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Rojas v. Workforce Safety and Insurance, et al. 2005 ND 147
Docket No.: 20040352
Filing Date: 7/28/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Workers Compensation
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: Before a claimant's continuing workers compensation disability benefits may be terminated, WSI must provide pretermination notice of the contemplated action, a summary of the evidence supporting termination, and a meaningful pretermination opportunity to respond in writing to the alleged grounds for termination.
A notice of intent to discontinue benefits and of the claimant's opportunity to respond sent to the claimant by regular mail is insufficient to guarantee due process when the presumption of receipt under N.D.C.C. 31-11-03(24) has been rebutted and it is determined the claimant never received the notice.

CybrCollect, Inc. v. ND Dept. of Financial Institutions, et al. 2005 ND 146
Docket No.: 20040214
Filing Date: 7/27/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Administrative Proceeding
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: Consumer electronic fund transactions in North Dakota are subject to the Electronic Fund Transfer Act and Regulation E, which was issued by the Federal Reserve Board to carry out the purpose of the Act.
An administrative hearing may not be held unless the parties have been served with a written specification of issues for hearing or other document indicating the issues to be considered and determined at the hearing. Basic notions of fundamental fairness dictate a person challenging an agency action must be adequately informed in advance of the questions to be addressed at the hearing so the person can be prepared to present evidence and arguments on those questions.

Estate of Richmond 2005 ND 145
Docket No.: 20040360
Filing Date: 7/25/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Probate, Wills, Trusts
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: If the evidence presented in opposition to a motion for summary judgment is of insufficient caliber or quantity to allow a rational finder of fact to find fraud by clear and convincing evidence, there is no genuine issue of material fact.
Fraud is never presumed, even under circumstances that give rise to a suspicion of fraud.

Disciplinary Board v. Ward 2005 ND 144
Docket No.: 20050092
Filing Date: 7/25/2005
Case Type: Discipline - Attorney - Original Proceeding
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: Lawyer reprimanded for violation of N.D.R. Prof. Conduct 1.15(f), ordered to pay restitution to former clients, and ordered to pay costs and attorney's fees associated with the disciplinary proceeding.

City of Bismarck v. Judkins 2005 ND 143
Docket No.: 20040370
Filing Date: 7/25/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - DUI/DUS/APC
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: A constitutional error may be declared harmless if the court, after reviewing the entire record, is convinced that the error did not contribute to the verdict.

Bladow v. Bladow 2005 ND 142
Docket No.: 20040315
Filing Date: 7/25/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: Issues that are not raised in pleadings may be tried by the express or implied consent of the parties.
A motion to modify child custody may be made within two years after entry of an order establishing custody when the court finds a persistent and willful denial or interference with visitation.
A party seeking modification of a custody order must establish a prima facie case justifying modification in order to receive an evidentiary hearing.
Split custody of siblings is not preferred.
A trial court has discretion in awarding attorney fees in a domestic relations case.
A trial court errs as a matter of law when it fails to follow the child support guidelines.

Case Credit Corp. v. Oppegard's Inc. 2005 ND 141
Docket No.: 20040369
Filing Date: 7/25/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Contracts
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: Jury instructions do not need to include a definition of a commonly understood word when such a definition has not been requested. Giving a definition of a commonly understood word is a matter of the trial court's discretion.
A jury instruction on issues not raised at trial is erroneous but only constitutes reversible error if the instruction was intended to mislead the jury. A special damages provision controls over a general damages provision.

State v. Ressler 2005 ND 140
Docket No.: 20040327
Filing Date: 7/25/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Drugs/Contraband
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: Reasonable suspicion does not permit law enforcement authorities to transport a seized package from the place where suspicion arose to a law enforcement center for further investigation.
Evidence derived based on an illegal seizure must be suppressed as fruit of the poisonous tree.

Simburger v. Simburger 2005 ND 139
Docket No.: 20050032
Filing Date: 7/25/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: Once an initial custody decision has been made, visitation is governed by N.D.C.C. 14-05-22(2).
A party moving to modify visitation bears the burden of establishing that a material change in circumstances has occurred since the prior visitation order and that it is in the best interest of the child to modify the order.

