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1801 - 1900 of 12426 results

Rath v. Rath 2019 ND 303
Docket No.: 20190211
Filing Date: 12/18/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: District court orders denying a motion for an extension, denying a motion to amend the parenting plan and child support, and denying a motion for relief from order and new trial are summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2),(4).

Interest of Voisine 2019 ND 302
Docket No.: 20190155
Filing Date: 12/18/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Civil Commitment of Sexually Dangerous Individual
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: The evidence does not support the conclusion that the civilly committed resident remains a sexually dangerous individual and is clearly erroneous. The order denying the petition for discharge is reversed.

Lessard v. Johnson 2019 ND 301
Docket No.: 20190077
Filing Date: 12/17/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: A district court has discretion in deciding whether to grant a new trial under N.D.R.Civ.P. 59.
When a party moves for a new trial under N.D.R.Civ.P. 59, the party is limited on appeal to review of those issues raised in the motion for a new trial.
A district court’s decision awarding primary residential responsibility for children will not be reversed on appeal unless it is clearly erroneous, and the appellate court will not reweigh the evidence or retry the case.
The district court must equitably distribute the parties’ assets and debts in a divorce action.
A party is entitled to a hearing on a motion for contempt under N.D.C.C. § 27-10-01.3, but the party is required to comply with the procedural requirements of N.D.R.Ct. 3.2 to request a hearing.

State v. Komrosky 2019 ND 300
Docket No.: 20190065
Filing Date: 12/12/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Drugs/Contraband
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: Warrantless discovery of evidence in a defendant’s home is justified under the emergency exception to the warrant requirement if entry was actually motivated by a perceived need to render aid or assistance.

An objective standard of reasonableness is used in determining whether law enforcement had reasonable grounds to believe there was an emergency at hand and an immediate need for their assistance for the protection of life or property.

Plain view is a recognized exception to the warrant requirement, allowing law enforcement officers to seize a clearly incriminating object without a warrant if the officers are lawfully in a position from which they can view an object and the object’s incriminating character is immediately apparent.

Thomas v. Thomas 2019 ND 299
Docket No.: 20190094
Filing Date: 12/12/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: Section 14-09-06.2(1)(j), N.D.C.C, creates a rebuttable presumption against awarding custody of a child to a perpetrator of domestic violence if certain criteria is met. A district court is not bound to accept stipulations regarding custody and care of children if it finds the stipulations are not in the best interests of the child. A district court’s findings and conclusions regarding the presumption and stipulations should be sufficiently detailed to allow this Court to understand the basis for its decision.

State v. Rose 2019 ND 298
Docket No.: 20190176
Filing Date: 12/12/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: Statutes are generally not retroactive unless the legislature expressly declares so.

The law in effect when court proceedings occurred and the district court issued its decision is controlling.

Edwardson v. State 2019 ND 297
Docket No.: 20190182
Filing Date: 12/12/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: Whether a petitioner received  ineffective  assistance  of counsel is a mixed question of law and fact and is fully reviewable on appeal. The district court’s findings of fact will not be disturbed on appeal unless clearly erroneous.

A district court’s findings supporting the denial of appellant’s application for post-conviction relief were not clearly erroneous.

Skaw ND Precast, LLC v. Oil Capital Ready Mix, LLC, et al. 2019 ND 296
Docket No.: 20190138
Filing Date: 12/12/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: When a lessor sells property that is subject to an unfulfilled lease, the buyer takes the property subject to the terms of the lease.
A lease is an agreement under which the owner gives up possession and use of property for valuable consideration and for a definite term and at the end of the term the owner has the absolute right to retake, control, and use the property.
Conversion is the tortious detention or destruction of personal property, or a wrongful exercise of dominion or control over the property inconsistent with or in defiance of the rights of the owner.
The detriment caused by the wrongful conversion of personal property includes fair compensation for the time and money properly expended in pursuit of the property.

Open Road Trucking v. Swanson, et al. 2019 ND 295
Docket No.: 20190091
Filing Date: 12/12/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Debtor/Creditor
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: A judgment debtor who pays more than his or her proportionate share of a judgment may take an assignment of the judgment for the purpose of enforcing contribution against co-debtors.

WSI v. Salat, et al. 2019 ND 294
Docket No.: 20190056
Filing Date: 12/12/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Workers Compensation
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: A reasoning mind could reasonably determine the claimant was unable to work and earn as much as he earned at the time of his injury and the claimant suffered low back pain that was attributable to the compensable work injury after November 11, 2016.

