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On this page, you can search and view the Supreme Court’s opinions. If you wish to review the docket or documents filed in a matter, please go to the Court’s public portal search page.

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Wheeler v. Burgum 2018 ND 109
Docket No.: 20170444
Filing Date: 5/8/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: Because the Governor does not directly supervise or train the officials and staff of the North Dakota State Penitentiary, he cannot be held liable in his official capacity under 42 U.S.C. section 1983 for a failure of such action.

Krueger v. N.D. Dep't of Transportation 2018 ND 108
Docket No.: 20170425
Filing Date: 5/8/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Department of Transportation
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: A county deputy in fresh pursuit may enter another county to make an arrest if obtaining the aid of officers having jurisdiction would cause a delay permitting escape.
North Dakota law does not prohibit law enforcement from administering more than one chemical test to determine blood alcohol content.

Interest of F.M.G. (CONFIDENTIAL) 2018 ND 107
Docket No.: 20180139
Filing Date: 5/8/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Mental Health
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A district court's order for continuing treatment at the North Dakota State Hospital for a period not to exceed one year is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2).

Interest of R.C. (CONFIDENTIAL) 2018 ND 106
Docket No.: 20180090
Filing Date: 5/8/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Juvenile - Termination of Parental Rights
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: An appeal from a juvenile court order terminating parental rights is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2).

Interest of A.H. (CONFIDENTIAL) 2018 ND 105
Docket No.: 20180107
Filing Date: 5/8/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Juvenile - Termination of Parental Rights
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: An appeal from a juvenile court order terminating parental rights is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2).

State v. Parks 2018 ND 104
Docket No.: 20170462
Filing Date: 5/8/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Drugs/Contraband
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: An amended criminal judgment for possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2) and (7).

Disciplinary Board v. Popper 2018 ND 102
Docket No.: 20180113
Filing Date: 5/3/2018
Case Type: Discipline - Attorney - Original Proceeding
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Lawyer reprimanded.

CHS Inc. v. Riemers 2018 ND 101
Docket No.: 20170331
Filing Date: 4/17/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: Attorney's fees and costs may be awarded under N.D.C.C. 28-26-01(2) whether or not they are also available under N.D.R.Civ.P. 11.
Attorney's fees and costs may be assessed under N.D.C.C. 28-26-01(2) for a frivolous motion.
Post-judgment interest can accrue on a judgment that includes prejudgment costs and interest.
Unless an exception applies, a judgment or order entered in the district court, after the Supreme Court obtains jurisdiction, is void for lack of jurisdiction.

State v. Cook 2018 ND 100
Docket No.: 20170269
Filing Date: 4/12/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Drugs/Contraband
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: To satisfy the requirement of authenticating or identifying an item of evidence, the proponent must produce evidence sufficient to support a finding that the item is what the proponent claims it is. N.D.R.Ev. 901(a).
Statutes are not retroactive unless expressly declared so by the legislature, noting an exception for ameliorating penal legislation. A statute cannot apply retroactively when it becomes effective after a person has been finally convicted otherwise it would constitute an invalid exercise by the legislature of the executive pardoning power.
A district court is allowed a wide range of discretion in fixing a criminal sentence. Appellate review of a criminal sentence is generally limited to whether the district court acted within sentencing limits prescribed by statute, or substantially relied upon an impermissible factor.

Nelson, et al. v. Mattson, et al. (consolidated w/20170287) 2018 ND 99
Docket No.: 20170286
Filing Date: 4/10/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Foreclosure
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: Joint ventures can own property similarly to partnerships.
In determining whether property is owned by a partnership or is individually-owned by a partner, the district court must rely on the intention of the partners.
A voluntary payment made under a mutual mistake of law precludes recovery of that payment.

Rath v. Rath 2018 ND 98
Docket No.: 20170419
Filing Date: 4/10/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: A claim for relief is frivolous only if there is such a complete absence of actual facts or law a reasonable person could not have expected a court would render a judgment in that person's favor.
The authority to issue supervisory writs is exercised rarely and cautiously, and only to rectify errors and prevent injustice in extraordinary cases in which there is no adequate alternative remedy.

Rocky Mountain Steel Foundations, Inc. v. Brockett Company, LLC, et al. 2018 ND 96
Docket No.: 20170407
Filing Date: 4/10/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Oil, Gas and Minerals
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: An owner's full payment of the general contractor after receipt of notice of a subcontractor's oil and gas construction lien does not invalidate the subcontractor's lien.
In an action to enforce an oil and gas construction lien, the party for whom judgment is rendered is entitled to recover reasonable attorney fees

State v. Gunn 2018 ND 95
Docket No.: 20170138
Filing Date: 4/10/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Sexual Offense
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: The criminal attempt statute does not require that the underlying offense be committed.
Speech integral to a crime is not protected by the First Amendment.

