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Estate of Howser 2002 ND 33
Docket No.: 20010185
Filing Date: 2/20/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Probate, Wills, Trusts
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: Whether undue influence exists is a question of fact.
A trial court may remove the personal representative of an estate for cause.

Bertsch, et al. v. Duemeland, et al. (cross-ref. w/20040055) 2002 ND 32
Docket No.: 20010151
Filing Date: 2/20/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Torts (Negligence, Liab., Nuis.)
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: Whether a communication that is capable of a defamatory meaning is understood by the recipient as defamatory is ordinarily a question of fact.
To recover for interference with a business relationship, a plaintiff must show he would have obtained some economic benefit in the absence of the interference.

City of Devils Lake v. Lawrence 2002 ND 31
Docket No.: 20010063
Filing Date: 2/20/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - DUI/DUS/APC
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: An officer's reasonable and articulable suspicion that an individual has committed the offense of disorderly conduct is sufficient to justify a temporary detention of that individual for investigative purposes.

Olson v. Olson 2002 ND 30
Docket No.: 20010156
Filing Date: 2/20/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Maring, Mary

Knutson v. Knutson 2002 ND 29
Docket No.: 20010238
Filing Date: 2/20/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: In considering whether a settlement agreement between divorcing parties should be enforced, the trial court should inquire: (1) whether the agreement is free from mistake, duress, menace, fraud, or undue influence; and (2) whether the agreement is unconscionable.
In the context of improperly coercing a spouse to sign a settlement agreement, undue influence is the improper use of power or trust in a way that deprives a person of free will and substitutes another's objective.
When the child support guidelines do not address a situation, as in the case of parents having joint physical custody of a child for equal amounts of time, the trial court must enter an order appropriate to the needs of the child and the ability of the parent to pay.

Hughes v. State, et al. (Con. w/20010189 & 20010190) 2002 ND 28
Docket No.: 20010188
Filing Date: 2/20/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: Issues raised in the district court but not briefed on appeal are waived.
A trial court may summarily dismiss an application for post-conviction relief if there is no genuine issue of material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.
No appeal lies from a final order in a habeas corpus proceeding.

Red Paint v. State 2002 ND 27
Docket No.: 20010245
Filing Date: 2/20/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: A post-conviction relief claim of disclosure of privileged communications is barred by res judicata if it was fully and finally determined in a previous proceeding.
A holder of a privilege waives the right to assert the privilege if he voluntarily discloses any significant portion of the privileged matter.
It is misuse of process to fail to raise an issue on direct appeal which is appropriate for review on direct appeal.

City of Fargo v. Steffan (Consolidated w/20010176) 2002 ND 26
Docket No.: 20010175
Filing Date: 2/20/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Misdemeanor
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: The arrest of a person in a public place for a public offense committed in the officer's presence is neither a violation of the United States' nor North Dakota's Constitution.
Under the search and seizure jurisprudence of both the United States Supreme Court and the North Dakota Supreme Court, an open doorway is a public place.

Grosinger v. M.B.K. (CONFIDENTIAL) 2002 ND 25
Docket No.: 20010108
Filing Date: 2/20/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Civil Commitment of Sexually Dangerous Individual
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: The phrase "likely to engage in further acts of sexually predatory conduct," used for commitment of sexually dangerous persons, means the person's propensity towards sexual violence is of such a degree as to pose a threat to others.

State v. Roberson 2002 ND 24
Docket No.: 20010053
Filing Date: 2/20/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Felony
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: While a defendant's disruptive conduct in court may, in some instances, be sufficient grounds to require a competency hearing, not all disruptive defendants are incompetent to stand trial. Rather, the conduct may be contempt of court.

Buchholz v. ND Department of Transportation 2002 ND 23
Docket No.: 20010211
Filing Date: 2/20/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Department of Transportation
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: A test operator scrupulously complies with the State Toxicologist's approved method to conduct a breath test if the test operator observes that the subject had nothing to eat, drink, or smoke in the twenty minutes prior to the collection of a breath sample.

Ghorbanni v. ND Council on the Arts, et al. 2002 ND 22
Docket No.: 20010164
Filing Date: 2/20/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Employer/Employee Dispute
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: Presenting a claim letter to an assistant attorney general does not satisfy N.D.C.C. 32-12.2-04(1), which requires that notice of a claim against the State be presented to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
An action for retaliatory discharge in violation of public policy sounds in tort, not contract.