Lindstrom v. N.D. Dep't of Transportation 2019 ND 293
Docket No.: 20190204
Filing Date: 12/12/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Department of Transportation
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: A reasoning mind could have reasonably found a report and notice was forwarded to the Department within five days of the issuance of the temporary operator’s permit as required by law. The hearing officer’s decision to suspend the appellant’s license for 180 days is affirmed.

State v. Walker 2019 ND 292
Docket No.: 20190186
Filing Date: 12/12/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Theft
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: A district court did not abuse its discretion when it ordered restitution against a defendant who pled guilty to theft for possession of a stolen motorcycle, and that motorcycle was returned damaged to the victim.

Stein v. State 2019 ND 291
Docket No.: 20190114
Filing Date: 12/12/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: A district court was not clearly erroneous in denying the application for post-conviction relief.

State v. Comes 2019 ND 290
Docket No.: 20190213
Filing Date: 12/12/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Homicide
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: When both N.D.C.C. § 12.1-32-09.1 and N.D.C.C. § 12.1-32-01(1) apply to a defendant’s sentence, the defendant is not eligible for parole until eighty-five percent of the sentence has been served or thirty years after admission to the penitentiary, whichever is greater.

State ex rel. City of Marion v. Alber 2019 ND 289
Docket No.: 20190170
Filing Date: 12/12/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: Res judicata principles prohibit the review of arguments raised in earlier appeals.

This Court will not consider an argument that is not adequately articulated, supported, and briefed.

Neutman v. N.D. Dep't of Transportation 2019 ND 288
Docket No.: 20190100
Filing Date: 12/12/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Department of Transportation
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A district court judgment is summarily reversed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(b).

Jesser v. N.D. Dep't of Transportation 2019 ND 287
Docket No.: 20190101
Filing Date: 12/12/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Department of Transportation
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: A driver’s limited post-arrest statutory right to counsel does not apply prior to arrest, and the holding in Kuntz v. State Highway Commissioner, 405 N.W.2d 285 (N.D. 1987) is not extended to N.D.C.C. § 39-20-14.

City of Fargo v. Wieland 2019 ND 286
Docket No.: 20190153
Filing Date: 12/12/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Real Property
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: Flood control projects are a public use for eminent domain purposes.

In the absence of bad faith, gross abuse of discretion, or fraud by the condemning authority in its determination that the property sought is necessary for the authorized use and is pursuant to specific statutory authority, such determination should not be disturbed by the courts.

The question of greater necessity is for a court to resolve.

When no statutory remedy is provided for a statutory violation, the court looks to whether the victim of the violation was prejudiced because absent a showing of prejudice, a statutory violation is not reversible error.

Lebeau v. State 2019 ND 285
Docket No.: 20190165
Filing Date: 12/12/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: An order denying an application for post-conviction relief is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2),(4).

State v. Dubois 2019 ND 284
Docket No.: 20190062
Filing Date: 12/12/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Felony
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: A district court is authorized to revoke probation for a violation prior to expiration or termination of probation under N.D.C.C. § 12.1-32-07(6). A court has discretion in sentencing and need not explicitly reference the statutory sentence factors when fixing a sentence. Section 12.1-32-07(6), N.D.C.C., permits a district court to impose any sentence available at the initial time of sentencing upon revocation of probation. Issues not raised in the district court cannot generally be raised for the first time on appeal, absent obvious error.

State v. Pailing 2019 ND 283
Docket No.: 20190086
Filing Date: 12/12/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Drugs/Contraband
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: A district court did not violate the defendant’s due process rights or abuse its discretion in overruling the defendant’s objection and denying the motion for mistrial concerning the State’s anecdote during closing argument.

State Tax Commissioner v. Bosset 2019 ND 282
Docket No.: 20190185
Filing Date: 12/12/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Tax Realted
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A district court summary judgment is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(1), (6) and (7).

Wilber v. Scaff 2019 ND 281
Docket No.: 20190196
Filing Date: 12/12/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A district court judgment is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2) and (4).

Continental Resources v. N.D. Dep't. of Environmental Quality 2019 ND 280
Docket No.: 20190087
Filing Date: 11/26/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: Where the legislature has deferred to an administrative agency’s expertise to develop rules, and has declined to provide clear direction on the substance of the rules to be developed, the “purely legal question” exception to the exhaustion of administrative remedies does not apply.

Saastad v. Saastad 2019 ND 279
Docket No.: 20190082
Filing Date: 11/25/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: A district court’s award of primary residential responsibility is a finding of fact, which will not be reversed on appeal unless it is clearly erroneous.

A district court’s decision on a motion for new trial or relief from judgment will not be reversed on appeal unless the district court abused its discretion.

A district court need not make findings of fact regarding financial need or ability to pay when ordering attorney’s fees as a sanction.

