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Disciplinary Board v. Edwardson 2002 ND 106
Docket No.: 20020068
Filing Date: 7/11/2002
Case Type: Discipline - Attorney - Original Proceeding
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A lawyer who cannot comply with a discovery request without jeopardizing the client should withdraw from representation rather than violate the rules of professional conduct.
Lawyer suspended from the practice of law for 60 days.

State v. Jackson (Consolidated w/20010299) 2002 ND 105
Docket No.: 20010298
Filing Date: 7/11/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Sexual Offense
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: It is not ineffective assistance of counsel to fail to move for a judgment of acquittal when the prosecution has presented a prima facie case.

Nowling, et al. v. BNSF Railway, et al. 2002 ND 104
Docket No.: 20010302
Filing Date: 7/11/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Real Property
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: Under N.D. Const. art. XII, sec. 13, the right of way for an operating railroad line is a public highway that is not subject to adverse possession or acquiescence.

Corbett v. Corbett 2002 ND 103
Docket No.: 20020010
Filing Date: 7/11/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Divorce - Property
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: There must be some factual basis in the record for the length of time spousal support is awarded, but a specific plan of rehabilitation is not required.
On questions of spousal support, we do not substitute our judgment for that of the trial court.

State v. Stewart (Consolidated w/20010284) 2002 ND 102
Docket No.: 20010283
Filing Date: 7/11/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - DUI/DUS/APC
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: Under N.D.R.Ev. 609(a)(i), for the purpose of attacking the credibility of a testifying accused, evidence that the accused has been convicted of a felony that meets the time limit of subdivision (b) must be admitted if the court determines that the probative value of admitting that evidence outweighs its prejudicial effect.
Among the factors for a trial court to consider in weighing the probative value of a prior felony conviction and its prejudicial effect are impeachment value of the prior crime, the time of the conviction and the witness's subsequent history, similarity between the prior crime and the charged crime, importance of the defendant's testimony, and the centrality of the credibility issue.

Hansen, et al. v. Scott, et al. 2002 ND 101
Docket No.: 20010195
Filing Date: 6/10/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Torts (Negligence, Liab., Nuis.)
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: A trial court may grant a certification under N.D.R.Civ.P. 54(b) if the issues raised in the appeal will not be mooted by future developments in the trial court.
Rule 4(b)(2), N.D.R.Civ.P., authorizes North Dakota courts to exercise personal jurisdiction over a nonresident to the fullest extent permitted by due process.
To establish personal jurisdiction over a nonresident under N.D.R.Civ.P. 4(b)(2), the requirements of one of the subparagraphs of Rule 4(b)(2) must be satisfied, and the nonresident must have sufficient minimum contacts with North Dakota so the exercise of personal jurisdiction does not offend traditional notions of substantial justice, fair play, or due process.

Dvorak v. Disciplinary Board 2002 ND 100
Docket No.: 20020127
Filing Date: 6/7/2002
Case Type: Discipline - Attorney - Original Proceeding
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Lawyer reinstated to the practice of law.

Matrix Properties Corp. v. JCG Investments, et al. 2002 ND 99
Docket No.: 20020011
Filing Date: 6/6/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Contracts
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A judgment quieting title to real property and an order denying a motion to alter, amend, or vacate the judgment are summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(1).
The Supreme Court may award attorneys fees under N.D.R.App.P. 38, when the appeal is frivolous.

State ex rel. Clayburgh v. American West Community Promotions, Inc. 2002 ND 98
Docket No.: 20010223
Filing Date: 6/4/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Tax Realted
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: When a transaction involves the transfer of both tangible personal property and intangible personal property, the true object of the transaction must be examined to determine if the transaction is subject to sales tax.
Sales of coupon books are not subject to sales tax as sales of tangible personal property, consisting of goods, wares, or merchandise.

Skadberg v. Skadberg 2002 ND 97
Docket No.: 20010261
Filing Date: 6/4/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: To support a petition for a disorderly conduct restraining order, the petitioner must present evidence of specific acts or threats constituting disorderly conduct.
A full hearing on a disorderly conduct restraining order authorizes a district court to hear the evidence on affidavits and cross-examination.