Interest of B.J.K. (Confidential) 2005 ND 138
Docket No.: 20050025
Filing Date: 7/25/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Juvenile - Termination of Parental Rights
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: A juvenile court's finding of deprivation will not be set aside unless it is clearly erroneous.
In determining whether the causes and conditions of deprivation will continue or will not be remedied, there must be prognostic evidence forming the basis for reasonable prediction of continued or future deprivation.

State v. Jackson 2005 ND 137
Docket No.: 20050072
Filing Date: 7/25/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Sexual Offense
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: When the court dismisses a criminal information on the basis of its legal interpretation of a criminal statute, and not upon resolution of any factual element of the crime charged, the ruling is not a judgment of acquittal but a quashing of the information from which the State has a right to appeal.
When a sexual offender changes employment address, he must register the change with law enforcement within ten days.

GO Committee, et al. v. City of Minot 2005 ND 136
Docket No.: 20040367
Filing Date: 7/20/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: The judiciary's role in reviewing a municipality's interpretation and application of a municipal ordinance is limited by the doctrine of separation of powers to determining whether the municipality clearly abused its discretion.
Ordinances are interpreted like statutes.
Statutory interpretation is a question of law subject to full review upon appeal.

Disciplinary Board v. Sundby (Consolidated w/ 20050189 - 20050194) 2005 ND 135
Docket No.: 20050188
Filing Date: 7/18/2005
Case Type: Discipline - Attorney - Original Proceeding
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Lawyer suspension ordered.

State v. Barth 2005 ND 134
Docket No.: 20050015
Filing Date: 7/15/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Misdemeanor
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: Persistent use of profane and threatening language combined with threatening hand gestures is not constitutionally protected free speech under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
When reviewing challenges to sufficiency of the evidence, the reviewing court examines the record to determine whether there is competent evidence that allowed the jury to draw an inference reasonably tending to prove guilt and fairly warranting a conviction.
A conviction rests upon insufficient evidence only when no rational fact finder could have found the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt after viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution and giving the prosecution the benefit of all inferences reasonably to be drawn in its favor.

Citibank v. Reikowski 2005 ND 133
Docket No.: 20050043
Filing Date: 7/13/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Debtor/Creditor
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: Before accepting and filing an answer, a clerk should require the filing fee be paid or waived, however, if the clerk does not do so, the filing of the answer is not invalidated.

Reineke v. Reineke (cross-ref. w/20030014) 2005 ND 132
Docket No.: 20050006
Filing Date: 7/13/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: An ex-wife's enhanced burden to satisfy marital debt discharged in bankruptcy by her ex-husband is a material change in circumstances warranting a modification of spousal support, and such a modification does not violate U.S. bankruptcy law.

Gonzalez v. Gonzalez 2005 ND 131
Docket No.: 20040374
Filing Date: 7/13/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: Proposed findings prepared by trial counsel become the findings of the court when it affixes its signature to them.
In addressing whether there is evidence of domestic violence that triggers the statutory presumption against the perpetrator receiving custody of a child, the trial court must make specific factual findings and conclusions.
When the trial court decides custody between two fit parents, the court on appeal will not retry the case or substitute its judgment for that of the trial court if there is evidence to support the decision.

Interest of C.H. (CONFIDENTIAL) 2005 ND 130
Docket No.: 20050209
Filing Date: 7/13/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Mental Health
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: A district court's order for involuntary hospitalization must be based on clear and convincing evidence that there is a serious risk the individual will harm himself, others, or property if not hospitalized.

Lee v. Lee 2005 ND 129
Docket No.: 20040184
Filing Date: 7/13/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: A child support amount must be established in accordance with the guidelines.
A spousal support award may be modified upon a showing of a material change in circumstances.
Attorney fees in a divorce action are based on a determination of one party's need and the other party's ability to pay.

Syvertson v. State 2005 ND 128
Docket No.: 20050016
Filing Date: 7/13/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: When establishing a Brady violation, the knowledge of the North Dakota State Hospital is not imputed to the State's Attorney's Office.
Information publicly disseminated in a newspaper article is not newly discovered evidence.

Weinreis, et al. v. Hill, et al. 2005 ND 127
Docket No.: 20040305
Filing Date: 7/13/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Contracts
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: A district court must consider the apparent or ostensible authority of an individual exercising the functions of a corporate officer to bind the corporation to an agreement.