State v. Job 2019 ND 278
Docket No.: 20190116
Filing Date: 11/20/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Assault
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: A district court did not abuse its discretion in denying a motion to withdraw a guilty plea.

Matter of O.H.W. (CONFIDENTIAL) 2019 ND 277
Docket No.: 20190137
Filing Date: 11/20/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Civil Commitment of Sexually Dangerous Individual
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A district court’s order denying a petition for discharge from commitment as a sexually dangerous individual is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2).

State v. Legare 2019 ND 276
Docket No.: 20190069
Filing Date: 11/20/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Homicide
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: An Alford plea does not preserve non-jurisdictional claims for appeal.

Krump-Wooton v. Krump 2019 ND 275
Docket No.: 20190089
Filing Date: 11/20/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: A district court’s judgment denying a motion to modify parenting time and a motion to modify primary residential responsibility is affirmed.

State v. Maines (consolidated w/20180396) 2019 ND 274
Docket No.: 20180395
Filing Date: 11/20/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Theft
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: A district court may extend an offenders’ sentence if the offender is found to be a habitual offender under N.D.C.C. § 12.1-32-09. Section 12.1-32-02(9), N.D.C.C., does not apply to an offender’s out of state felony convictions for purposes of determining if the offender is a habitual offender. Section 12.1-32-09, N.D.C.C., specifically refers to convictions in another state and defines a felony in another state as one that is punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of five years or more, regardless of the actual punishment imposed.

Hughes v. Olheiser Masonry, et al. 2019 ND 273
Docket No.: 20190143
Filing Date: 11/20/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Personal Injury
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: Delivery is not accomplished at the time of mailing the summons and complaint to the sheriff’s department under N.D.C.C. § 28-01-38. An attempt to commence an action is not the equivalent to commencement when the summons is not delivered to the sheriff within the statute of limitations.

Interest of J.T.L.D. (CONFIDENTIAL) 2019 ND 272
Docket No.: 20190291
Filing Date: 11/20/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Juvenile - Termination of Parental Rights
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Order terminating father’s parental rights is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2).

State v. Dubois 2019 ND 271
Docket No.: 20190148
Filing Date: 11/20/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Theft
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A district court’s order revoking probation is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(4).

Wolf v. Wolf, et al. 2019 ND 270
Docket No.: 20190166
Filing Date: 11/20/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: The district court’s judgment modifying parenting time is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2) and (4).

Watkins v. State 2019 ND 269
Docket No.: 20190085
Filing Date: 11/20/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: The order denying post-conviction relief is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(3).

Broten v. Carter, et al. 2019 ND 268
Docket No.: 20190098
Filing Date: 11/20/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Malpractice
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: The two year statute of limitations for malpractice claims begins to run when the client discovers his attorney’s negligence and suffers some damage.

The trial court did not abuse its discretion by awarding fees, under N.D.C.C. § 28-26-06(5), for expert witnesses who were unnecessary to resolve a motion for summary judgment when the completion of fact discovery and the disclosure of expert witnesses was required prior to the summary judgment motion deadline.

Kemmet v. Steiner, et al. 2019 ND 267
Docket No.: 20190189
Filing Date: 11/20/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A district court judgment is affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(7).

State v. Buchanan 2019 ND 266
Docket No.: 20190183
Filing Date: 11/20/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Felony
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A criminal judgment entered after a jury verdict is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(3).

State v. Wallace 2019 ND 265
Docket No.: 20190149
Filing Date: 11/20/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Sexual Offense
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: The criminal judgment entered after a jury verdict is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(3),(4).

Matter of Emelia Hirsch Trust 2019 ND 264
Docket No.: 20190162
Filing Date: 11/1/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Probate, Wills, Trusts
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: An order denying a motion to vacate and terminate a trust is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(4).

Matter of Didier 2019 ND 263
Docket No.: 20190015
Filing Date: 10/29/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Civil Commitment of Sexually Dangerous Individual
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: A district court must find a sexually dangerous individual continues to have an inability to control his behavior. Past conduct is relevant and may be taken into account with present conduct to determine if an individual continues to have an inability to control his behavior. Inappropriate behavior not deemed actual misconduct requiring a formal sanction may be considered in determining an inability to control behavior. Conduct showing more than just a lack of progress, but a lack of participation, is sufficient to show an individual continues to have an inability to control his behavior.

State v. Vetter 2019 ND 262
Docket No.: 20190054
Filing Date: 10/29/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Felony
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: Under N.D.R.Ev. 201(b)(2), a court may judicially notice a fact that is not subject to reasonable dispute because it can be accurately and readily determined from sources whose accuracy cannot reasonably be questioned.

