Governor Armstrong Appoints Andrew Eyre to Northeast Central Judicial District Judgeship

Governor Kelly Armstrong has appointed Andrew Eyre, an experienced prosecutor with over a decade of service in the Grand Forks County State’s Attorney’s Office, to the bench of the Northeast Central Judicial District. The appointment becomes effective August 29.

Eyre, who has served as Assistant State’s Attorney for Grand Forks County since 2013, currently leads the office’s personal crimes team, overseeing four prosecutors handling some of the most sensitive and complex cases, including domestic violence, sexual abuse, internet crimes, and offenses against children.

“Andrew Eyre brings to the bench a deep commitment to justice, a wealth of trial experience, and a strong connection to the Grand Forks community,” said Governor Armstrong. “His background in both prosecution and community advocacy will serve the citizens of the Northeast Central Judicial District well.”

Eyre’s appointment fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge John A. Thelen, who will step down on August 1 after a decade on the bench. The judgeship is chambered in Grand Forks and serves both Grand Forks and Nelson counties.

A native of Wausau, Wisconsin, Eyre earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse and his Juris Doctor from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 2013. He has conducted approximately 40 trials and 30 appeals before the North Dakota Supreme Court.

Outside the courtroom, Eyre has remained active in legal education and community service. He served as an adjunct faculty member with UND Law’s Moot Court program in 2014 and 2015 and currently serves on the Community Violence Intervention Center (CVIC) Civil Issues Committee. He was recognized in 2023 with the Jim Vigness Peacekeeper of the Year Award for his dedication to victim advocacy.

“I’m honored by the opportunity to serve the people of this district as a district court judge,” Eyre said in a statement. “I’ve spent my career working to protect victims and uphold justice in this community, and I look forward to continuing that work from the bench with fairness, integrity, and a strong sense of duty.”

Eyre was selected from a pool of four finalists reviewed by the North Dakota Judicial Nominating Committee. He will be sworn in later this summer and begin presiding over cases this fall.

By: DNU staff