Search Tips

Opinions

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.

1501 - 1550 of 12382 results

State v. Rodriguez 2020 ND 261
Docket No.: 20200004
Filing Date: 12/17/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Sexual Offense
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: A defendant cannot successfully argue their waiver of the Sixth Amendment right to counsel was not voluntary, knowing, and intelligent when the record demonstrates the defendant’s clear desire to represent himself despite an understanding of the risks therein. To challenge a conviction based on the sufficiency of the evidence on appeal, a defendant must move for a judgment of acquittal under N.D.R.Crim.P. 29 at trial. This Court may not consider whether a district court obviously erred if an appellant fails to argue obvious error on appeal.

Discover Bank v. Hornbacher 2020 ND 260
Docket No.: 20200232
Filing Date: 12/17/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Contracts
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: A stipulation providing for entry of judgment in an amount certain followed by an agreed payment schedule to avoid execution is sufficient to require a district court to enter judgment according to the stipulation.

Sather v. Sather 2020 ND 259
Docket No.: 20200137
Filing Date: 12/17/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: A divorce judgment is final if the district court adjudicates all claims in the divorce proceeding, and does not reserve disposition of an issue.

A district court errs by adopting the parties’ parenting plan without all of the information in N.D.C.C. § 14-09-30(2) being included or, after considering the best interests of the child as required by N.D.C.C. § 14-09-30(1), providing its own findings regarding the same.

Three Aces Properties v. United Rentals (North America) 2020 ND 258
Docket No.: 20200032
Filing Date: 12/17/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Real Property
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: Cost of repairs or diminution of value are both appropriate measure of damages for a breach of contract claim related to a duty to repair under a lease.

Everett v. State 2020 ND 257
Docket No.: 20200099
Filing Date: 12/17/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: Orders denying leave to file are not appealable.

Curtiss v. State 2020 ND 256
Docket No.: 20200175
Filing Date: 12/17/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: Any attempt to avoid, defeat or evade a judgment, or to deny its force and effect, in some incidental proceeding not provided for by law, with the express purpose of obtaining relief from that judgment is a collateral attack.

The Uniform Postconviction Procedure Act is the exclusive remedy for collaterally challenging the judgment of a conviction.

State v. Bolme 2020 ND 255
Docket No.: 20200090
Filing Date: 12/17/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Drugs/Contraband
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: Under the reasonable suspicion standard, an officer is not required to see a motorist violating a traffic law or rule out every potential innocent excuse for the behavior in question before stopping a vehicle for investigation.

The mere odor of marijuana, detected by a trained and experienced officer, creates a sufficient factual basis to establish probable cause.

Rentz v. BNSF Railway Co. 2020 ND 254
Docket No.: 20200074
Filing Date: 12/17/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Personal Injury
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: Rule 615, N.D.R.Ev., serves the twin purposes of (1) preventing one witness’ testimony from influencing the testimony of other witnesses; and (2) aiding in detecting false testimony and credibility issues.

The designation of a trial representative pursuant to Rule 615, N.D.R.Ev., is not equivalent to the designation of an organization representative for purpose of deposition testimony as required by Rule 30(b)(6), N.D.R.Civ.P.

A lay witness may testify to a matter to which they have personal knowledge.

The decision to grant or deny a new trial rests within the sound discretion of the trial court, and its decision will not be set aside on appeal absent an affirmative showing of a manifest abuse of discretion.

Pursuant to the “harmless error” rule, Rule 61, N.D.R.Civ.P., only errors or defects which affect substantial rights of the parties will warrant a new trial.

Kuntz v. Leiss, et al. 2020 ND 253
Docket No.: 20200119
Filing Date: 12/17/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Real Property
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: A property owner must prove actual injury to recover more than nominal damages on a trespass claim.

Failure to award nominal damages does not warrant reversal of a judgment unless a significant right or a question of costs is involved.

Pursuant to N.D.C.C. § 32-03.2-11, a party must move to amend the pleadings to claim exemplary damages.

City of Fargo v. Hofer 2020 ND 252
Docket No.: 20200041
Filing Date: 12/17/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - DUI/DUS/APC
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: A search warrant does not cure defects in an implied consent advisory if the officer is administering a chemical test under the implied consent statute.

Burgum v. Jaeger, et al. 2020 ND 251
Docket No.: 20200298
Filing Date: 11/24/2020
Case Type: Original Proceeding - Civil - Writ of Mandamus
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: Votes cast for an ineligible candidate are counted and considered a protest against the eligible candidate.
A governor’s constitutional gap-filling appointment authority does not apply when the law provides a method to fill a vacancy.
A governor’s constitutional gap-filling appointment authority only applies to vacancies in an office, not in a term.
Section 16.1-13-10, N.D.C.C., applies to vacancies occurring in the office of a member of the Legislative Assembly.