Olson v. N.D. Dep't of Transportation 2018 ND 94
Docket No.: 20170351
Filing Date: 4/10/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Department of Transportation
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: The revocation of driving privileges for refusal to submit to chemical testing requires a valid arrest.
In the absence of authority from Congress, the State lacks criminal jurisdiction over crimes committed by non-member Indians on tribal land.
Whether an officer has jurisdiction to arrest depends on the law of the place where the arrest is made.

State v. Wilder 2018 ND 93
Docket No.: 20170187
Filing Date: 4/10/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Homicide
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: A comment on the defendant's post-arrest silence is an improper comment on the right to remain silent in violation of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution.
The statutory sentencing provisions do not authorize the sentencing court to order no contact as part of a prison sentence.

State v. Rutherford 2018 ND 91
Docket No.: 20170370
Filing Date: 4/10/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Felony
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A district court's criminal judgment ordering restitution is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(4).

Interest of R.F. (CONFIDENTIAL) 2018 ND 90
Docket No.: 20180110
Filing Date: 4/10/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Mental Health
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A district court's order for continued treatment at the North Dakota State Hospital for a period not to exceed one year is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2).

Interest of S.B. (Consolidated w/20180057)(CONFIDENTIAL) 2018 ND 89
Docket No.: 20180056
Filing Date: 4/10/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Juvenile - Termination of Parental Rights
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: An appeal from a juvenile court order terminating parental rights is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2).

Thorstad v. State 2018 ND 88
Docket No.: 20170427
Filing Date: 4/10/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Summary dismissal of an application for post-conviction relief is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(6) and (7).

State v. Ali 2018 ND 87
Docket No.: 20170378
Filing Date: 4/10/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Sexual Offense
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Warrantless, limited entry by a police officer into an open garage does not violate a defendant's federal or state constitutional rights under the hot pursuit exception to the warrant requirement.

Brekhus v. N.D. Dep't of Transportation 2018 ND 86
Docket No.: 20170296
Filing Date: 4/10/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Department of Transportation
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Warrantless, limited entry by a police officer into an open garage does not violate a defendant's federal or state constitutional rights under the hot pursuit exception to the warrant requirement.

Grasser v. Grasser 2018 ND 85
Docket No.: 20170188
Filing Date: 3/29/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: A motion for recusal and a demand for a change of judge are two separate motions. Unlike a demand under N.D.C.C. 29-15-21, a district court judge is not immediately divested of authority upon the filing of a motion to recuse. While a judge has a duty to recuse when required by the Code of Judicial Conduct, a judge also has an equally strong duty not to recuse when the facts do not require recusal.
An order finding a person guilty of contempt is a final order for purposes of appeal under N.D.C.C. 27-10-01.3(3). A district court's decision to impose sanctions under N.D.R.Civ.P. 11 rests within the sound discretion of the court and it will not be overturned on appeal unless the court has abused its discretion.
A district court's decisions on child custody, including an initial award of custody, are treated as findings of fact and will not be set aside on appeal unless clearly erroneous. This Court will not reweigh the evidence or reassess the credibility of witnesses, and we will not retry a custody case or substitute our judgment for a district court's initial custody decision merely because we might have reached a different result.
It is well-established that a property distribution does not need to be equal to be equitable, but a substantial disparity must be explained so as to provide some indication of the rationale of the district court in distributing the property.

City of Bismarck v. Brekhus (consolidated w/20170166 & 20170167) 2018 ND 84
Docket No.: 20170165
Filing Date: 3/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Drugs/Contraband
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: A police officer's warrantless, limited entry into a defendant's open garage while in "hot pursuit" does not violate the defendant's rights under either the federal or state constitutions.

J.B., et al. v. R.B. 2018 ND 83
Docket No.: 20180018
Filing Date: 3/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Solwey v. Solwey 2018 ND 82
Docket No.: 20170379
Filing Date: 3/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: The effective date for a modification of child support depends upon the facts of each case. The modification generally should be made effective from the date of the motion to modify, absent good reason to set some other date.
If the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that a child is of sufficient maturity to make a sound judgment, the court may give substantial weight to the preference of the mature child. The maturity of the child is a factually driven issue and will depend on the facts and circumstances of the case.

Carlson v. State 2018 ND 81
Docket No.: 20170252
Filing Date: 3/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: An application for post-conviction relief must be filed within two years of the date the conviction becomes final under N.D.C.C. 29-32.1-01(2).
There are three exceptions to the two-year limitation for an application for post-conviction relief: (1) newly discovered evidence, (2) petitioner establishes that the petitioner suffered from a physical disability or mental disease that precluded timely assertion of the application for relief, and (3) petitioner asserts a new interpretation of federal or state constitutional or statutory law that is retroactively applicable to the petitioner's case. See N.D.C.C. 29-32.1-01(3)(b).

