Rachel Ahrens;
  Transfer of Valdez and Glennallen Cases from Judge Patrick McKay to Judge Rachel Ahrens, and
  Transfer of Unassigned Valdez, Glennallen and Cordova Cases to Judge Rachel Ahrens
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-20-01 dated January 21, 2020 nunc pro tunc January 6, 2020
  Transfer of Cases From Judge John W. Wolfe to Judge Shawn D. Traini.
• Presiding Judge's Order 823 effective October 1, 2019
  The Resolution of Replaced Charges.
• Administrative Order 3KN-AO-19-2 dated October 1, 2019
  The Homer, Kenai, and Seward courts will no longer accept "Notice of Unavailability" for filing, effective immediately.
• Administrative Order 3KN-AO-19-1 dated September 30, 2019
  Use of Cameras and Electronic Devices at the Kenai Courthouse.
• ** Amended ** Presiding Judge's Order 773 dated August 28, 2019
  Anchorage Superior Court Felony Pre-Trial Order.
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-19-09 effective August 26, 2019
  Transfer of Cases From Judge Motyka to Judge Nesbett.
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-19-08 effective August 16, 2019
  Transfer of Cases From Not Assigned 3AN02 to Judge Peter R. Ramgren.
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-19-07 effective July 1, 2019
  Transfer of District Homer Cases from Judge Margaret Murphy to Acting District Court Judge Suzanne Cole.
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-19-06 effective July 1, 2019
  Order Transferring Sand Point Cases.
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-19-05 effective July 1, 2019
  Transfer of Superior Court Cases from Judge Steve W. Cole and Not Assigned 3KO to Judge Stephen B. Wallace.
• Kenai Standing Pretrial Order dated June 17, 2019
  Standing Misdemeanor Pretrial Order
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-19-04 effective May 31, 2019
  Transfer of Superior Court Cases from Not Assigned 3PA 02 to Judge Kristen C. Stohler.
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-19-03 (supercedes 3AN-AO-01-11) effective April 18, 2019
  Use of Cameras and Electronic Devices In Third Judicial District Court Buildings.
• Amended Standing Order Re: Telephonic Participation dated February 21, 2019
  Order regarding procedures for telephonic participation in Kenai Court hearings.
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-18-04 (supercedes 3AN -AO-12-06) dated June 20, 2018
  Domestic Relations Initial Order and Order to File Financial Documents: applies to new cases filed in the Alaska Superior Court at Anchorage after June 20, 2018.
• Presiding Judge's Order 738 dated December 6, 2017
  Anchorage Pre-Indictment Hearing Continuance Procedures.
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-13-08 dated August 28, 2013
  Order transferring Sand Point cases.
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-10-01 dated January 26, 2010
  Order regarding on-line parent education in domestic relations cases with children.
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-09-14 dated December 16, 2009
  Order amending Initial Pretrial Order referenced on page 1 of the Uniform Pretrial Order issued February, 2003 (3AO-03-04 Amended). Applies to civil cases filed in the Alaska Superior Court at Anchorage, except domestic relations.
• Administrative Order 3AN-AO-09-05 dated March 20, 2009
  Order regarding faxed pleadings in all cases filed in the Kenai, Seward, and Homer Courts.
• Administrative Order 3AO-03-04 (Amended) effective March 3, 2003
  Uniform Pretrial Order applying to any and all civil cases filed in the Alaska Superior Court at Anchorage, except domestic relations, in which a trial is set after March 3, 2003. See also Administrative Order 3AO-09-14.

Fourth Judicial District

• Administrative Order effective March 18, 2024
  Transfer of Cases to Judge William T. Montgomery.
• Administrative Order effective December 18, 2023
  Transfer of Cases to Pro Tem Judge Nelson Traverso.
• Presiding Judge's Standing Order 23-10 dated November 15, 2023
  Remote and In-Person Hearings.
• Presiding Judge's Standing Order 23-09 dated November 3, 2023 ** Replaces PJO 21-11 **
  Misdemeanor Criminal Trial Management.