Paul v. ND Workers Comp. Bureau 2002 ND 96
Docket No.: 20010290
Filing Date: 6/4/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Workers Compensation
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: The Bureau has the burden of establishing that a vocational rehabilitation plan provides a claimant with a reasonable opportunity to obtain employment.

State v. Laib 2002 ND 95
Docket No.: 20010206
Filing Date: 6/4/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Drugs/Contraband
Author: Neumann, William

Highlight: Whether a defendant establishes statements made in support of a search warrant were intentionally false or made with reckless disregard of the truth is a finding of fact.
A defendant's two prior convictions for class B felony delivery of marijuana qualify as prior offenses to trigger the 20-year mandatory minimum sentence for a current conviction for class A felony possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver.

Eide v. Eide 2002 ND 94
Docket No.: 20010236
Filing Date: 6/4/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Divorce - Property
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Order denying a motion for relief from judgment is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(4).

Churchill v. Churchill 2002 ND 93
Docket No.: 20020015
Filing Date: 6/4/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Per Curiam

Kaffar, et al. v. Dschaak, et al. 2002 ND 92
Docket No.: 20010317
Filing Date: 6/4/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Real Property
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Judgment quieting title to a parcel of property and denying claim of acquiescence to a new boundary line is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2).

State v. Moore 2002 ND 91
Docket No.: 20010255
Filing Date: 6/4/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Theft
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: The defendant's convictions for theft of property, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, and reckless driving are summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(4).

Interest of T.J.R. (NOTE: case was consol. w/20010286) 2002 ND 90
Docket No.: 20010300
Filing Date: 6/4/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Juvenile - Termination of Parental Rights
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Termination of parental rights is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2).

State v. Moore 2002 ND 89
Docket No.: 20010259
Filing Date: 6/4/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Theft
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Conviction for theft of property is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(3), (4).

Bettenhausen v. Bettenhausen 2002 ND 88
Docket No.: 20020012
Filing Date: 6/4/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Divorce - Property
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: The trial court's judgment is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2).

Looney v. Looney 2002 ND 87
Docket No.: 20010289
Filing Date: 6/4/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Divorce - Property
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A judgment enforcing an earlier divorce judgment between the parties is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2) and (4).

Matrix v. TAG Investments (Cross ref. See Docket Memo) 2002 ND 86
Docket No.: 20010228
Filing Date: 5/17/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Contracts
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: As part of the enforcement of a judgment for specific performance of the conveyance of land, a purchaser may proceed by ancillary motion after the trial court has ordered the transfer of the land under N.D.R.Civ.P. 70 to recover costs, attorney fees, and damages for the seller's delay in conveying land.

Shiek v. ND Workers Comp. Bureau, et al. 2002 ND 85
Docket No.: 20010319
Filing Date: 5/14/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Workers Compensation
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: When a claimant receives a prior and a subsequent permanent impairment award, the overall number of weeks the claimant is entitled to receive for both the prior and subsequent impairments is the number of weeks that corresponds to the combined value of the prior and subsequent impairments on a whole body basis.

Knoll v. ND Dept. of Transportation 2002 ND 84
Docket No.: 20020059
Filing Date: 5/14/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Department of Transportation
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: If a person intentionally or unintentionally provides false information to an operator attempting to follow the State Toxicologist's approved methods for a chemical test, the person cannot challenge the foundation for admissibility of the test results on the ground that the false information resulted in the approved methods not being followed.
The outcome of a related criminal prosecution for driving under the influence is not relevant in an administrative proceeding to suspend a driver's license.

