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Interest of A.B. (CONFIDENTIAL) 2003 ND 98
Docket No.: 20020309
Filing Date: 6/17/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Juvenile - Termination of Parental Rights
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: A juvenile court does not reversibly err in reversing a judicial referee's recommendation where the record before the juvenile court includes the undisputed factual matters necessary for resolution of the case and the issues involved in the case are legal issues.
Under the Indian Child Welfare Act, good cause not to transfer a child custody proceeding to tribal court exists if the proceeding is at an advanced stage when the petition to transfer is received, or if the evidence to decide the case cannot be adequately presented in the tribal court without undue hardship to the parties or the witnesses.
The Indian Child Welfare Act does not violate the substantive due process rights or equal protection rights of an Indian child.

Cue v. State 2003 ND 97
Docket No.: 20030013
Filing Date: 6/17/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: A court is required to give a criminal defendant, upon sentencing, credit for all time spent in custody as a result of the criminal charge or conduct for which the sentence is being imposed.
A defendant has the burden of showing he is entitled to additional sentence credit for time served in custody.

Peters-Riemers v. Riemers 2003 ND 96
Docket No.: 20020225
Filing Date: 6/17/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: A moot issue will be determined if the controversy is one of great public interest and involves the authority and power of public officials or if the matter is capable of repetition, yet evading review.
An appeal does not stay proceedings for enforcement of a judgment.
An indigent pro se defendant in a privately-initiated contempt proceeding must be informed of the right to court-appointed counsel when a remedial contempt sanction includes the likelihood of incarceration.

Boser v. Hanson, et al. 2003 ND 95
Docket No.: 20020206
Filing Date: 6/17/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Torts (Negligence, Liab., Nuis.)
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: Jury instructions must fairly and adequately inform the jury of the applicable law.
A trial court may properly refuse to submit an inapplicable or irrelevant instruction to the jury.
Except as otherwise provided, N.D.C.C. 39-24-09 prohibits operating a snowmobile on a street or highway except while crossing a street or highway encountered as an obstacle to be overcome, rather than in its intended purpose of transportation along it.

Spath v. State (cross-ref. w/990302 & 970230) 2003 ND 94
Docket No.: 20030022
Filing Date: 6/17/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Denial of an application for post-conviction relief is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2).

Marcotte's Builders Supply v. Strobel, et al. 2003 ND 93
Docket No.: 20020354
Filing Date: 6/17/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Contracts
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Judgment in a home construction contract dispute is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2).

Haugenoe, et al. v. Bambrick, et al. 2003 ND 92
Docket No.: 20020252
Filing Date: 6/6/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Malpractice
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: If, in a medical malpractice case, the alleged malpractice is beyond the understanding of a layperson, an expert opinion must be obtained within three months of the commencement of the action to support the allegation of medical malpractice.
Issues not briefed by an appellant are deemed abandoned.
The requirement of obtaining an expert opinion within three months of the commencement of a medical malpractice action does not apply to informed consent claims.

Northern Plains Alliance, L.L.C. v. Mitzel, et al. 2003 ND 91
Docket No.: 20020324
Filing Date: 6/3/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Contracts
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: When parties enter an agreement for the sale of property which is expressly subject to a right of first refusal by a third party, the contract is conditional and becomes binding on the seller only if the right of first refusal is not exercised.
Acceptance of an option for the sale of land within the time allowed and according to its terms converts the option into a binding executory contract of sale.

Sonsthagen v. Sprynczynatyk 2003 ND 90
Docket No.: 20020297
Filing Date: 6/5/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Department of Transportation
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: For a law enforcement officer to testify about the results of a sobriety test, the proper foundation to be established is evidence of the officer's training and experience in administering the test and evidence that the test was properly administered.
Probable cause to arrest for driving under the influence of drugs exists when an officer: 1) observes signs of a driver's physical or mental impairment; and 2) has reason to believe the impairment is caused by drugs.