Piatz v. ND Dept. of Transportation 2002 ND 20
Docket No.: 20010232
Filing Date: 2/20/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Department of Transportation
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Judgment of the district court affirming the decision of the Department of Transportation suspending driver's license for driving under the influence is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(5).

State v. Guy 2002 ND 19
Docket No.: 20010136
Filing Date: 2/20/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Sexual Offense
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Conviction of gross sexual imposition, burglary, robbery, and felonious restraint is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(4) and (7).

Burke v. State 2002 ND 18
Docket No.: 20010168
Filing Date: 2/20/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Judgment denying an application for post-conviction relief is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(1) and (2).

State v. Ringsrud 2002 ND 17
Docket No.: 20010242
Filing Date: 2/20/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Drugs/Contraband
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Judgment of conviction for unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(1), (3).

State v. Randall 2002 ND 16
Docket No.: 20000325
Filing Date: 2/19/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Felony
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: Under N.D.R.Ev. 609 (a)(i), the burden is on the State to point to a danger of prejudice that substantially outweighs the probative value of prior convictions offered by a defendant in a criminal case to impeach a witness for the State.
Error is harmless under N.D.R.Ev. 609(a)(i) if the witness's credibility was sufficiently impeached by other evidence, or if the State's case was strong enough to support a conviction even apart from the witness's testimony.

Judicial Conduct Commission v. Tessmann 2002 ND 15
Docket No.: 20020009
Filing Date: 1/22/2002
Case Type: Discipline - Judge - Original Proceeding
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Former municipal judge censured for violation of N.D. Code Jud. Conduct Canon 2, and prohibited from serving as a judge.

State v. Perreault 2002 ND 14
Docket No.: 20010180
Filing Date: 1/18/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Theft
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: A motion to dismiss tests the sufficiency of the information, but does not serve as a device for summary trial of the evidence.
A trial court may not grant a pretrial motion to dismiss based on a defense which raises factual questions embraced in the general issue of the defendant's guilt.

Bender v. Aviko USA L.L.C. 2002 ND 13
Docket No.: 20010162
Filing Date: 1/18/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Contracts
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: In opposing a summary judgment motion, a party may not simply rely on unsupported and conclusory allegations or denials in the pleadings, but must, instead, set forth specific facts illustrating the existence of a genuine issue for trial.

Judicial Vacancy in the Northwest District 2002 ND 12
Docket No.: 20020004
Filing Date: 1/15/2002
Case Type: Judicial Administration - Rule - Rule
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Judgeship ordered retained in Minot.

State v. BlackCloud 2002 ND 11
Docket No.: 20010196
Filing Date: 1/15/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Theft
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Trial court's order revoking probation is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2).

St. Claire v. State 2002 ND 10
Docket No.: 20010133
Filing Date: 1/15/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Neumann, William

Highlight: A trial court may summarily dismiss an application for post-conviction relief if there is no genuine issue of fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.

Disciplinary Board v. Crary 2002 ND 9
Docket No.: 20010200
Filing Date: 1/15/2002
Case Type: Discipline - Attorney - Original Proceeding
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A lawyer may not draft a will that includes a substantial testamentary gift to the lawyer or the lawyer's parent, child, sibling, or spouse, unless the client is related to the beneficiary. Disbarment orderd.

City of Fargo v. Tipler 2002 ND 8
Docket No.: 20010209
Filing Date: 1/15/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - DUI/DUS/APC
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: Juries do not have a right to decide a case contrary to law or fact, but instead, must accept the law from the trial court and apply the law to the facts.

Interest of J.S. (CONFIDENTIAL) (see Docket Memo) 2002 ND 7
Docket No.: 20010314
Filing Date: 1/15/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Mental Health
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: Before a court may order the extension of a continuing-treatment order it must find the patient is mentally ill, and there is a reasonable expectation that, if not treated, there exists a serious risk of harm to the patient, others, or property.
In some cases, a reporting doctor may reasonably conclude that less restrictive alternatives to hospitalization simply do not exist.

Disciplinary Board v. Swanson (CON. W/20010161)(CROSS-REF W/990357-990358) 2002 ND 6
Docket No.: 20010160
Filing Date: 1/15/2002
Case Type: Discipline - Attorney - Original Proceeding
Author:

Highlight: Disbarment is an appropriate sanction when an attorney violates numerous rules of professional conduct involving a lack of diligence, and the attorney has a prior disciplinary history involving similar conduct.