Section 14-09-22, N.D.C.C., is not unconstitutionally vague.

Fettig v. Fettig, et al. (consolidated w/ 20190103) 2019 ND 261
Docket No.: 20190102
Filing Date: 10/29/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Real Property
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: Real property can be gifted to a minor if there is an intention by the donor to then and there give the property to the donee, coupled with an actual or constructive delivery of the property to the donee, and acceptance of the property by the donee.
The doctrine of res judicata does not bar claims to quiet title for different parcels of land, but collateral estoppel may bar the relitigation of issues previously litigated in prior quiet title actions.

State v. Pittenger 2019 ND 260
Docket No.: 20190050
Filing Date: 10/29/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Assault
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: The criminal judgment entered after a jury verdict is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(3) and (4).

State v. Baltrusch 2019 ND 259
Docket No.: 20190083
Filing Date: 10/29/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Misdemeanor
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: To support a claim of insufficient evidence to support a conviction, the defendant bears the burden of showing the evidence, when viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict, reveals no reasonable inference of guilt.

The law of the case doctrine and the scope of the parties’ appeal define the parameters of the Supreme Court’s review.

There is no obvious error when a rule of law is not clearly established.

Interest of J.B. (CONFIDENTIAL) 2019 ND 258
Docket No.: 20190111
Filing Date: 10/29/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Civil Commitment of Sexually Dangerous Individual
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: When a committed individual petitions for discharge from commitment as a sexually dangerous individual, the State must prove the individual remains a sexually dangerous individual by clear and convincing evidence.

The district court must find the committed individual has serious difficulty controlling his behavior to continue that person’s commitment as a sexually dangerous individual.

Estate of Blikre 2019 ND 257
Docket No.: 20180162
Filing Date: 10/29/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Probate, Wills, Trusts
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: A holographic will is valid if the signature and material portions of the document are in the testator’s handwriting.

The law presumes a missing will has been revoked by the testator. To overcome the presumption, the party petitioning for the probate of a missing will must demonstrate, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the will existed at the time of the testator’s death, that the will was fraudulently destroyed in the lifetime of the testator, or that other evidence shows the testator did not intend to revoke the missing will.

State v. G.C.H. 2019 ND 256
Docket No.: 20190136
Filing Date: 10/29/2019
Case Type: Certified Question - Criminal - Criminal
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: The question of law certified by a North Dakota district court is not answered because it is not dispositive of the case. The North Dakota Supreme Court exercises supervisory jurisdiction to reverse the district court’s order finding a 16 and 17 year old married person was not a “child” under N.D.C.C. § 27-20-02(4)(b) when the offenses allegedly were committed. Reversed and remanded with directions to vacate the judgment and dismiss the case for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.

Interest of K.V. (CONFIDENTIAL) 2019 ND 255
Docket No.: 20190074
Filing Date: 10/29/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Juvenile Law
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: Juvenile court findings of delinquency for fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer and reckless driving are not clearly erroneous and are affirmed. A juvenile court finding of delinquency for criminal trespass is reversed due to insufficient evidence.

State v. Grzadzieleski 2019 ND 254
Docket No.: 20190049
Filing Date: 10/29/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - DUI/DUS/APC
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: The State may not appeal from an in limine order excluding evidence based on the physician-patient privilege under N.D.R.Ev. 503.

Supervisory writs are rarely issued and only to rectify errors and prevent injustice in extraordinary cases when no adequate alternative remedy exists.

Interest of D.V.A. (Confidential) 2019 ND 253
Docket No.: 20190118
Filing Date: 10/29/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Civil Commitment of Sexually Dangerous Individual
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A district court order denying discharge from civil commitment as a sexually dangerous individual is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2).

Rocky Mountain Steel Foundations. v. Brockett Company, et al. 2019 ND 252
Docket No.: 20190121
Filing Date: 10/29/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Oil, Gas and Minerals
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: A lienholder who recovers in a suit upon a bond is entitled to recover a reasonable attorney’s fee for the proceedings before the district court and for a successful appeal.

Clarke v. Taylor 2019 ND 251
Docket No.: 20190070
Filing Date: 10/29/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: A district court’s domestic violence protection order is affirmed.

State v. Ruddell 2019 ND 250
Docket No.: 20190139
Filing Date: 10/29/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Drugs/Contraband
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: District court criminal judgment summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(3).

Huerd v. General Motors, LLC 2019 ND 249
Docket No.: 20190125
Filing Date: 10/29/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: An action brought in small claims court is subject to the doctrine of res judicata. A small claims court’s judgment cannot be appealed in district court. Unless requested by a party, oral argument on a motion under N.D.R.Ct. 3.2 is not required.