State v. Corum 2003 ND 89
Docket No.: 20020230
Filing Date: 6/5/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Drugs/Contraband
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: Illegally obtained evidence cannot be the basis for a magistrate's finding of probable cause to support a search warrant.
To challenge a search warrant on the basis that police intentionally omitted relevant information when applying for the warrant, the defendant must show that probable cause would not have existed if the omitted information had been provided to the magistrate.
Failure to inform a magistrate about an informant's criminal history and pending criminal charges is not fatal to the validity of a search warrant.

K.L.B., et al. v. S.B. (CONFIDENTIAL) 2003 ND 88
Docket No.: 20030034
Filing Date: 6/3/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Paternity
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: The court can vacate a default judgment when circumstances justify it under a properly raised motion for relief from the judgment under N.D.R.Civ.P. 60(b).
Under N.D.C.C. 14-17-10 the district court is required to order genetic tests only if the request for tests is made when proceedings are pending to adjudicate parentage under the chapter.

Ramey v. Twin Butte School Dist. 2003 ND 87
Docket No.: 20020342
Filing Date: 6/3/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: To establish a prima facie case of discrimination for failure-to-hire under the North Dakota Human Rights Act, a plaintiff must show: (1) she is a member of a protected class under the Human Rights Act; (2) she sought and was qualified for the position; (3) she suffered an adverse employment decision; and (4) others not in the protected class were treated more favorably.

Trinity Health v. North Central Emergency Services 2003 ND 86
Docket No.: 20020317
Filing Date: 6/3/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Contracts
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: Whether a contract has been substantially performed and whether a party has breached a contract are questions of fact.
When there has been a motion for summary judgment, but no cross-motion, the court already is engaged in determining if a genuine issue of material fact exists, the parties have been given an opportunity to present evidence to support or refute the request, and summary judgment may be rendered in favor of the party opposing the motion without a formal cross- motion.

Fercho v. Remmick 2003 ND 85
Docket No.: 20020286
Filing Date: 6/3/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: An appellate court decides the threshold issue of mootness before reaching the merits of an appeal.
An appeal is moot if an appellate court is unable to render effective relief due to the lapse of time, or the occurrence of an event before the appellate court renders its decision.
An appeal will be dismissed if the issue becomes moot and there is no actual controversy to be decided.

Matter of Garrison State Bank and Trust 2003 ND 84
Docket No.: 20020341
Filing Date: 6/3/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: If the party moving for summary judgment meets its initial burden of showing the absence of a genuine issue of material fact, the nonmoving party may not rely on mere allegations, but must present competent evidence by affidavit or other comparable means creating a material factual dispute.

State v. Moore 2003 ND 83
Docket No.: 20020305
Filing Date: 5/3/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Sexual Offense
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: The right to appeal and the deadline for filing an appeal are statutory.
A defendant may not appeal the dismissal of a charge without prejudice.

Disciplinary Board v. Giese 2003 ND 82
Docket No.: 20020315
Filing Date: 6/3/2003
Case Type: Discipline - Attorney - Original Proceeding
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: An attorney is suspended from the practice of law and ordered to pay costs and restitution for violating N.D.R. Prof. Conduct 1.8, 3.1, 3.2, and 8.4(e) and N.D.R. Lawyer Discipl. 1.2(a)(3).
The prohibition of transactions between an attorney and a client continues as long as the influence arising from the attorney-client relationship continues.
An attorney's prior advice to seek independent counsel for a prohibited transaction does not govern a subsequent variation of that transaction.
An attorney is an officer of the court and may be disciplined for conduct as a litigant in a civil action.

State v. Fields 2003 ND 81
Docket No.: 20020269
Filing Date: 6/3/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Drugs/Contraband
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: During an investigatory stop of a vehicle, a traffic violator can be temporarily detained until the legitimate investigative purposes of the traffic stop have been completed.
Once the legitimate purposes of a traffic stop are completed, a continued seizure of a traffic violator violates the Fourth Amendment unless the officer has a reasonable and articulable suspicion to believe that criminal activity is afoot.

Weninger v. Grzeskowiak 2003 ND 80
Docket No.: 20030009
Filing Date: 5/3/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Disorderly conduct restraining order is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(4).