Arnegard, et al. v. Arnegard Township 2018 ND 80
Docket No.: 20170242
Filing Date: 3/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: Zoning ordinances and amendments are valid if a township follows the statutory procedures. A conditional use permit does not by itself create a contract between a township and a landowner.
A township has no duty to disclose validly enacted zoning ordinances or amendments beyond the notice and filing procedures provided by statute.Zoning ordinances and amendments are valid if a township follows the statutory procedures. A conditional use permit does not by itself create a contract between a township and a landowner. A township has no duty to disclose validly enacted zoning ordinances or amendments beyond the notice and filing procedures provided by statute. A claim of constitutional due process violation first requires a protected property interest created by an independent source of law.Zoning ordinances and amendments are valid if a township follows the statutory procedures. A conditional use permit does not by itself create a contract between a township and a landowner. A township has no duty to disclose validly enacted zoning ordinances or amendments beyond the notice and filing procedures provided by statute. A claim of constitutional due process violation first requires a protected property interest created by an independent source of law.Zoning ordinances and amendments are valid if a township follows the statutory procedures. A conditional use permit does not by itself create a contract between a township and a landowner. A township has no duty to disclose validly enacted zoning ordinances or amendments beyond the notice and filing procedures provided by statute.Zoning ordinances and amendments are valid if a township follows the statutory procedures. A conditional use permit does not by itself create a contract between a township and a landowner. A township has no duty to disclose validly enacted zoning ordinances or amendments beyond the notice and filing procedures provided by statute.
A claim of constitutional due process violation first requires a protected property interest created by an independent source of law.
A claim of constitutional due process violation first requires a protected property interest created by an independent source of law. A claim of constitutional due process violation first requires a protected property interest created by an independent source of law.

Berg v. Berg 2018 ND 79
Docket No.: 20170336
Filing Date: 3/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Divorce - Property
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: A district court does not clearly err in dividing property and awarding spousal support when it considers the Ruff-Fischer factors and adequately explains its findings regarding property division and spousal support.

State v. Terrill 2018 ND 78
Docket No.: 20170309
Filing Date: 3/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Drugs/Contraband
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: Constructive possession of drug paraphernalia is sufficient probable cause to arrest. Constructive possession can be inferred from the totality of the circumstances including (1) an accused's presence in the place where a controlled substance is found; (2) his proximity to the place where it is found; and (3) the fact the controlled substance was found in plain view.
A search incident to arrest applies where an officer has probable cause prior to conducting the search, and the arrest is substantially contemporaneous to the search.

Chatman v. State 2018 ND 77
Docket No.: 20170384
Filing Date: 3/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: An application for post-conviction relief based on newly discovered evidence must be supported by competent, admissible evidence.
An applicant must move for leave and show good cause to use the discovery process in post-conviction relief proceedings.
An application for post-conviction relief generally may not raise claims that could have been addressed in earlier proceedings.

Interest of T.S.C. (CONFIDENTIAL)(Consolidated w/20180053 & 20180054) 2018 ND 76
Docket No.: 20180052
Filing Date: 3/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Juvenile - Termination of Parental Rights
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: An untimely notice of appeal leaves the Supreme Court without jurisdiction to consider the appeal.

State v. Sauter 2018 ND 75
Docket No.: 20170339
Filing Date: 3/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Homicide
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: A warrantless blood-alcohol test is unreasonable unless it falls within a recognized exception to the warrant requirement. A warrantless blood-alcohol test may be justified under the exigent circumstances exception to the warrant requirement.

State v. Redtomahawk 2018 ND 74
Docket No.: 20170353
Filing Date: 3/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Theft
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Criminal judgment for robbery is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(3).

State v. Mbulu 2018 ND 73
Docket No.: 20170341
Filing Date: 3/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Felony
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Criminal convictions for conspiracy to commit gross sexual imposition, accomplice to gross sexual imposition, conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(3) and (4).

Petition of Bolinske 2018 ND 72
Docket No.: 20170333
Filing Date: 3/20/2018
Case Type: Discipline - Attorney - Original Proceeding
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: An attorney subject to disciplinary proceedings is entitled to procedural due process, including fair notice of the nature of the charges and an opportunity to be heard.

Larimore Public School District No. 44, et al. v. Aamodt, et al. 2018 ND 71
Docket No.: 20170258
Filing Date: 3/19/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Torts (Negligence, Liab., Nuis.)
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: The statutory cap on tort damages recoverable from a political subdivision does not violate the open court, jury trial, equal protection, or special law provisions of the state constitution.