Herman v. Herman, et al. 2019 ND 248
Docket No.: 20190150
Filing Date: 10/29/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Probate, Wills, Trusts
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: N.D.C.C. § 59-10.1-03(1) requires receipt of the notice, proven through the presumption or otherwise, to begin the 120 day limitation period. The presumption under N.D.C.C. § 59-10.1-03(1) is rebuttable.

It was an abuse of discretion for a district court to deny time for additional discovery under N.D.R.Civ.P. 56(f) when the motion for summary judgment was filed within four days of the service of the complaint and the motion for summary judgment was resolved as the result of a material fact established through a presumption.

Interest of G.T. (CONFIDENTIAL)(consol. w/20190258-20190260 & 20190265-20190268) 2019 ND 247
Docket No.: 20190257
Filing Date: 10/29/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Juvenile - Termination of Parental Rights
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Orders terminating mother, father, and John Doe’s parental rights are summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2),(4), and (7).

State v. Tyler 2019 ND 246
Docket No.: 20190067
Filing Date: 10/3/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Assault
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: When a party moves for a mistrial because of an unavailable witness who already testified and neither party is at fault, the movant must make an offer of proof to provide a record of what additional testimony the witness would provide and why the additional testimony is material.

Ramirez v. Houge, et al. 2019 ND 245
Docket No.: 20190120
Filing Date: 10/3/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: District court judgment affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(1), (2), and (4).

First National Bank of Omaha v. Young 2019 ND 244
Docket No.: 20190113
Filing Date: 10/3/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Debtor/Creditor
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A district court summary judgment is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(6).

Trulson, et al. v. Meiers, et al. 2019 ND 243
Docket No.: 20190035
Filing Date: 10/3/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Oil, Gas and Minerals
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: Whether there was delivery of a deed is a question of fact.

A grantee’s possession of a deed raises a presumption that the grantor intended delivery of the deed. The evidence to overcome the presumption of delivery must be clear and convincing.

Carlson v. State 2019 ND 242
Docket No.: 20190057
Filing Date: 10/3/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: The order denying post-conviction relief is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2).

State v. Gregory 2019 ND 241
Docket No.: 20190060
Filing Date: 10/3/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Felony
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: The criminal judgment entered after a jury verdict is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(3). Sufficient evidence exists that could allow a jury to draw a reasonable inference in favor of conviction of manslaughter.

Brock v. Price, et al. 2019 ND 240
Docket No.: 20190092
Filing Date: 10/3/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Personal Injury
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: A district court may revise any non-final order before entry of a final judgment and has discretion to extend deadlines in its scheduling order before trial.

Once a claimant is allowed to participate in the workers’ compensation fund, he or she may no longer elect to bring a lawsuit against the employer.

The word “must” in a statute normally indicates a mandatory duty.

State v. Smith 2019 ND 239
Docket No.: 20180416
Filing Date: 10/3/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Sexual Offense
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: A defendant’s failure to object at trial to character evidence or evidence of alleged prior bad acts under N.D.R.Ev. 404 forfeits the claim of error.

The district court does not err by failing to give the jury an instruction limiting the use of character evidence or evidence of prior bad acts if neither party requests an instruction and the defendant does not object to the evidence at trial.

State v. Gray 2019 ND 238
Docket No.: 20190031
Filing Date: 10/3/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Misdemeanor
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: District court judgment summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(4) and (7).

Whetsel v. State 2019 ND 237
Docket No.: 20190034
Filing Date: 10/3/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A district court order denying an application for post-conviction relief is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2).

State v. Vogt 2019 ND 236
Docket No.: 20190124
Filing Date: 10/3/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Sexual Offense
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: A defendant seeking post-conviction relief cannot circumvent the Uniform Postconviction Procedure Act by designating his application for post-conviction relief as a motion under a rule of criminal procedure or by filing his motion in his criminal file, rather than filing an application for post-conviction relief.
Applicant for post-conviction relief is entitled to notice that his application may be summarily dismissed.

Interest of G.D-M. (CONFIDENTIAL) (consol. w/ 20190233) 2019 ND 235
Docket No.: 20190232
Filing Date: 10/3/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Juvenile - Termination of Parental Rights
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Orders terminating father’s parental rights are summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2) and (7).

Cichos, et al. v. Dakota Eye Institute, P.C., et al. 2019 ND 234
Docket No.: 20180347
Filing Date: 9/24/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Malpractice
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: For public policy reasons, there is no third-party duty owed by a physician to warn a patient of the danger of driving with a latent condition. A purely economic claim against a physician based on indemnity for medical malpractice is assignable from a patient to a third party who was injured as a result of the malpractice. Under N.D.C.C. § 28-01-46, an affidavit has a low threshold to meet the requirements.