State v. Palmer (CONSOLIDATED W/20010124,20010125,& 20010126) 2002 ND 5
Docket No.: 20010123
Filing Date: 1/15/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Sexual Offense
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: To establish a failure to comply with the statutory process for drawing a jury, the complaining party must provide a factual basis showing the process was prejudicial, actually excluded, systematically excluded, or statistically excluded a fair cross section of the population.
Ordinarily, a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel should be resolved in a post- conviction relief proceeding where the parties can fully develop a record on the issue of counsel's performance and its impact on the defendant's case.

State v. Weaver 2002 ND 4
Docket No.: 20010083
Filing Date: 1/15/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Felony
Author: Neumann, William

Highlight: In reviewing a trial court's denial of a motion for judgment of acquittal, the evidence is viewed in the light most favorable to the prosecution and the appellate court determines only whether there is evidence which could have allowed the jury to draw an inference reasonably tending to prove guilt and fairly warranting a conviction.
When a defendant adopts an all-or-nothing trial strategy and fails to request instructions on lesser included offenses, the trial court's failure to instruct on lesser included offenses does not constitute obvious error.

State v. Marshall (Consolidated w/20010253) 2002 ND 3
Docket No.: 20010193
Filing Date: 1/15/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Felony
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Denials of N.D.R.Crim.P. 35(a) motion for correction of sentence and N.D.R.Crim.P. 36 motion for correction of a clerical mistake in sentence are summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(1).

Terry v. Terry 2002 ND 2
Docket No.: 20010039
Filing Date: 1/4/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Divorce - Property
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: A party seeking to set aside a judgment based upon a stipulation must show that, under the law of contracts, there is justification for setting aside the stipulation.
Rule 60(b), N.D.R.Civ.P., which sets forth the grounds for vacating a judgment, is not to be used to relieve a party from free, calculated, and deliberate choices.

Jaskoviak v. Gruver, et al. 2002 ND 1
Docket No.: 20010065
Filing Date: 1/3/2002
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Malpractice
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: Evidence submitted with a motion for reconsideration after summary judgment has been granted is untimely.
Generally, an integral part of the physician's overall obligation to the patient is the duty of reasonable disclosure of the available choices with respect to the proposed therapy and of the material and known risks potentially involved in each.
In an informed consent case, expert testimony is generally necessary to identify the risks of treatment, their gravity, likelihood of occurrence, and reasonable alternatives.

Disciplinary Board v. Boulger 2001 ND 210
Docket No.: 20010093
Filing Date: 12/31/2001
Case Type: Discipline - Attorney - Original Proceeding
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A lawyer commits an ethical violation when the lawyer drafts a will for an unrelated client giving the lawyer a contingent bequest of a substantial gift.

Consolidated Telephone v. Western Wireless Corporation, et al. 2001 ND 209
Docket No.: 20010146
Filing Date: 12/28/2001
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Administrative Proceeding
Author: Neumann, William

Highlight: Unless the Federal Communications Commission's rulings and regulations have been appropriately challenged in the proper federal forum, a state court is not at liberty to review the FCC's statutory interpretation even if its soundness is doubted, and the state court must apply the rulings and regulations as written.
State regulatory bodies and state courts have concurrent jurisdiction to determine preemption questions arising under the federal Communications Act.
A "commercial mobile radio service" as defined by federal law need not obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the Public Service Commission to compete with a landline local exchange telephone service in the state.

Dimond v. State Board of Higher Education (Consolidated w/20010155) 2001 ND 208
Docket No.: 20010154
Filing Date: 12/24/2001
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Administrative Proceeding
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: A breach of contract action against the State is governed by the three-year statute of limitations in N.D.C.C. 28-01-22.1.

Gepner, et al. v. Fujicolor Processing, Inc., et al. 2001 ND 207
Docket No.: 20010022
Filing Date: 12/21/2001
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Personal Injury
Author: Neumann, William

Highlight: N.D.R.Civ.P. 60(b) is to be liberally construed and applied, and trial courts should be more lenient in granting motions to vacate default judgments than in vacating judgments in cases which have been tried on their merits.
The Workers Compensation Bureau's determination of benefits to be awarded under the Act are not res judicata on the issue of damages available in an injured worker's separate civil action against an uninsured employer under N.D.C.C. 65-09-02.
A defendant may seek an independent mental examination of the plaintiff under N.D.R.Civ.P. 35(a) by presenting evidence placing the plaintiff's mental condition in controversy.

Belgarde, et al. v. Askim, et al. 2001 ND 206
Docket No.: 20010179
Filing Date: 12/20/2001
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Torts (Negligence, Liab., Nuis.)
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: Before dismissing a cause of action to sanction a party for destruction of evidence, the trial court must consider the culpability of the party against whom sanctions are being imposed, the prejudice to the party moving for sanctions, and the availability of less severe alternative sanctions.