Melendez v. Horning III, et al. 2018 ND 70
Docket No.: 20170183
Filing Date: 3/8/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: Nonsignatories to arbitration agreement may compel signatories to the agreement to arbitrate under some circumstances.
Arbitration clauses are construed under principles for contract interpretation in view of public policy favoring arbitration.

Parshall v. State 2018 ND 69
Docket No.: 20170301
Filing Date: 3/8/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: Plea agreements are interpreted according to general contract principles.
A district court's interpretation of a contract may be examined independently on review for error.

Owego Township v. Pfingsten 2018 ND 68
Docket No.: 20170190
Filing Date: 3/8/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: A township's determination or award of damages must be appealed within thirty days of filing under N.D.C.C. §§ 24-07-22 and 28-34-01.

Estate of Albrecht 2018 ND 67
Docket No.: 20170087
Filing Date: 3/8/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Probate, Wills, Trusts
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: An estate's motion for summary judgment satisfies the statutory requirement that a proceeding on a claim be commenced within sixty days after the personal representative mailed the notice of disallowance.
An individual who consents to a final decree of divorce is not a surviving spouse even if the final decree of divorce is determined to not be valid.
A request for a remedial sanction for contempt may be raised within the proceeding to which the alleged improper conduct is related.
A court has equitable power to order a return to the status quo when a party violating a temporary restraining order has died.
The assertion of an independent claim for economic waste outside of a divorce proceeding is inappropriate.

Yahnke v. State 2018 ND 66
Docket No.: 20170185
Filing Date: 3/8/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A district court's order denying Yahnke's post-conviction relief application is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2) and (7).

Carroll v. Carroll (cross-reference w/20160190) 2018 ND 65
Docket No.: 20170292
Filing Date: 3/8/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: An amended divorce judgment entered on remand and an order reducing child support obligation are summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2) and (4).

Huft v. Huft 2018 ND 64
Docket No.: 20170432
Filing Date: 3/8/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Order granting disorderly conduct restraining order is summarily reversed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(b).

James Vault & Precast Co., et al. v. B&B Hot Oil Service, Inc., et al. 2018 ND 63
Docket No.: 20170130
Filing Date: 3/1/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: In a multi-claim or a multi-party lawsuit with some adjudicated claims, the Supreme Court will not exercise appellate jurisdiction in cases in which parties voluntarily dismiss without prejudice all remaining unadjudicated claims with an intent to circumvent the requirements of N.D.R.Civ.P. 54(b) and artificially manufacture finality for purposes of appellate jurisdiction.

Riddle v. Riddle 2018 ND 62
Docket No.: 20170233
Filing Date: 2/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Divorce - Property
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: Under the plain language of N.D.R.Civ.P. 59(b)(1), an irregularity in the proceeding must result from an action "of the court, jury, or adverse party, or any court order or abuse of discretion that prevented a party from having a fair trial."
Under N.D.R.Civ.P. 59(b)(4), evidence is not newly discovered merely because it was not presented to the court in the first instance if it was discoverable before trial.
Due process does not require a court to ensure a litigant's presence at a civil proceeding.
An ineffective assistance of counsel claim is a procedural remedy reserved for those who are statutorily or constitutionally guaranteed right to counsel.

State v. Kremer 2018 ND 61
Docket No.: 20170198
Filing Date: 2/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Sexual Offense
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: Self-represented parties should not be treated differently nor allowed any more or any less consideration than parties represented by counsel. "Property" subject to forfeiture includes noncontraband computer files as well as contraband computer files contained on an electronic device.
The possibility a defendant might use otherwise unforfeitable property in an unlawful manner after completion of his criminal sentence does not render the property forfeitable.
Issues not raised in the district court will not be addressed on appeal.

State v. Isom 2018 ND 60
Docket No.: 20170261
Filing Date: 2/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Assault
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: A sentence for supervised probation may not exceed the legal maximum.
Jeopardy attaches when a jury is empaneled and then sworn to hear the case.
Evidence is sufficient if it allows the jury to draw an inference reasonably tending to prove guilt and fairly warranting a conviction when viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict.

Koenig v. State 2018 ND 59
Docket No.: 20170253
Filing Date: 2/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: A defendant's statutory right to a speedy trial must be made within the 14-day window following arraignment.
Evaluating a defendant's constitutional right to a speedy trial requires balancing four factors: length of the delay, reason for the delay, proper assertion of the right, and actual prejudice to the accused.
A court may summarily dismiss an application for post-conviction relief under N.D.C.C. § 29-32.1-09 if there are no genuine issues of material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.