Franciere v. City of Mandan (Cross-referenced) 2019 ND 233
Docket No.: 20190122
Filing Date: 9/12/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: A district court must rule on a motion to dismiss for insufficiency of service and lack of personal jurisdiction before adjudicating the merits of a claim.

Interest of Hoff 2019 ND 232
Docket No.: 20190066
Filing Date: 9/12/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Civil Commitment of Sexually Dangerous Individual
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A district court order denying discharge from civil commitment as a sexually dangerous individual is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2) and (4).

Alvarado v. N.D. Dept. of Transportation 2019 ND 231
Docket No.: 20190032
Filing Date: 9/12/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Department of Transportation
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: Without a valid request for testing, including a valid advisory, there can be no refusal to submit to testing under N.D.C.C. §§ 39-20-01(3)(a) or 39-08-01(2).

Larson, et al. v. Tonneson, et al. 2019 ND 230
Docket No.: 20180169
Filing Date: 9/12/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Real Property
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: In an appeal from a bench trial, the district court’s findings of fact are reviewed under the clearly erroneous standard of review, and its conclusions of law are fully reviewable.
To satisfy the elements for adverse possession, the acts on which the claimant relies must be actual, visible, continuous, notorious, distinct, and hostile, and of such character to unmistakably indicate an assertion of claim of exclusive ownership by the occupant.
While adverse possession generally cannot be obtained against a public entity, title may be acquired by adverse possession when a roadway has been unopened to public use, an offer to dedicate it has been unaccepted, or it has been vacated or abandoned.
Whether an adverse possession has occurred presents a question of fact, which will not be reversed on appeal unless clearly erroneous.

State v. Greenshields 2019 ND 229
Docket No.: 20190105
Filing Date: 8/29/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Sexual Offense
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: When the dismissal of a criminal count or entire complaint is silent whether it is with or without prejudice, it is ambiguous and examination of the parties and the district court’s intent is required.

Pennington, et al. v. Continental Resources, Inc. 2019 ND 228
Docket No.: 20190063
Filing Date: 8/27/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Oil, Gas and Minerals
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: Oil and gas leases are interpreted as a whole to give effect to every part if reasonably practicable.
A force majeure clause in a contract allocates the risk of loss if performance becomes impossible or impracticable as a result of an event or effect that the parties could not have anticipated or controlled.
A party relying on an express force majeure clause in a contract must provide proof that the failure to perform was proximately caused by a contingency and that, in spite of the party’s skill, diligence, and good faith, performance remains impossible or unreasonably expensive.

State v. Johns 2019 ND 227
Docket No.: 20180431
Filing Date: 8/26/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Drugs/Contraband
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: A completed deferred imposition of sentence that has resulted in dismissal of the charge involving a prior conviction under N.D.C.C. title 19-03.4 can not be used to enhance a subsequent charge of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

Plains Trucking, LLC v. Cresap, et al. 2019 ND 226
Docket No.: 20190014
Filing Date: 8/22/2019
Case Type: Original Proceeding - Civil - Writ of Supervision
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: The supreme court exercises its authority to issue supervisory writs rarely and cautiously, and only to rectify errors and prevent injustice in extraordinary cases in which there is no adequate alternative remedy.

When a worker is an employee, the Workforce Safety and Insurance Act generally provides the exclusive remedy for the employee who suffers a compensable injury.

Workforce Safety and Insurance must make the initial determination that an employer has misrepresented the amount of payroll upon which its premium is based before an employee may pursue the dual remedy of a civil action.

Plains Trucking, LLC v. Hagar, et al. 2019 ND 226
Docket No.: 20190022
Filing Date: 8/22/2019
Case Type: Original Proceeding - Civil - Writ of Supervision
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: The supreme court exercises its authority to issue supervisory writs rarely and cautiously, and only to rectify errors and prevent injustice in extraordinary cases in which there is no adequate alternative remedy.

When a worker is an employee, the Workforce Safety and Insurance Act generally provides the exclusive remedy for the employee who suffers a compensable injury.

Workforce Safety and Insurance must make the initial determination that an employer has misrepresented the amount of payroll upon which its premium is based before an employee may pursue the dual remedy of a civil action.

Baker v. Baker 2019 ND 225
Docket No.: 20190048
Filing Date: 8/22/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: On a motion to modify primary residential responsibility, a district court must accept the truth of the moving party’s allegations unless an opposing affidavit conclusively establishes the movant’s allegations have no credibility.