Interest of M.C.H. (CONFIDENTIAL) (CROSS-REF. W/20010132) 2001 ND 205
Docket No.: 20010194
Filing Date: 12/20/2001
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Juvenile Law
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: Juveniles between the ages of seven and fourteen have no common law right to a presumption of incapacity to commit a crime, because the criminal capacity of children between the ages of seven and fourteen has been declared by statute.

City of Fargo v. Roberson (see Docket Memo) 2001 ND 204
Docket No.: 20010038
Filing Date: 12/20/2001
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Misdemeanor
Author: Neumann, William

Highlight: The Supreme Court will not consider questions that were not presented to the trial court and are raised for the first time on appeal.

Interest of D.P. (Confidential) 2001 ND 203
Docket No.: 20010285
Filing Date: 12/20/2001
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Mental Health
Author: Neumann, William

Highlight: For hospitalization in a mental health case, the district court must find by clear and convincing evidence that alternative treatment is not adequate or hospitalization is the least restrictive alternative.

State v. Baumgartner 2001 ND 202
Docket No.: 20010169
Filing Date: 12/20/2001
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Misdemeanor
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: One cannot be an accomplice without having the requisite criminal intent for the underlying offense, even if he or she is a co-conspirator.
Law enforcement officers who feign complicity in a crime in the pursuit of evidence are not accomplices.
The purpose of a motion to dismiss is to test the sufficiency of the information or indictment. It is not a device for summary trial of the evidence, and facts not appearing on the face of the information cannot be considered.

State v. Barth (Consolidated w/20010110) 2001 ND 201
Docket No.: 20010109
Filing Date: 12/20/2001
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - DUI/DUS/APC
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: A trial court has broad discretion in selecting a method to impanel a jury, if it permits the defendant to exercise peremptory challenges without embarrassment and does not intimidate him from exercising them.
A person is guilty of preventing an arrest if, with intent to prevent a public servant from effecting an arrest, he creates a substantial risk of bodily injury to the public servant or to anyone else except himself, or employs means justifying or requiring substantial force to overcome resistance to making the arrest.

Heick v. Erickson 2001 ND 200
Docket No.: 20010212
Filing Date: 12/20/2001
Case Type: Original Proceeding - Criminal - Writ of Certiorari
Author: Neumann, William

Highlight: In reviewing the denial of an application for a writ of certiorari, the Supreme Court does not delve into the merits of the trial court's decision but only determines whether the lower court exceeded its jurisdiction in acting.

Judicial Vacancy in the Northwest Judicial District 2001 ND 199
Docket No.: 20010229
Filing Date: 12/14/2001
Case Type: Judicial Administration - Rule - Rule
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Judgeship moved from Northwest to East Central Judicial District.

Disciplinary Board v. Dooley 2001 ND 198
Docket No.: 20010278
Filing Date: 12/14/2001
Case Type: Discipline - Attorney - Original Proceeding
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Lawyer suspended from the practice of law for 30 days

Security State Bank of ND v. Orvik 2001 ND 197
Docket No.: 20010064
Filing Date: 12/10/2001
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Real Property
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: The exception to the requirement to file crop liens applies to crop-share agreements and not to cash rent leases, and gives a landlord with an unrecorded crop-share agreement priority against subsequent purchasers or encumbrancers up to the landlord's share of the crops.

State v. Gates (Cross-ref. w/940388) 2001 ND 196
Docket No.: 20010167
Filing Date: 12/10/2001
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Theft
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: The trial court's denial of a motion to deem a class C felony theft conviction to be a misdemeanor under N.D.C.C. 12.1-32-02(9) is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a).

Gaab v. Ochsner (CONFIDENTIAL) 2001 ND 195
Docket No.: 20010112
Filing Date: 12/10/2001
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: A party is not required to prove actual or imminent domestic violence in order to obtain an extension of an existing protection order.

State v. Clark 2001 ND 194
Docket No.: 20010102
Filing Date: 12/10/2001
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Theft
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: Failure to file a transcript may prevent a party from being successful on appeal.
A trial court may modify conditions of probation if a defendant fails to pay adequate restitution.

Toni v. Toni 2001 ND 193
Docket No.: 20010084
Filing Date: 12/5/2001
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Divorce - Property
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: Agreements by divorcing parties to divest the trial court of jurisdiction to modify the amount and term of spousal support, which are adopted and incorporated into the divorce decree, are enforceable.