State, et al. v. White 2018 ND 58
Docket No.: 20170263
Filing Date: 2/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: Relief from a final order or judgment under N.D.R.Civ.P. 60(b) should be granted only when extraordinary circumstances are present.
A N.D.R.Civ.P. 60(b) motion should not be used to relieve a party from free, calculated, and deliberate choices, and a party is obligated to take legal steps to protect his or her own interests.

Sauter v. Miller, et al. 2018 ND 57
Docket No.: 20170260
Filing Date: 2/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Real Property
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: The right to ownership of land and passage of title, as a consequence of adverse possession or acquiescence, occur when the statutory period for possession has been satisfied.
The continuous possession requirement for adverse possession and acquiescence is not disturbed by a nonacquiescent action that brings rise to the quiet title action.

State v. Rende 2018 ND 56
Docket No.: 20170144
Filing Date: 2/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Assault
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: A district court's use of jury instructions that fail to include every element of the offense is error. However, that error is waived if defendant invited the error by submitting proposed instructions that also failed to include every element of the offense and if the defendant failed to object to the instructions at trial.
It is a cardinal rule of appellate review that a party may not challenge as error a ruling or other trial proceeding invited by that party. A party may not take advantage of irregularities in the proceedings unless he objects at the time they occur, allowing the district court to take appropriate action.

Snider, et al. v. Dickinson Elks Building, LLC 2018 ND 55
Docket No.: 20170284
Filing Date: 2/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Real Property
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: Under N.D.C.C. § 43-07-02, a contractor is precluded from bringing any claims, suits, or actions related to the contractor's business or capacity as a contractor for periods when the contractor was not licensed.

Comes v. State 2018 ND 54
Docket No.: 20170346
Filing Date: 2/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: Affirmative defenses, including statutes of limitations, are waived if not pleaded.
An issue is not ripe for review if it depends on future contingencies which, although they might occur, necessarily may not, thus making addressing the question premature.

Tuhy v. Tuhy 2018 ND 53
Docket No.: 20170214
Filing Date: 2/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: In a divorce, property division need not be equal to be equitable, but a substantial disparity must be explained.
An award of spousal support is a finding of fact which will not be set aside on appeal unless clearly erroneous.
When an award of attorney's fees is not raised in a motion for a new trial, it cannot be raised on appeal.

State v. Fleckenstein 2018 ND 52
Docket No.: 20170276
Filing Date: 2/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - DUI/DUS/APC
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: Law enforcement's reading of the implied consent advisory does not render consent to a blood test per se involuntary. Involuntariness must be examined under the totality of the circumstances.

State v. Rolfson 2018 ND 51
Docket No.: 20170225
Filing Date: 2/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - DUI/DUS/APC
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: District court decisions regarding discovery violations are reviewed under the abuse of discretion standard.
A defendant is in a weak position to assert prejudice from the prosecution's failure to produce requested documents or other materials under N.D.R.Crim.P. 16 when the defendant had other available means to obtain the requested material.

Blackcloud v. State 2018 ND 50
Docket No.: 20170312
Filing Date: 2/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: A district court does not err in denying a petitioner's application for post-conviction relief based on ineffective assistance of counsel when counsel's performance did not fall below an objective standard of reasonableness.
A district court does not abuse its discretion when it excludes evidence, which trial counsel was not previously aware of, in an evidentiary hearing on post-conviction relief based on ineffective assistance of counsel.

City of Bismarck v. Weisz 2018 ND 49
Docket No.: 20170191
Filing Date: 2/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - DUI/DUS/APC
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: Law enforcement officers do not need to physically see a suspect in a vehicle for that individual to be arrested for being in actual physical control of a vehicle while intoxicated.
Circumstantial evidence of actual physical control is sufficient.

Rebenitsch v. Rebenitsch 2018 ND 48
Docket No.: 20170302
Filing Date: 2/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: When determining the best interests of a child, a district court may properly consider past behavior to determine whether a person may significantly affect a child's best interests in the future.
A district court does not clearly err by considering a child's anxiety and behavioral changes caused by a parent moving when deciding primary residential responsibility.

Winnie Development, LLLP, v. Reveling, et al. 2018 ND 47
Docket No.: 20170149
Filing Date: 2/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Real Property
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: A plat containing a dedication which does not strictly conform to the statute will not transfer fee title to the public.
An imperfectly made statutory dedication may transfer an interest in land by common-law dedication if intent to dedicate and acceptance by the public exist.

State v. Groce 2018 ND 46
Docket No.: 20170285
Filing Date: 2/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Assault
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: A district court's ruling on a motion to quash a subpoena under Rule 17(c)(2), N.D.R.Crim.P., is reviewed for abuse of discretion.