Under N.D.R.App.P. 30(a)(1), only items in the record may be included in the appendix.

City of Bismarck v. Vagts 2019 ND 224
Docket No.: 20190026
Filing Date: 8/22/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - DUI/DUS/APC
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: A law enforcement officer’s approach of a parked vehicle is not a seizure if the officer inquires of the occupant in a conversational manner, does not order the person do something, and does not demand a response.

An officer’s encounter with a person may lead to a seizure if the officer learns something during the encounter that leads to a reasonable suspicion of criminal activity and that reasonably justifies further investigation, a seizure, or an arrest.

The results of a chemical test are not admissible in a criminal proceeding if an officer does not substantively comply with the applicable statutory requirements of the implied consent advisory.

Kalmio v. State 2019 ND 223
Docket No.: 20190051
Filing Date: 8/22/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: Whether a petitioner received ineffective assistance of counsel is a mixed question of law and fact and is fully reviewable on appeal. Under N.D.R.Civ.P. 52(a), the district court’s findings of fact will not be disturbed on appeal unless clearly erroneous.

To show prejudice for ineffective assistance of counsel in a direct appeal, there must be a reasonable probability the appellate counsel’s errors changed the result of the direct appeal.

Absent specific instructions, a district court deciding an issue on remand must exercise its discretion when determining the procedure to follow. A district court’s decision whether to take additional evidence will be reversed only if the court abused its discretion.

State v. Hoehn 2019 ND 222
Docket No.: 20180400
Filing Date: 8/22/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Homicide
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: For a defendant to qualify as a dangerous special offender, the prior and current offenses must be similar. To determine whether two offenses are similar, the court must compare the elements of the two statutes and may also compare the conduct underlying the two offenses. If neither the elements nor the facts of the prior offense are similar to those of the current offense, the defendant does not qualify as a dangerous special offender.

Nelson, et al. v. Nelson, et al. 2019 ND 221
Docket No.: 20180421
Filing Date: 8/22/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: A district court has broad discretion to impose sanctions for discovery abuses, including striking pleadings or dismissing claims.
The district court has inherent authority to award attorney’s fees as a sanction for a litigant’s misconduct.
The district court’s valuation of a partnership that is within the range of evidence presented to the court is not clearly erroneous.

WSI v. Taylor, et al. 2019 ND 220
Docket No.: 20190059
Filing Date: 8/22/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Workers Compensation
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: Courts must construe statutes to give meaning to them in their entirety if possible.

A functional capacity evaluation is “valid” for purposes of N.D.C.C. § 65-05.1-01(6) if the employee gives a maximum consistent effort during the examination.

North Dakota Private Investigative and Security Board v. TigerSwan, LLC, et al. 2019 ND 219
Docket No.: 20180338
Filing Date: 8/22/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: A district court’s denial of a request for additional time for discovery will not be overturned on appeal unless the court abused its discretion.
The granting of injunctive relief is equitable in nature and rests in the sound discretion of the district court, and we will not reverse a court’s ruling on injunctive relief unless that discretion has been abused.
Words in a statute are given their plain, ordinary and commonly understood meaning.
A claim for relief is frivolous if there is such a complete absence of facts or law a reasonable person could not have expected a court would render a judgment in that person’s favor.

State v. Kenny 2019 ND 218
Docket No.: 20190030
Filing Date: 8/22/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Misdemeanor
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: The constitutionality of a statute is a question of law, and the statute will be upheld unless its challenger can demonstrate the statute’s unconstitutionality. The doctrine of overbreadth prohibits a law from criminalizing constitutionally protected activity.
A temporary restraining order, which may be issued ex parte without a hearing, is a species of injunction, typically brief in duration, that has as its purpose maintaining the status quo until a determination can be made on the temporary injunction issue.
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.

In re Anderson 2019 ND 217
Docket No.: 20180424
Filing Date: 8/22/2019
Case Type: Certified Question - Civil - Civil
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: The Court answers a certified question from the Federal Bankruptcy Court regarding the application of the homestead exemption as applied to property held in joint tenancy by debtor and nondebtor spouse.

State v. Casson 2019 ND 216
Docket No.: 20190028
Filing Date: 8/22/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Drugs/Contraband
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: Although a law enforcement officer’s encounter with the occupant of a vehicle and indication that a K-9 unit would be called to “sniff” the vehicle was a seizure, the intrusion of the occupant’s Fourth Amendment rights was warranted and scope of the intrusion was reasonably related to the circumstances which justified the intrusion.

State v. Poulor 2019 ND 215
Docket No.: 20190017
Filing Date: 8/22/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Sexual Offense
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: The admission into evidence of a witness’s out-of-court testimonial statements does not violate the Confrontation Clause if a defendant has an opportunity to cross-examine a witness at trial.