Cass Co. Joint Water Resource District v. 1.43 Acres of Land, et al. 2002 ND 83
Docket No.: 20010217
Filing Date: 5/14/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Real Property
Author: Neumann, William

Highlight: A condemnation action is purely in rem, and does not require acquisition of in personam jurisdiction over the owners of the land.
Tribal sovereign immunity does not bar a condemnation action in state court involving land which is owned in fee by the tribe and which is not reservation land, allotted land, aboriginal land, or trust land.
Once the federal government removes restraints on alienation of Indian land by granting a fee patent to a private party, the land does not become inalienable again under the Federal Nonintercourse Act, 25 U.S.C. 177, when it is purchased in fee by an Indian tribe.

Estate of Hass 2002 ND 82
Docket No.: 20010233
Filing Date: 5/14/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Probate, Wills, Trusts
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: The trial court's decision whether to remove a personal representative for cause will not be set aside on appeal absent an abuse of discretion.
If an estate inventory is filed with the court, the personal representative is required to provide a copy only to interested persons who request it.
The trial court may award attorney fees for legal services in a will contest if the proceedings benefit the estate as a whole.

Uren v. Dakota Dust-Tex, Inc. 2002 ND 81
Docket No.: 20010205
Filing Date: 5/14/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Contracts
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: Absent an express agreement to the contrary, a tenant is an implied co-insured under the landlord's property insurance policy, and the insurer may not seek subrogation against the tenant for damages caused by the tenant's negligence.
Ordinary negligence is not a "willful act or misconduct" under a lease provision requiring the tenant to continue paying rent if the building is destroyed by the "willful act or misconduct" of the tenant.
A landlord who receives insurance payments exceeding the actual value of the damages allegedly caused by the tenant's negligence cannot recover against the tenant for "uninsured losses."
Attorney travel expenses to attend a pretrial product inspection are not recoverable as costs or disbursements.

Luallin, et al. v. Koehler, et al. 2002 ND 80
Docket No.: 20010301
Filing Date: 5/15/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Torts (Negligence, Liab., Nuis.)
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: The requirements for registration of securities and dealers under the North Dakota Securities Act apply only to securities which are sold or offered for sale in this state and only to dealers or agents who offer for sale or sell any securities within or from this state.
For purposes of liability for selling securities in violation of the North Dakota Securities Act, what constitutes participation or aid in any way in making a sale of securities is determined upon the facts of each case.
Fraud must be proved by clear and convincing evidence, and that higher burden of proof should be considered by the trial court in determining whether there exists a genuine issue of material fact as to fraud.

State v. Steiger 2002 ND 79
Docket No.: 20010240
Filing Date: 5/14/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Sexual Offense
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: When sufficiency of the evidence is challenged, the evidence is examined in the light most favorable to the verdict to see whether a rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime were established beyond a reasonable doubt.
In a criminal case tried without a jury, the trial court need only make a general finding of guilty or not guilty.

Interest of J.R. and L.R. (CONFIDENTIAL) 2002 ND 78
Docket No.: 20010264
Filing Date: 5/14/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Juvenile Law
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: A child is deprived if clear and convincing evidence shows the child is without the proper parental care necessary for the child's physical, mental, or emotional health, or morals, and the deprivation is not due primarily to the lack of financial means of the child's parents or guardians.

Whiteman v. State 2002 ND 77
Docket No.: 20010224
Filing Date: 5/14/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Neumann, William

Highlight: A defendant cannot be required to demonstrate how his appeal would have been successful in order to establish that he was prejudiced by his attorney's failure to pursue a requested appeal.
If the evidence raises a reasonable inference of ineffective assistance of counsel, an evidentiary hearing on a post-conviction claim of ineffective assistance of counsel is required.

Harger v. Harger 2002 ND 76
Docket No.: 20010186
Filing Date: 5/14/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: When a motion seeking modification of a child support order is brought within one year after its entry, the movant has the burden of demonstrating a material change in circumstances and the burden of presenting sufficient evidence to justify modification under the child support guidelines.
A remedial sanction for contempt of court is appropriate for a willful failure to comply with a court order directing compliance with the provisions of a divorce decree.

State v. Paul 2002 ND 75
Docket No.: 20010272
Filing Date: 5/14/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Felony
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: The trial court's judgment of conviction for the unauthorized use of a motor vehicle is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2).