Hoffner, et al. v. Johnson, et al. 2003 ND 79
Docket No.: 20020208
Filing Date: 5/12/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Malpractice
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: The six-year statute of repose for medical malpractice actions under N.D.C.C. 28-01-18(3) does not violate equal protection.
For equitable estoppel precluding application of a statute of limitation or repose, the plaintiff must show affirmative deception by the defendant.

Morton Co. Social Service Bd. v. Hakanson 2003 ND 78
Docket No.: 20020278
Filing Date: 5/6/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: A child support order is modified when past due child support obligations are forgiven.
When a child support judgment is transcribed and filed with the clerk of court in another county for the purpose of enforcement, the original county does not lose continuing jurisdiction for all other child support matters, such as modification of the original judgment.

Sommers v. Sommers 2003 ND 77
Docket No.: 20020149
Filing Date: 5/6/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: A party moving to dismiss an appeal for acceptance of benefits of a judgment must clearly establish waiver of the right to appeal by the other party.
Ordinarily, fair market value, not liquidation value, is the proper method of valuing property in a divorce.
In valuing a business that is not going to be liquidated, expenses and theoretical tax liabilities that would only be incurred upon liquidation should not be deducted.

State v. Thorson 2003 ND 76
Docket No.: 20020212
Filing Date: 5/6/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Sexual Offense
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: To establish obvious error, the defendant has the burden to show (1) error, (2) that is plain, and (3) that affects substantial rights.
Under N.D.R.Crim.P. 16, the prosecution must disclose, upon the defendant's request, names and statements of witnesses the prosecution intends to call and also the relevant statements within the prosecution's possession or control of other persons.
The defendant's failure to discover evidence from a lack of reasonable diligence defeats a Brady claim that the prosecution withheld that evidence.

Malchose v. Kalfell, et al. 2003 ND 75
Docket No.: 20020290
Filing Date: 5/6/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Torts (Negligence, Liab., Nuis.)
Author: Neumann, William

Highlight: A trial court may determine a document is authentic based on the proponent's chain of custody testimony and the document's internal indicia of trustworthiness.
The public record exception to the hearsay rule applies to all records and data compilations of a public agency, including those not generally accessible to the public. The availability of a custodian or other witness with knowledge of the making of the record is not a requirement for admissibility.

Disciplinary Board v. Query (CONSOLIDATED W/20030025) 2003 ND 74
Docket No.: 20030024
Filing Date: 5/6/2003
Case Type: Discipline - Attorney - Original Proceeding
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Lawyer disbarred for conviction of a serious crime, and the effective date for disbarment is the date of the disbarment order.

State v. Tollefson 2003 ND 73
Docket No.: 20020197
Filing Date: 5/6/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Drugs/Contraband
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: An officer who reasonably believes a suspect may have a weapon in his pocket, but who is unable to determine with certainty whether the object is a weapon during a pat-down search, acts reasonably by reaching into the pocket to recover the object.

Ellis v. State 2003 ND 72
Docket No.: 20020289
Filing Date: 5/6/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: A Sixth Amendment violation of the right to assistance of counsel occurs if the government knowingly intrudes into the attorney-client relationship and the intrusion demonstrably prejudices the defendant, or creates a substantial threat of prejudice.

Vandeberg v. State (Consolidated w/20020321) 2003 ND 71
Docket No.: 20020320
Filing Date: 5/6/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Neumann, William

Highlight: The State cannot require a petitioner, in every post-conviction relief case, to prove up his case prior to any hearing merely by moving for summary disposition and asserting the petitioner has offered no evidence to support his claims.

Flattum-Riemers v. Flattum-Riemers 2003 ND 70
Docket No.: 20020318
Filing Date: 5/6/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Neumann, William

Highlight: A trial court's decision to change the location of a hearing to a county other than the county of venue will not be reversed on appeal unless the court has abused its discretion.
A party seeking a change of venue under N.D.R.Civ.P. 39.1(b)(1)(C) based upon the convenience of witnesses and furtherance of the ends of justice must demonstrate with specificity the identity of the witnesses, their place of residence, and the nature, necessity, and relevance of their testimony.
A trial court may under N.D.R.Civ.P. 6(d) to shorten the time for serving notice of a motion, and its decision will be reversed on appeal only for an abuse of that discretion.