Anderson, et al. v. Selby 2005 ND 126
Docket No.: 20040289
Filing Date: 7/13/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Real Property
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: Parol evidence is admissible in an action to reform a deed when, through a mistake by one party which the other at the time knew of or suspected, the deed does not truly express the parties' intent.
A grantee may not recover attorney fees from a grantor in an action by the grantor to reform a warranty deed.

State v. Hatlewick 2005 ND 125
Docket No.: 20040336
Filing Date: 7/13/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Misdemeanor
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: A conviction is supported by sufficient evidence when a rational fact finder, viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution and giving the prosecution the benefit of all inferences reasonably to be drawn in its favor, is able to determine from the evidence that a defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
A trial court retains jurisdiction to issue a restitution order after a defendant has filed a notice of appeal from the criminal judgment.

State v. Seglen 2005 ND 124
Docket No.: 20040094
Filing Date: 7/13/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Misdemeanor
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: The Fourth Amendment prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures applies only to government action and not to private parties.
Consent is a recognized exception to the warrant requirement, and the State has the burden of proving consent.
A warrantless search of all patrons entering an arena when there is no history of violence or injury is not reasonable and violates the Fourth Amendment.

Ebach v. Ebach 2005 ND 123
Docket No.: 20040306
Filing Date: 7/13/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Divorce - Property
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: Whether a supporting spouse's early retirement constitutes a material change of circumstances to justify a termination or reduction of spousal support depends on the totality of the circumstances.

Guardianship of Barros 2005 ND 122
Docket No.: 20040255
Filing Date: 7/13/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Guardian/Conservator
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: To terminate a voluntary guardianship, a fit parent must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the impediments leading to the creation of the guardianship have been removed.
A rebuttable presumption exists that parental custody is in the best interests of the child.
The guardians must overcome the presumption that parents have a superior right to the custody of their children and prove by a preponderance of the evidence that it is in the child's best interest to continue the guardianship.

State v. Jackson (Consolidated w/20050021) 2005 ND 121
Docket No.: 20050020
Filing Date: 7/13/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - DUI/DUS/APC
Author:

Highlight: Driving under suspension conviction is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2),(3), and (7).

Beaudoin v. South Texas Blood & Tissue Center (Cross-reference w/20030148) 2005 ND 120
Docket No.: 20040356
Filing Date: 6/24/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Personal Injury
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: A nonresident defendant must have sufficient minimum contacts with North Dakota so the exercise of personal jurisdiction does not offend traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice.
Defendants cannot be haled into a jurisdiction solely as a result of random, fortuitous, or attenuated contacts, or from the unilateral activity of a third party.
North Dakota courts may exercise specific personal jurisdiction over nonresident defendants only if they purposefully directed their activities toward North Dakota and the cause of action arises out of or relates to the defendant's activities in the State.
A defendant's conscious and repeated decision to ship a product to North Dakota constitutes sufficient minimum contacts required to ground personal jurisdiction.
Rule 60(b)(i), N.D.R.Civ.P., which establishes grounds for vacating a default judgment, permits relief where a party itself has erred.
A trial court's denial of a motion to vacate a default judgment based on a misinterpretation and misapplication of our law must be reversed as an abuse of discretion.

Disciplinary Board v. Vela 2005 ND 119
Docket No.: 20050173
Filing Date: 6/24/2005
Case Type: Discipline - Attorney - Original Proceeding
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Lawyer suspension ordered.

Riverwood Commercial Park v. Standard Oil Co., Inc., et al. 2005 ND 118
Docket No.: 20040314
Filing Date: 6/22/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Real Property
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: The purpose of the summary eviction statute is to provide an inexpensive, expeditious, and simple means to determine possession of property.
The major distinction between a lease and an easement or license is that a lease confers exclusive use and possession of the property against the world, including the landowner, whereas an easement or license merely grants a right or permission to nonexclusive use of the land for a specific, limited purpose.

Martin v. Stutsman Co. Social Services, et al. 2005 ND 117
Docket No.: 20050019
Filing Date: 6/22/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Administrative Proceeding
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: An administrative agency is bound by its own duly issued regulations. The agency, nevertheless, has a reasonable range of informed discretion in the interpretation and application of its own rules.
Courts generally defer to an agency's reasonable interpretation of its rule when the language is ambiguous or when the language is so technical that only a specialized agency has the experience and expertise to understand it.