Wilson v. Velva Rental Housing, Inc. 2002 ND 74
Docket No.: 20010308
Filing Date: 5/14/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Contracts
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Summary judgment dismissing contract claim is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(6).

State v. Disbrow 2002 ND 73
Docket No.: 20010257
Filing Date: 5/14/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Sexual Offense
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: The defendant's conviction on multiple counts of gross sexual imposition is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(1).

Peters-Riemers v. Riemers (See Docket Memo) 2002 ND 72
Docket No.: 20010135
Filing Date: 5/14/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Neumann, William

Highlight: When the state constitution was adopted in 1889 there was no common law or statutory right to a jury trial in divorce actions, and, therefore, N.D. Const. art. I, sec. 13 does not provide a right to a jury trial in divorce actions.
Failure to provide truthful and accurate financial information to a potential spouse upon entering a premarital agreement is sufficient ground to render the agreement unenforceable.
N.D. Const. art. XI, sec. 23, providing that a woman's property, upon marriage, remains her separate property and is not liable for the debts of her husband, is not part of our divorce law and has no application to the division of marital assets in dissolving a marriage.

State v. Norby 2002 ND 71
Docket No.: 20010144
Filing Date: 4/19/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Felony
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: Defenses or objections based on defects in the institution of a prosecution or on defects in the criminal complaint must be raised prior to trial, unless the complaint failed to charge an offense or the district court did not have jurisdiction.

Negaard v. Negaard (cross-ref. w/20030174) 2002 ND 70
Docket No.: 20010251
Filing Date: 4/18/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: A move sought in good faith and to gain legitimate advantages for the custodial parent and the child must not be denied simply because visitation cannot continue in the existing pattern.
A custodial parent's past behavior is a relevant fact for the trial court to weigh in considering his or her motion to change a child's residence to another state.

Berg v. Berg 2002 ND 69
Docket No.: 20000355
Filing Date: 4/18/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: There is a presumption only supervised visitation will be allowed a noncustodial parent who has committed domestic violence, and to award unsupervised visitation the court must enter specific findings showing there is clear and convincing evidence the presumption has been rebutted.
Under N.D.C.C. 14-09-08.10, the custodial parent must provide health insurance coverage for the children if it is available at no or nominal cost. Otherwise, the noncustodial parent must provide health insurance coverage for the children if it is available at reasonable cost. If neither situation exists, the trial court has discretion to make other provisions for health insurance coverage for the children.

Knutson, et al. v. The County of Barnes, et al. 2002 ND 68
Docket No.: 20010203
Filing Date: 4/18/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Torts (Negligence, Liab., Nuis.)
Author: Neumann, William

Highlight: Failure to present a claim against the state to the office of management and budget within one hundred and eighty days requires dismissal of a subsequent action. Summary judgment is appropriate when a party fails to plead the necessary elements to satisfy the statutory RICO requirements.

Marschner v. Marschner (cross-ref. w/20000172) 2002 ND 67
Docket No.: 20010220
Filing Date: 4/16/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Divorce - Property
Author: Neumann, William

Highlight: The burden is on the complaining party to demonstrate a trial court's findings of fact are clearly erroneous.

DesLauriers v. DesLauriers 2002 ND 66
Docket No.: 20010145
Filing Date: 4/16/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: The deliberate infliction of mental anguish upon one parent and the children by the other parent is relevant to the custody determination and may be considered by the trial court.
In a custody determination, a trial court has no obligation to consider the preference of an immature child, but the trial court may determine whether or not a child is capable of intelligently choosing between parents.
The debt produced by using credit cards to benefit the entire family is, like property, neither uniquely the husband's nor the wife's and is to be allocated by the trial court in its equitable division of the marital estate.