State v. Bruce 2018 ND 45
Docket No.: 20170226
Filing Date: 2/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Homicide
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: N.D. Const. art. I, § 25(4), specifically allows a parent to exercise a victim's rights under § 25(1) for a deceased child.
A district court has wide discretion in setting the amount of restitution, and the district court does not abuse its discretion by awarding restitution that is within the range of reasonableness.
The district court does not abuse its discretion by awarding restitution when a defendant may not currently possess the means to pay, but will be able to pay in the future.

State v. Newman 2018 ND 44
Docket No.: 20170306
Filing Date: 2/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Felony
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A district court judgment entered after a jury found Newman guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(3) and (4).

State v. Decker 2018 ND 43
Docket No.: 20170080
Filing Date: 2/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Misdemeanor
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: A violation of a defendant's Sixth Amendment right to a public trial may be too trivial to create structural error so long as the violation did not implicate ensuring a fair trial, reminding the prosecutor and judge of their responsibility to the accusing and the importance of their functions, encouraging witnesses to come forward, and discouraging perjury.
A jury's findings of fact will not be reweighed on appeal.

Interest of L.S. (CONFIDENTIAL)(consolidated w/ 20180007) 2018 ND 42
Docket No.: 20180006
Filing Date: 2/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Juvenile - Termination of Parental Rights
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A juvenile court's order terminating parental rights is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2).

Flemming v. Flemming 2018 ND 41
Docket No.: 20170366
Filing Date: 2/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A district court's orders granting primary residential responsibility to the mother and denying the father's motion for new trial are summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2) and (4).

Nur v. State 2018 ND 40
Docket No.: 20170349
Filing Date: 2/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Order denying defendant's application for post-conviction relief is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2) and (6).

Tarabochia v. WSI 2018 ND 39
Docket No.: 20170295
Filing Date: 2/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Workers Compensation
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A district court judgment affirming an administrative law judge's order, which affirmed Workforce Safety and Insurance's order that claimant was not entitled to disability benefits for wage loss, is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(5).

State v. Coleman 2018 ND 38
Docket No.: 20170315
Filing Date: 2/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Assault
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Criminal judgment entered after a jury found defendant guilty of aggravated assault-domestic violence is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(3) and (4).

Vacancy in Judgeship No. 4, SCJD 2018 ND 37
Docket No.: 20180025
Filing Date: 2/14/2018
Case Type: Judicial Administration - Rule - Rule
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Judgeship retained at Bismarck.

St. Alexius Medical Center v. N.D. Dep't of Human Services 2018 ND 36
Docket No.: 20170200
Filing Date: 2/1/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Administrative Proceeding
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: The agency's failure to comply with a statutory requirement to issue a decision within seventy-five days under N.D.C.C. § 50-24.1-24(5) does not terminate the agency's subject matter jurisdiction.
A provider supplying medical services to Medicaid recipients is entitled to administrative review of a denial of payment for a medical assistance claim pursuant to N.D.C.C. § 50-24.1-24.

Sanford Healthcare Accessories, LLC v. N.D. Dep't of Human Services, et al. 2018 ND 35
Docket No.: 20170238
Filing Date: 2/1/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Administrative Proceeding
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: The agency's failure to comply with the seventy-five day statutory requirement for issuing its final decision reviewing a denial of payment of a medical assistance claim under N.D.C.C. § 50-24.1-24 does not automatically invalidate the agency's decision.
A balancing test must be applied to determine whether an agency's failure to comply with a directory duty invalidates subsequent proceedings.

Innis-Smith v. Smith 2018 ND 34
Docket No.: 20170031
Filing Date: 1/26/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Divorce - Property
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: In a divorce, a district court may consider all of the parties' time together in dividing the marital property when parties live together and then marry.
On a party's motion to reopen the record to present additional evidence relating to asset values, relief may be justified in extraordinary cases when a substantial, unanticipated change in valuation of an asset occurs after trial but before distribution.

State v. Rende 2018 ND 33
Docket No.: 20170060
Filing Date: 1/25/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - DUI/DUS/APC
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: If probable cause for an arrest for driving under the influence is not an issue at trial, evidence of a preliminary breath test result is inadmissible.
A district court's denial of a motion for mistrial, after the State presented evidence of a preliminary breath test result at trial, was an abuse of discretion.

State v. Shaw (cross-reference w/20150190) 2018 ND 32
Docket No.: 20170078
Filing Date: 1/25/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Homicide
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: Before admitting evidence of a defendant's prior bad acts, a court must apply a three-part test and consider whether the probative value of the evidence outweighs its prejudicial effect.
A witness is considered unavailable if he or she refuses to testify despite a court order to do so.

State v. Brown (consolidated w/20170048, 20170049 & 20170050) 2018 ND 31
Docket No.: 20170047
Filing Date: 1/24/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - DUI/DUS/APC
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: Evidence of a defendant's actual notice of a license suspension is sufficient to support a conviction for driving under suspension.
An offense for purposes of enhancing a sentence for driving under suspension is conduct for which a term of imprisonment or a fine is authorized after a conviction.