• Presiding Judge's Standing Order 23-08 dated November 3, 2023
  Felony Criminal Trial Management.
• Presiding Judge's Administrative Order 23-07 dated September 15, 2023
  Permitting Cash Bail to be Posted by Money Order Unless Otherwise Ordered.
• Administrative Order effective August 9, 2023
  Transfer of Cases to Judge Amy K. Welch.
• Presiding Judge's Administrative Order 23-04 dated April 27, 2023
  Simplified Email Filing procedures in Child in Need of Aid Matters.
• Presiding Judge's Administrative Order 22-05 dated August 11, 2022
  The Filing of Charges for Violating Conditions of Release.
• Administrative Order effective August 1, 2022
  Transfer of Cases to Judge Kirk F. Schwalm.
• Order of Appointment dated April 14, 2022
  Appointment of Brent Bennett as Acting Presiding Judge.
• Presiding Judge's Administrative Order 22-04 dated April 13, 2022
  Rural Court Trials and Hearings Without Social Distancing.
• Presiding Judge's Administrative Order 22-03 dated April 12, 2022
  Hearings Shall Not Be Scheduled Between 8:00-9:00am On Wednesdays.
• Presiding Judge's Administrative Order 22-01 effective January 12, 2022
  Order to Vacate Presiding Judge Order 21-12 Interior Rural District Court Criminal Case Management Order.
• Presiding Judge's Administrative Order 21-14 dated August 26, 2021
  Withdrawal and Substitution of Court-Appointed Counsel in Criminal Matters
• Presiding Judge's Administrative Order 21-12 effective August 16, 2021
  District Court Criminal Case Management at Delta Junction, Fort Yukon, Galena, Nenana and Tok.
• Presiding Judge's Administrative Order 21-11 effective July 1, 2021
  Fairbanks District Court Criminal Case Management Order.
• Administrative Order effective June 29, 2021
  Transfer of Cases from Judge Melony P. Lockwood to Judge Maria P. Bahr.
• Administrative Order effective April 30, 2021
  Transfer of Cases from Judge Michael P. McConahy to Judge Patricia L. Haines.
• Amended Presiding Judge's Standing Order 17-03 dated October 1, 2020
  Order governing child in need of aid cases in the Fourth Judicial District.
• Administrative Order effective September 1, 2020
  Transfer of Cases from Judge Patrick S. Hammers to Acting District Court Judge Melony P. Lockwood.
• Presiding Judge Administrative Order 19-02 | Presiding Judge's Amendment to Administrative Order 19-02
  effective September 1, 2019
  Documents Filed by Electronic Mail.
• Administrative Order effective March 1, 2019
  Transfer of all Cases from Judge Olsen to Judge Kauvar.
• Administrative Order effective January 1, 2019
  Transfer of all Cases from Judge Harbison to Judge Olsen.
• Presiding Judge's Standing Order 18.4 effective September 9, 2018
  Order regarding appointment of conflict counsel in Fairbanks cases.
• Presiding Judge's Standing Preliminary Injunction and Order in Divorce Cases With Children and Child Custody Cases dated May 9, 2018
  Order applying to divorce cases with children and child custody cases filed in the Alaska Superior Court at Fairbanks.
• Presiding Judge's Standing Order 14-03 effective September 22, 2014
  Order regarding documents filed by electronic mail in the Aniak, Bethel, Delta Junction, Emmonak, Fort Yukon, Galena, Hooper Bay, Nenana, St. Mary's, and Tok courts.
• Presiding Judge's Standing Preliminary Injunction and Order in Divorce Cases Without Children dated April 22, 2010
  Order applying to divorce cases without children filed in the Alaska Superior Court at Fairbanks.
• Presiding Judge's Standing Order 99.1 effective March 8, 1999
  Order regarding faxed pleadings in all cases filed in Aniak, Chevak, Emmonak and St. Mary's courts.
• Presiding Judge's Standing Order 98.3 effective March 8, 1999
  Order regarding faxed pleadings in all cases filed in Galena, McGrath, Healy, Nenana, Tanana, Fort Yukon, Delta Junction and Tok courts.