Wagner v. Miskin 2003 ND 69
Docket No.: 20020200
Filing Date: 5/6/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Torts (Negligence, Liab., Nuis.)
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: An appellant assumes the consequences and the risk for the failure to file a complete transcript, and if the record on appeal does not allow for a meaningful and intelligent review of alleged error, this Court will decline review of the issue.
A party cannot complain of alleged error on appeal if the party invited the error.
A person making a defamatory statement in a privileged setting is not protected when repeating the defamatory statement in a non-privileged setting.

Interest of B.N. & K.K. (CONSOLIDATED W/20020281) (CONFIDENTIAL) 2003 ND 68
Docket No.: 20020256
Filing Date: 5/6/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Juvenile - Termination of Parental Rights
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: The probability of serious mental and emotional harm to a child may be established by prognostic evidence that a parent's current inability to properly care for the child will continue long enough to render improbable the successful assimilation of the child into a family if the parent's rights are not terminated.

Nelsen v. N.D. Dept. of Transportation, et al. 2003 ND 67
Docket No.: 20020334
Filing Date: 5/6/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Employer/Employee Dispute
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A judgment affirming a Central Personnel Division order upholding a Department of Transportation decision to terminate an employee is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(5).

State v. Norman 2003 ND 66
Docket No.: 20020172
Filing Date: 4/24/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Other
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: The DNA database sampling requirements in N.D.C.C. 31-13-03 apply (1) to persons convicted after July 31, 2001, of a listed felony offense; and (2) to persons incarcerated after July 31, 2001, as a result of a conviction for one of the listed offenses.
Only issues which have been thoroughly briefed and argued will be addressed on appeal.
Obtaining a DNA sample under N.D.C.C. 31-13-03 does not violate a person's Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

Spagnolia v. Monasky, et al. 2003 ND 65
Docket No.: 20020203
Filing Date: 4/22/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Contracts
Author: Neumann, William

Highlight: A contract is ambiguous when rational arguments can be made for different interpretations.
The intention of the parties to a contract must be gathered from the entire instrument and not from isolated clauses.
An implied trust, whether resulting or constructive, must be established by clear and convincing evidence.
An appellate court is not obligated to engage in unassisted searches of the record for evidence to support a litigant's position.
An appealing party has the burden of establishing not only that the trial court erred but that such error was highly prejudicial to his cause.

Koapke v. Herfendal, et al. 2003 ND 64
Docket No.: 20020177
Filing Date: 4/17/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Malpractice
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: A referring physician does not have a duty to obtain a patient's informed consent unless the referring physician formally prescribed or performed the procedure.
Retaining a "degree of participation" in the treatment plan associated with a surgery is not enough to create liability on the part of the referring physician.

Bachmeier v. Workers Comp. et al. 2003 ND 63
Docket No.: 20020270
Filing Date: 4/17/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Workers Compensation
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: A claimant who files a reapplication seeking a resumption of discontinued disability benefits must prove an actual wage loss caused by a significant change in the compensable medical condition.
A claimant who was not working and had not sought employment before or after a change in his compensable medical condition did not incur an actual wage loss.

Henry v. Securities Commissioner (Consolidated w/20020156 & 20020157) 2003 ND 62
Docket No.: 20020155
Filing Date: 4/15/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Administrative Proceeding
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: An order of the Securities Commissioner denying a motion to dismiss a cease and desist order is not a final order under the Administrative Agencies Practice Act and is not appealable.

Lanners, et al. v. Johnson, et al. 2003 ND 61
Docket No.: 20020255
Filing Date: 4/15/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: When a plaintiff presents a prima facie case for child custody modification, an evidentiary hearing must be held.

