Opinions

EOG Resources, Inc. v. Soo Line Railroad Co., et al. 2015 ND 187
Docket No.: 20140122
Filing Date: 7/15/2015
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Oil, Gas and Minerals
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: The primary purpose in interpreting a deed is to ascertain and effectuate the grantor's intent, and if the deed is unambiguous, we determine the grantor's intent from the deed itself considering the entire instrument.
A deed conveying property to a railroad generally conveys a fee simple interest if the deed conveys a strip, piece, parcel, or tract of land and does not contain additional language limiting the conveyance or use of the land.

Interest of B.E. (CONFIDENTIAL) 2015 ND 186
Docket No.: 20150188
Filing Date: 7/13/2015
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Mental Health
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A district court order continuing treatment for six months is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2) and (3).

Kroschel v. Levi 2015 ND 185
Docket No.: 20140265
Filing Date: 7/7/2015
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Department of Transportation
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: Police officers outside of their jurisdiction generally act without official capacity and without authority to arrest.
A North Dakota State University police officer is without authority to arrest a driver operating a motor vehicle outside university property.
Litigants are entitled to recover attorney's fees against an administrative agency only when the agency acts without substantial justification.

Gackle v. N.D. Dep't of Transportation 2015 ND 184
Docket No.: 20150022
Filing Date: 7/6/2015
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Department of Transportation
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A district court judgment affirming the Department of Transportation hearing officer's suspension of driving privileges is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(7).

Dockter, et al. v. Burleigh County Board of County Commissioners 2015 ND 183
Docket No.: 20140379
Filing Date: 7/2/2015
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Administrative Proceeding
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: Spot zoning occurs when an individual lot is singled out for discriminatory or different treatment than that accorded surrounding property of a similar character and is beyond the authority of a zoning entity, absent a clear showing of a reasonable basis for different treatment.
A County Commissioners' zoning decision is a legislative function subject to limited review by a court.
A County Commissioners' zoning decision must be affirmed unless the decision is arbitrary, capricious, or unreasonable, or there is not substantial evidence supporting the decision.

Howe v. Disciplinary Board 2015 ND 182
Docket No.: 20150156
Filing Date: 7/2/2015
Case Type: Discipline - Attorney - Original Proceeding
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Lawyer reinstated and reprimanded.

State v. Lang 2015 ND 181
Docket No.: 20140332
Filing Date: 7/1/2015
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Felony
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: When considering the effects of comments made during jury selection, great faith is placed in a juror's ability to remain fair and impartial.
Motions for mistrial fall within the broad discretion of the district court and will not be reversed on appeal absent a showing that the court abused its discretion or that a manifest injustice would occur.

State v. Packineau 2015 ND 180
Docket No.: 20140353
Filing Date: 7/1/2015
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Drugs/Contraband
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: When a defendant has actual notice of a proposed additional witness before trial, the additional witness serves as a foundational witness, and the defendant does not specify any instance of actual prejudice, a district court does not abuse its discretion in admitting the testimony.
Under N.D.R.Crim.P. 16, there is no functional distinction between disclosing to an opposing party a state-owned and maintained website address specifically identifying and containing requested documents, electronically sending those same documents to defendant's counsel, or providing a physical copy.

Schlittenhart v. N.D. Dep't of Transportation 2015 ND 179
Docket No.: 20140262
Filing Date: 7/1/2015
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Department of Transportation
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: A driver's license may not be suspended or revoked without due process, which requires notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard appropriate to the nature of the case.
The department of transportation is required by statute to conduct in-person hearings and cannot unilaterally decide hearings will be conducted telephonically; however, the statute does not require in-person appearance at the hearing by the driver's attorney.

Havemeier v. N.D. Dep't of Transportation 2015 ND 178
Docket No.: 20140417
Filing Date: 7/1/2015
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Department of Transportation
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: Fair administration of an Intoxilyzer test is not established when a law enforcement officer, in violation of the approved method, prematurely terminates the testing sequence before the machine times out and no expert testimony is provided on the effect, if any, of the deviation.