North Dakota Court Granted Dallas Rice Bond Hearing
The Supreme Court ruled that a Minot defendant can withdraw his guilty plea after his initial deal was rejected by a judge.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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The North Dakota Supreme Court ruled that Dallas Rice, who is accused of stealing money from a local archery club, may withdraw his guilty plea and receive a bond hearing. The decision followed the rejection of a previous plea deal by the lower court.
Why it matters
The ruling addresses whether defendants are entitled to reconsider their legal standing after a judge rejects a negotiated plea agreement. It forces the lower court to re-evaluate whether the defendant should remain in custody while awaiting further proceedings.
The North Dakota Supreme Court ordered the lower court to allow a plea withdrawal and conduct a bond hearing to evaluate release factors. Dallas Rice remains in custody at the Ward County Jail while awaiting a status conference.
The players
Dallas Rice
He is a defendant facing charges of conspiracy to commit theft from a Minot-area archery club.
Gary Lee
He is a judge who previously refused to accept the proposed plea deal offered to the defendant.
Nichole Rice
She is a co-defendant who pleaded guilty to charges related to the theft in September 2026.
The details
Prosecutors allege that Dallas and Nichole Rice stole more than $180,000 from the Souris Valley Bowmen over a three-year period. After Judge Gary Lee refused to accept the initial plea deal, the high court determined the lower court erred by remanding the defendant without assessing proper release factors.
Timeline
Nichole Rice pleaded guilty in September 2026.
The North Dakota Supreme Court issued its ruling on October 14, 2026.
A status conference for Dallas Rice is set for Friday, October 16, 2026.
Nichole Rice is scheduled to begin her 60-day sentence in January 2027.
Legal Context
This case highlights the procedural mechanisms for plea withdrawals under North Dakota Rules of Criminal Procedure. It underscores how the judiciary manages the balance between judicial discretion and a defendant's right to re-evaluate their plea when a deal is denied.
This ruling establishes the current legal status for a high-profile local theft case involving a community archery club. Residents and local business owners affected by the alleged theft may monitor the upcoming status conference for further developments in the ongoing prosecution.
The takeaway
The court's decision reinforces the importance of proper bail evaluations even when a defendant has previously entered a guilty plea. It serves as a reminder that legal negotiations remain fluid until a judge officially accepts a plea agreement.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings in the area, visit the Criminal Justice section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kfyrtv.
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