Interest of D.A. (CONFIDENTIAL) 2005 ND 116
Docket No.: 20050174
Filing Date: 6/22/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Mental Health
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: An mental health forced treatment order must be supported by evidence that forced medication is clinically appropriate and necessary, that the patient was offered the treatment and refused it, that the prescribed medication is the least restrictive form necessary to meet the individual patient's needs, and that the benefits of the treatment outweigh known risks.

Houn v. Workforce Safety and Insurance, et al. 2005 ND 115
Docket No.: 20050013
Filing Date: 6/22/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Workers Compensation
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: Section 65-05-08(1), N.D.C.C., applies to reapplications for disability benefits after disability benefits previously have been discontinued and does not apply to applications when a claimant has not previously received disability benefits.

Tri-State Ins. Co. of Minnesota v. Commercial Group West, et al. 2005 ND 114
Docket No.: 20050007
Filing Date: 6/22/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Torts (Negligence, Liab., Nuis.)
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: Under a builder's risk insurance policy, a party not expressly named as a co-insured under the policy is protected from subrogation only to the extent that the insurance policy expressly covers the party's property.

Estate of Littlejohn 2005 ND 113
Docket No.: 20040326
Filing Date: 6/22/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Probate, Wills, Trusts
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: The interpretation of an attorney in fact's authority under a power of attorney is generally governed by the rules for construing contracts.

Johnson v. Nodak Mutual Ins. Co. 2005 ND 112
Docket No.: 20040293
Filing Date: 6/22/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Insurance
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: An insurer's payment for an insured's independent medical examination is not a no-fault benefit for purposes of a statute of limitations that requires actions for further benefits to begin no later than four years after the last payment of benefits.
A motion for relief from a judgment may not be used to provide a litigant with a second chance to present new legal theories to a court.

Brandner v. Brandner 2005 ND 111
Docket No.: 20040236
Filing Date: 6/22/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: The trial court must determine net marital worth by considering all property and debt accumulated by the parties.
A court errs as a matter of law if it fails to comply with the child support guidelines in determining an obligor's child support obligation.
A trial court's decision whether to award past child support is discretionary and will not be overturned on appeal unless the court has abused its discretion.

Berlin v. State 2005 ND 110
Docket No.: 20050030
Filing Date: 6/22/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: A court may summarily dismiss a facially invalid application for post-conviction relief.

Disciplinary Board v. Edin (Consolidated w/ 20050011) 2005 ND 109
Docket No.: 20050010
Filing Date: 6/7/2005
Case Type: Discipline - Attorney - Original Proceeding
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Lawyer suspended from the practice of law from the date of his interim suspension to the date this opinion is filed and ordered to pay the costs and attorney's fees for the disciplinary proceeding.

Martin, et al. v. Berg, et al. 2005 ND 108
Docket No.: 20050001
Filing Date: 6/6/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Real Property
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: On appeal from a summary judgment, the Supreme Court decides whether the information available to the trial court precluded the existence of a genuine issue of material fact and entitled the moving party to summary judgment as a matter of law.
Where the language of a will is clear and unambiguous, the testator's intent must be determined from the language of the will.

Estate of Kimbrell (Consolidated w/20040322) 2005 ND 107
Docket No.: 20040226
Filing Date: 6/2/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Probate, Wills, Trusts
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: The surviving spouse of a decedent occupying real property as a homestead receives the right to possession, use, control, income, and rents of the property for life or until the surviving spouse again marries, limited in size and value to the land and the dwelling house, with all its appurtenances and other improvements, not to exceed $80,000 in value, over and above liens and encumbrances.

Klindt, et al. v. Pembina Co. Water Resource Bd., et al. 2005 ND 106
Docket No.: 20040299
Filing Date: 6/2/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Administrative Proceeding
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: Landowners are not required to appeal a water resource board's determination of benefits of a project to the state engineer if the cost of the project is less than $100,000.
A water resource board may find that an entire watershed would be benefited by a snagging and clearing project.
All land that will be benefited by a water project should be assessed the cost of the project.
The participation of a water resource board member who should have been disqualified in establishing a project does not require nullification of the project unless his presence was necessary to constitute a quorum and his vote determined the result.
Successful litigants are not entitled to attorney fees unless authorized by contract or statute.