Rule 803(24), N.D.R.Ev., provides an exception to the rule against hearsay for a child’s statement about sexual abuse, regardless of whether the declarant is available as a witness.

A conviction will be reversed on appeal on the ground of insufficient evidence only if, after viewing the evidence and all reasonable inferences in the light most favorable to the verdict, no rational factfinder could have found the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Chase v. State 2019 ND 214
Docket No.: 20190023
Filing Date: 8/22/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: Applicant alleging ineffective assistance of post-conviction counsel cannot circumvent the Uniform Postconviction Procedure Act’s bar on challenging post-conviction counsel’s representation by making his allegations in a motion rather than an application for post-conviction relief.

A N.D.R.Civ.P. 60(b)(3) motion alleging fraud by prior post-conviction counsel is without merit because an attorney representing a party is not adverse to the party.

Applicant for post-conviction relief is entitled to notice that his application may be summarily dismissed.

Disciplinary Board v. Bolinske (consolidated with 20190110) 2019 ND 213
Docket No.: 20190109
Filing Date: 8/19/2019
Case Type: Discipline - Attorney - Original Proceeding
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A lawyer is publicly reprimanded, ordered to pay partial costs of the disciplinary proceedings, and ordered to refund money to a client for violating N.D.R. Prof. Conduct 1.16(e).
Fee agreement including both a contingent fee and a non-refundable fee is not per se unreasonable under N.D.R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(a).
Rule 1.15(e), N.D.R. Prof. Conduct, requires a lawyer in possession of property in which two or more persons claim an interest to keep the disputed property separate until the dispute is resolved. The lawyer does not violate the Rule if there is no evidence he had possession of the property when he became aware of the dispute.
A lawyer is required to refund any advanced payment of fees not earned.

Chambering New District Judgeship in the SCJD 2019 ND 212
Docket No.: 20190210
Filing Date: 8/7/2019
Case Type: Judicial Administration - Rule - Rule
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: New judgeship No. 10 in the South Centeral Judicial District is chambered in Mandan.

Zuo v. Wang 2019 ND 211
Docket No.: 20180403
Filing Date: 8/6/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: A district court has wide discretion to admit or exclude evidence at trial.

Under the clearly erroneous standard of review, this Court does not reweigh the evidence or reassess the credibility of witnesses.

A district court has discretion to award past child support and its decision to award past child support will not be reversed unless the court abuses its discretion.

Kovalevich v. State (Consolidated w/ 20190025) 2019 ND 210
Docket No.: 20190024
Filing Date: 8/5/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: To prevail on a motion for a new trial on the grounds of newly discovered evidence, a defendant must show: (1) the evidence was discovered after trial, (2) the failure to learn about the evidence at the time of trial was not the result of the defendant’s lack of diligence, (3) the newly discovered evidence is material to the issues at trial, and (4) the weight and quality of the newly discovered evidence would likely result in an acquittal.

Matter of Reciprocal Discipline of Scher 2019 ND 209
Docket No.: 20190192
Filing Date: 8/1/2019
Case Type: Discipline - Attorney - Original Proceeding
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Lawyer disbarred.

Matter of Reciprocal Discipline of Rosso 2019 ND 208
Docket No.: 20190191
Filing Date: 8/1/2019
Case Type: Discipline - Attorney - Original Proceeding
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Lawyer suspended.

SWMO, LLC v. Eagle Rigid Spans Inc., et al. 2019 ND 207
Docket No.: 20180407
Filing Date: 7/31/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Contracts
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: On a motion for summary judgment, a court may not weigh the evidence, determine credibility or attempt to discern the truth of the matter.
Chapter 35-27, N.D.C.C., provides procedures for obtaining a construction lien on improvements to real property and for the enforcement of the lien.

State v. Morales 2019 ND 206
Docket No.: 20180366
Filing Date: 7/30/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Homicide
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: Denial of the Sixth Amendment right to a public trial without having considered the Waller factors is a structural error. When examining the scope of closure of a trial, special awareness should be given to whether both the public and jury must be excluded, or only the jury, and the scope should be adjusted accordingly.

Rodenburg Law Firm v. Sira, et al. 2019 ND 205
Docket No.: 20180401
Filing Date: 7/30/2019
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Torts (Negligence, Liab., Nuis.)
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: The elements of an abuse-of-process claim are an ulterior purpose and a willful act in the use of process not proper in the regular conduct of the proceeding.
To maintain an action for malicious prosecution requires a plaintiff to show the action was brought with malice.
The absence of a viable substantive claim precludes a separate claim for punitive damages.

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