Todd Cresap

North Central Judicial District Court Judge Todd Cresap has announced he will retire July 17.

Cresap noted in a letter to Gov. Kelly Armstrong that it was an honor to serve both the people of the Northwest and North Central Districts since his appointment by Gov. John Hoeven in 2009. However, Cresap said he approached his retirement with mixed emotions.

“I have always tried to be mindful of the breadth and the depth of the authority given all District Court Judges in this state when exercising this enormous responsibility and the potential impact it has on people. However, I also believe it is time for a fresh set of eyes and someone with a new perspective to take over this position,” Cresap wrote in his letter to the governor.

Born in 1961, Cresap is a native of Valley City. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Minot State University in 1983 and received his Juris Doctor from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 1986.

Prior to his appointment to the bench, Cresap practiced law privately in Minot for more than two decades. He was subsequently elected to the position in 2012 and re-elected in 2016 and 2022.

“I have every confidence that you will be able to find someone who far exceeds my abilities as a judge. I only hope this person also appreciates the degree of the impact they will have on people’s lives,” Cresap’s letter concluded.