State v. Driscoll 2005 ND 105
Docket No.: 20040292
Filing Date: 6/2/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Drugs/Contraband
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: A magistrate's probable-cause decision is reviewed using a totality-of-the-circumstances test. A substantial basis for the magistrate's conclusion must exist.
To establish probable cause for a search, there must be a nexus between the place to be searched and the contraband sought, and circumstantial evidence can establish this nexus.
Unsupported and conclusory statements are alone insufficient to establish probable cause.
If an accepted, reasonable theory of probable cause subsequently proves to be untrue or unfounded, it does not retroactively undermine a previously correct conclusion that probable cause to search existed, invalidate a properly issued search warrant, or release a criminal actor from culpability for crimes uncovered during the execution of the search warrant.
In executing a valid search warrant, police may inspect and open any item that could reasonably contain the objects of the search, regardless of whether these items are personal or private or specifically particularized in the search warrant.

People to Save the Sheyenne River v. ND Dept.of Health (CON. w/20040377) 2005 ND 104
Docket No.: 20040376
Filing Date: 6/2/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Administrative Proceeding
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: In the absence of an adjudicative proceeding and findings of fact, appellate review of an administrative agency decision to issue a Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit is to determine whether the decision is arbitrary, capricious, or unreasonable.

City of Grand Forks v. Lamb 2005 ND 103
Docket No.: 20040196
Filing Date: 6/2/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Violation of City Ordinance
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: When a defendant appeals to the district court from a conviction in municipal court, the district court does not review the record and decision of the municipal court, but holds a new trial and independently determines whether the defendant has violated the ordinance.
A notice of appeal filed after the municipal court has announced its decision, but before the entry of the judgment or order, is treated as filed on the date of and after the entry.
When a city has the authority to regulate a certain subject, an ordinance is presumed valid and the burden is upon the party challenging the ordinance to demonstrate how the city exceeded its authority.

Interest of R.F. (CONFIDENTIAL) (cross-ref. w/20030288) 2005 ND 102
Docket No.: 20050148
Filing Date: 6/2/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Mental Health
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: In some situations it may be reasonable for a doctor to conclude that less restrictive alternatives to hospitalization do not exist.
The State Hospital or treatment facility is not required to look outside North Dakota for treatment options other than hospitalization.

Rolette Co. Social Service Bd., et al. v. B.E. (CONFIDENTIAL) 2005 ND 101
Docket No.: 20040357
Filing Date: 6/2/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Paternity
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: A dismissal of an action without prejudice may be final and appealable if it has the practical effect of terminating the litigation in the plaintiff's chosen forum.
The state courts have concurrent subject-matter jurisdiction with the tribal courts to determine a support obligation against an enrolled Indian where parentage is not at issue and the parent against whom support is sought is not residing on the Indian reservation.

R.R. v. G.H. (CONFIDENTIAL) (Cross-ref. w/20040139 & 20040288) 2005 ND 100
Docket No.: 20040325
Filing Date: 6/2/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Contempt of Court
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: District court orders denying a motion to change venue, finding a party in contempt, and awarding $300 paid in bond as reimbursement for costs and expenses are summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(4).

Oliver-Mercer Electric Coop. v. Davis, et al. (Consol. w/20040308)(see Memo) 2005 ND 99
Docket No.: 20040307
Filing Date: 5/25/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Contracts
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: When a secured creditor who fails to give proper notice seeks a deficiency judgment, the fair market value of the collateral is presumed to be equal to the debt.
A secured creditor who fails to properly notify the debtor of a sale of collateral must provide credible evidence from which the trial court can determine the fair market value of the collateral.
A secured creditor's failure to provide credible evidence bars recovery of a deficiency judgment.

ND Human Rights Coalition, et al. v. Bertsch 2005 ND 98
Docket No.: 20040297
Filing Date: 5/17/2005
Case Type: Original Proceeding - Civil - Writ of Mandamus
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: A trial court's decision to certify a class action will not be overturned on appeal unless the court abused its discretion.
A trial court's explanation of its decision to grant a class action certification must be sufficient to enable a reviewing court to understand the basis for the court's decision.