Argabright v. Rodgers, et al. 2003 ND 59
Docket No.: 20020246
Filing Date: 4/15/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Contracts
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: An ostensible agency rests upon conduct or communications of the principal which, reasonably interpreted, causes a third person to believe the agent has authority to act for and on behalf of the principal.
If an agency relationship is denied, the party alleging agency must establish it by clear and convincing evidence.

Cannaday v. Cannaday 2003 ND 58
Docket No.: 20020185
Filing Date: 4/15/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Divorce - Property
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: The rules for the division of property are the same in a separation action as in a divorce action, and the division must be an equitable one.
When the provisions of a separation judgment imply that the trial court intended the property division to be final, that judgment is binding upon the parties and it is improper for the court to subsequently alter the property division.

City of Bismarck v. Stockert (Consolidated w/20020332 & 20020333) 2003 ND 57
Docket No.: 20020331
Filing Date: 4/15/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Misdemeanor
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Conviction for criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, and unlawful registration of a motor vehicle is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(3).

City of Devils Lake v. Alford 2003 ND 56
Docket No.: 20020264
Filing Date: 4/15/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - DUI/DUS/APC
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Denial of a motion to suppress evidence is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(4).

Schmidt v. Schmidt 2003 ND 55
Docket No.: 20020202
Filing Date: 4/15/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: A trial court determining the best interest and welfare of a child in making a custody decision may appropriately consider such things as the child's interaction and interrelationships with a party's extended family and other people, such as childcare providers and others who may significantly affect the child's best interests.
A party may include in a brief materials not in the record if they are judicially cognizable apart from the record as authorities marshaled in support of a legal argument, but may not include material seeking to supplement the evidentiary record.

Disciplinary Board v. Schoppert 2003 ND 54
Docket No.: 20030097
Filing Date: 4/2/2003
Case Type: Discipline - Attorney - Original Proceeding
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Interim suspension of lawyer ordered.

Lawrence v. Delkamp (CON w/20020291) 2003 ND 53
Docket No.: 20020244
Filing Date: 4/1/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Skjervem v. Minot State Univ. 2003 ND 52
Docket No.: 20020236
Filing Date: 3/31/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Torts (Negligence, Liab., Nuis.)
Author: Neumann, William

Highlight: When no pertinent evidence on an essential element of a party's claim is presented in resistance to a motion for summary judgment, it is presumed no such evidence exists.

Questa Resources, et al. v. Stott, et al. 2003 ND 51
Docket No.: 20020267
Filing Date: 3/31/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Foreclosure
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: A foreign corporation creating and enforcing a security interest by way of a mortgage is not required to obtain a certificate of authority in this state prior to bringing an action to foreclose the mortgage.

Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Co. v. Center Mutual Ins. Co. 2003 ND 50
Docket No.: 20020073
Filing Date: 3/26/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Insurance
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: Liability coverage for bodily injury because of an auto accident results under an insurance policy if the use of the auto arises out of the inherent nature of the auto.
For a person to be a gratuitous employee, that person's employer must have expressly or impliedly requested the employee's help.
Policy coverage cannot be defeated simply because a separate excluded risk constitutes an additional cause of the injury.
Implied indemnity for settlements is allowed if the indemnitee has a reasonable belief of potential liability, even though it is ultimately determined that the indemnitee had no interest to protect.
The right to sue for implied indemnity does not arise until the indemnitee has suffered actual loss through payment, settlement, or through the injured party's obtaining an enforceable judgment against the indemnitee.

Judicial Vacancy in District Judgeship No. 7, East Central District 2003 ND 49
Docket No.: 20030073
Filing Date: 3/26/2003
Case Type: Judicial Administration - Rule - Rule
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Court orders Judgeship No. 7, with chambers in Hillsboro, East Central Judicial District, be retained and filled.

Amyotte v. Rolette Co. Housing Authority 2003 ND 48
Docket No.: 20020191
Filing Date: 3/26/2003
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Torts (Negligence, Liab., Nuis.)
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: A landlord's duty to protect others from harm by an animal on the premises arises only when the landlord knows that the animal is dangerous and presents an unreasonable risk of harm.
An issue of fact becomes a question of law if reasonable persons could reach only one conclusion from the evidence.