Valeu v. Strube 2018 ND 30
Docket No.: 20170247
Filing Date: 1/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: A party moving for modification of primary residential responsibility of a child more than two years after entry of a prior order establishing residential responsibility must prove that a material change has occurred in the circumstances of the child or parties and that modification is necessary to serve the child's best interests.

Benson, et al. v. Feland Brothers Properties, et al. 2018 ND 29
Docket No.: 20170132
Filing Date: 1/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Real Property
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: Surveys are not conclusive evidence of boundary lines. While a water line may shift from time to time, it remains a valid boundary line.
The district court does not clearly err by tacking on time for purposes of adverse possession when the first adverse possessor makes improvements to the property, the second adverse possessor uses the property seasonally, and both pay taxes on the property.

Martin v. Marquee Pacific, LLC, et al. 2018 ND 28
Docket No.: 20170256
Filing Date: 1/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Foreclosure
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: The rule on joinder, N.D.R.Civ.P. 19, does not require dismissal of an action for failure to join a party in an earlier action.
A party with a single cause of action generally may not split that cause of action and maintain several lawsuits for different parts of the action.
For res judicata purposes, privity exists if one is so identified in interest with another that he or she represents the same legal right. Privity includes a person not technically a party to a judgment, but who is, nonetheless, connected with it by her interest in the prior litigation and by her right to participate therein.

Interest of C.B. (CONFIDENTIAL) 2018 ND 27
Docket No.: 20170155
Filing Date: 1/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Juvenile Law
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: Jeopardy does not attach at a pretrial motion to dismiss.
If a defendant is not required to register as a sex offender in another state, the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the United States Constitution does not prohibit North Dakota from requiring a defendant to register.

Brandt, et al. v. City of Fargo 2018 ND 26
Docket No.: 20170162
Filing Date: 1/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Administrative Proceeding
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: A district court does not have appellate jurisdiction unless authorized by statute.
An appeal is not a matter of right but a creature of statute, and no right to appeal exists unless authorized by statute.
Absent statutory authority, a city's resolution of necessity authorizing an eminent domain proceeding may not be directly appealed to the district court.

Wieland v. City of Fargo 2018 ND 26
Docket No.: 20170196
Filing Date: 1/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Administrative Proceeding
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: A district court does not have appellate jurisdiction unless authorized by statute.
An appeal is not a matter of right but a creature of statute, and no right to appeal exists unless authorized by statute.
Absent statutory authority, a city's resolution of necessity authorizing an eminent domain proceeding may not be directly appealed to the district court.

Dixon v. Dixon 2018 ND 25
Docket No.: 20170212
Filing Date: 1/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Probate, Wills, Trusts
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: A case becomes moot when, because of the lapse of time or the occurrence of events, a court is unable to render effective relief.
People may waive rights and privileges which are conferred by statute and are intended for their benefit.
Summary judgment should not be used to conduct a mini-trial of disputed fact issues.

Horvath v. State 2018 ND 24
Docket No.: 20170329
Filing Date: 1/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: Once the State moves for summary disposition in a post-conviction relief proceeding pointing out the absence of supporting evidence for the defendant's allegations, the defendant is put on notice of the issue and a minimal burden shifts to the defendant to provide some competent evidence to support the claim. If competent evidence is provided, the defendant is entitled to an evidentiary hearing.
Summary dismissal is generally inappropriate for post-conviction relief claims arguing ineffective assistance of counsel because such claims typically require development of a record in an evidentiary hearing.

Kautzman, et al. v. Doll 2018 ND 23
Docket No.: 20170232
Filing Date: 1/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: An appeal from a district court's refusal to vacate an order under Rule 60(b), N.D.R.Civ.P., does not permit the appellant to attack the underlying order from which an appeal could have been, but was not, brought.
To prevail on a motion for relief under N.D.R.Civ.P. 60(b)(6), the moving party must show exceptional circumstances exist to justify relief from the operation of the judgment or order.

Little v. Stark County Sheriff 2018 ND 22
Docket No.: 20170222
Filing Date: 1/22/2018
Case Type: Original Proceeding - Civil - Writ of Mandamus
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: Whether to issue a writ of mandamus is left to the district court's sound discretion. It is not an abuse of discretion for the district court to consider a petitioner's excessive delay in seeking remedy when denying a petition.

Thompson v. Thompson 2018 ND 21
Docket No.: 20170063
Filing Date: 1/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: Split residential responsibility is not preferred, but it is not expressly prohibited.
If the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that a child is of sufficient maturity to make a sound judgment, the court may give substantial weight to the preference of the mature child. This Court will not reweigh the evidence nor reassess the credibility of witnesses.
A district court's determination on spousal support will not be set aside for failure to explicitly state the basis for its findings if that basis can be reasonably inferred from the record.