Olander Contracting v. Gail Wachter Investments, et al. 2002 ND 65
Docket No.: 20010086
Filing Date: 4/16/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Contracts
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: Indemnification is a remedy allowing a party to recover reimbursement from another for the discharge of a liability that, as between them, should have been discharged by the other.
The district court may enter summary judgment on its own motion as long as the losing party was on notice it had to come forward with all its evidence.
An appealing party has the burden of establishing that the trial court erred and that the error was highly prejudicial to the appellant's cause.
Without supportive reasoning or citations to relevant authorities, an argument is without merit.
A party waives an issue by not providing supporting argument.
A trial court has broad discretion over the nature and scope of written questions submitted to the jury, and appellate review is limited to determining whether the trial court abused its discretion.
North Dakota's prompt payment statute, N.D.C.C. ch. 13-01.1, does not apply while there is a reasonable dispute between a governmental agency and a business over the amount due or over compliance with a contract for property or services.

Isaak v. Sprynczynatyk 2002 ND 64
Docket No.: 20010291
Filing Date: 4/16/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Department of Transportation
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: A driving record is a regularly kept record, and establishes prima facie its contents.
A party appealing from an administrative hearing officer's decision must comply with the specifications-of-error requirement.

Western National Mutual Ins. Co. v. UND 2002 ND 63
Docket No.: 20010118
Filing Date: 4/16/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Insurance
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: N.D.C.C. 26.1-32-01 and 26.1-32-03 codify the efficient proximate cause doctrine for determining insurance coverage for property damage where an excluded peril and a covered peril contribute to the damage.
An insurer may not contractually exclude coverage when a covered peril is the efficient proximate cause of damage even though an excluded peril may have contributed to the damage.
An insured may be entitled to prejudgment interest under N.D.C.C. 32-02-04 when an insurer denies a claim based on an exclusion from coverage, regardless of whether the insured has determined the exact amount of the loss if the amount was ascertainable under a proper construction of the contract.
Under N.D.C.C. 32-23-08, an insured is entitled to attorney fees incurred in an insurer's declaratory judgment action in which the court determines there is insurance coverage.

State v. Knowels (cross-ref. w/20030093) 2002 ND 62
Docket No.: 20010147
Filing Date: 4/16/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Sexual Offense
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: Failure to register as a sex offender is not a strict liability offense but, instead, includes the culpable mental state of "willfully."
A crime is completed when all of its essential elements are present and complete.

Olson, et al. v. Bismarck Parks and Recreation District 2002 ND 61
Docket No.: 20010249
Filing Date: 4/16/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Personal Injury
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: The recreational use immunity statutes do not violate the state equal protection clause when applied to winter sledders injured on a hill owned, operated, and maintained by a public landowner.

Anderson, et al. v. Heinze 2002 ND 60
Docket No.: 20010127
Filing Date: 4/16/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Real Property
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: No counterclaim can be interposed in an eviction action, except as a setoff to a demand for damages or for rents and profits.
In an eviction action, the defendant may show the character of the possessory rights claimed by the parties, but the right to possession of the real estate is the only fact that can be litigated unless either damages or rent is claimed.

Klagues, et al. v. Maintenance Engineering 2002 ND 59
Docket No.: 20010213
Filing Date: 4/16/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Contracts
Author: Neumann, William

Highlight: The class-action "joint and common interest" generally exists if one class member's failure to collect would increase the recovery of the remaining members, or if the defendant's total liability does not depend on how the recovery of the claim is distributed among the class members. A joint and common interest is not the same as a common question of law or fact.
The class-action "incompatible standards" generally occur when the party opposing the class certification would be unable to comply with one judgment without violating the terms of another judgment.
If claims or defenses of members of the proposed class are based on unique facts or individual relationships with the opposing party, class-action certification is inappropriate.

Wolfe v. Wolfe 2002 ND 58
Docket No.: 20010276
Filing Date: 4/16/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Permanent disorderly conduct restraining order is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2).

State v. Vincent (Cross-Ref. w/19980185) 2002 ND 57
Docket No.: 20010218
Filing Date: 4/16/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Sexual Offense
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Conviction of gross sexual imposition is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(5) and (7).