State v. Montgomery 2018 ND 20
Docket No.: 20170192
Filing Date: 1/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - DUI/DUS/APC
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: Voluntary consent to a warrantless blood test is determined by examining the totality of the circumstances, for which the State bears the burden of proof.
A district court's decision on a motion to suppress will not be reversed if there is sufficient competent evidence fairly capable of supporting the trial court's findings and the decision is not contrary to the manifest weight of the evidence.

Campbell v. Thompson 2018 ND 19
Docket No.: 20170184
Filing Date: 1/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: Under the North Dakota Rules of Civil Procedure, the exclusive means for opening a default judgment is through a motion to vacate the judgment. On a direct appeal from a default judgment granted under N.D.R.Civ.P. 55, the standard of review is limited to whether "irregularities appear on the face of the judgment roll."

State v. Adams 2018 ND 18
Docket No.: 20170163
Filing Date: 1/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Drugs/Contraband
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: When an individual does not own the vehicle, does not assert ownership of a container within the vehicle, does not provide evidence establishing possessory interest in the container, and there are no identifying markings on the container or the contents within, the individual has no reasonable expectation of privacy in the container located in the vehicle.
A district court's decision at a preliminary hearing that probable cause existed to bind a defendant over for trial is rendered moot once the trial is held, and the defendant may not, on appeal, challenge the decision that probable cause existed.

State v. Holkesvig (consolidated with 20170267) 2018 ND 17
Docket No.: 20170266
Filing Date: 1/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Other
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: A district court order denying a defendant leave of court to file a postconviction application is not appealable.

Matter of Gomez 2018 ND 16
Docket No.: 20170159
Filing Date: 1/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Civil Commitment of Sexually Dangerous Individual
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: An expert appointed for or retained by a respondent in a sexually dangerous individual commitment proceeding is subject to the same discovery rules as other experts.
A party may waive an objection to the discoverability of an expert opinion by failing to object during discovery.

State v. Rivera (consolidated w/20170235) 2018 ND 15
Docket No.: 20170234
Filing Date: 1/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Sexual Offense
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: Class A misdemeanors involving different crimes committed against different victims on different dates can be consecutively sentenced under N.D.C.C. § 12.1-32-11(3).

Glass v. Glass 2018 ND 14
Docket No.: 20170283
Filing Date: 1/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Divorce - Property
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: Where an order terminating spousal support and an amended judgment and decree conflict, the amended judgment and decree controls.
The law of the case doctrine bars an appeal where the argument could have been brought in the first appeal.

Williams v. Williams 2018 ND 13
Docket No.: 20170152
Filing Date: 1/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: If a district court issues a disorderly conduct restraining order without addressing constitutional claims, the court generally commits a reversible error unless the Supreme Court can say with certainty the court would have issued the restraining order based solely upon the uncontested conduct.

State v. Kostelecky 2018 ND 12
Docket No.: 20170291
Filing Date: 1/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Misdemeanor
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: Article I, § 25(1)(n), N.D. Const., does not require restitution beyond what is necessary to make the victim whole.
A district court abuses its discretion if it fails to consider the facts presented to it when ordering restitution.

Continental Resources, Inc. v. P&P Industries, LLC I, et al. 2018 ND 11
Docket No.: 20160452
Filing Date: 1/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Contracts
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: A jury's special verdict will be reversed on appeal if there is an inconsistency in the verdict such that it will not support the judgment and no reconciliation is possible.

Continental Resources, Inc. v. Counce Energy BC #1, LLC 2018 ND 10
Docket No.: 20170066
Filing Date: 1/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Oil, Gas and Minerals
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: Dismissal for lack of subject matter jurisdiction is generally appropriate if the plaintiff fails to exhaust administrative remedies because failure to exhaust those remedies precludes making a claim in court.
The Industrial Commission has extremely broad and comprehensive powers, which are continuous and exclusive, to regulate oil and gas development in this state.
A judgment entered by a court without subject matter jurisdiction is void and can be vacated.

Guthmiller v. N.D. Dep't of Transportation 2018 ND 9
Docket No.: 20170300
Filing Date: 1/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Department of Transportation
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: The unambiguous language of N.D.C.C. § 39-06.2-10(15) requires the conviction, not the commission, of two serious traffic violations while operating a noncommercial motor vehicle within three years to disqualify commercial driving privileges.

Interest of Leno 2018 ND 8
Docket No.: 20170289
Filing Date: 1/22/2018
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Civil Commitment of Sexually Dangerous Individual
Author: Per Curiam

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

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