Wisham v. State 2020 ND 250
Docket No.: 20200152
Filing Date: 11/19/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: The court did not err in summarily disposing of an application for post-conviction relief after petitioner failed to respond to the State’s motion for summary disposition.

Estate of Moore 2020 ND 249
Docket No.: 20200087
Filing Date: 11/19/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Probate, Wills, Trusts
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: In a case involving expert opinions, a choice between two permissible views of the weight of the evidence is not clearly erroneous.

A district court’s decision under equitable principles will not be reversed on appeal absent an abuse of discretion.

State v. Polk 2020 ND 248
Docket No.: 20200108
Filing Date: 11/19/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Assault
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: A victim’s testimony alone is sufficient to establish all the elements of a crime.

Under North Dakota Rules of Evidence 608(b), specific instances of conduct, excluding criminal convictions under Rule 609, must be inquired into only on cross-examination for impeachment purposes.

State v. Conry 2020 ND 247
Docket No.: 20200101
Filing Date: 11/19/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Other
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: The State possesses no statutory right to appeal a restitution order in a criminal case.

State v. Richardson 2020 ND 246
Docket No.: 20200083
Filing Date: 11/19/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Felony
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Criminal conviction for felony reckless endangerment summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P 35.1(a)(3).

Christianson v. NDDOT 2020 ND 245
Docket No.: 20200114
Filing Date: 11/19/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Department of Transportation
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: The Canadian statute making it illegal to drive while intoxicated defines an offense equivalent to North Dakota’s driving under the influence offense for purposes of N.D.C.C. § 39-06-27(1). The Department has jurisdiction to suspend an operator’s license for a conviction under the Canadian statute.

A hearing officer does not fail to provide a fair and impartial hearing by holding separate administrative hearings for suspension based on a foreign administrative suspension and foreign criminal conviction.

State v. Wilkinson 2020 ND 244
Docket No.: 20200117
Filing Date: 11/19/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Sexual Offense
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Criminal conviction for gross sexual imposition is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(3).

WSI v. Oden 2020 ND 243
Docket No.: 20190242
Filing Date: 11/19/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Workers Compensation
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: Valid service of process is necessary to assert personal jurisdiction over a defendant. If a defendant challenges the court’s exercise of personal jurisdiction, the plaintiff bears the burden of proving jurisdiction exists. The plaintiff must make a prima facie showing of jurisdiction to defeat a motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction. If the court relies only on pleadings and affidavits, the court must look at the facts in the light most favorable to the plaintiff.

Although an evidentiary hearing on a motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, lack of personal jurisdiction, or insufficiency of service of process may be preferable under certain circumstances, the district court nonetheless retains wide discretion and considerable procedural leeway in deciding the motion.
A district court’s decision whether to grant jurisdictional discovery lies within its sound discretion.
WSI has full power and authority to hear and determine all questions within its jurisdiction, and its decisions are final and are entitled to the same faith and credit as a judgment of a court of record.
Accord and satisfaction is an affirmative defense to a claim. An essential element of accord and satisfaction is an agreement evidencing the parties’ mutual assent.
Except for jurisdictional matters and the taking of judicial notice, the appellate court will generally consider only those issues raised in the district court. The appellate court has discretion whether to grant a parties’ request for judicial notice on appeal.

Grengs v. Grengs 2020 ND 242
Docket No.: 20190339
Filing Date: 11/19/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: The court lacked jurisdiction to resolve a motion to set aside a judgment during a pending appeal.

Whether a stipulated agreement is enforceable will not be addressed for the first time on appeal.

The court did not abuse its discretion holding the obligor spouse in contempt for failing to secure a security interest and mortgage of a limited liability company as required by judgment.

State v. Vaagen 2020 ND 241
Docket No.: 20200006
Filing Date: 11/19/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Drugs/Contraband
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: The timely filing of a notice of appeal is mandatory and jurisdictional, and cannot be waived by the appellate court.

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

Krolik v. Muscha 2020 ND 240
Docket No.: 20200085
Filing Date: 11/19/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: Failure to observe proper hearing date provided in notice of hearing cannot be imputed to the district court.

Interest of K.R.C.W. (CONFIDENTIAL) 2020 ND 239
Docket No.: 20200246
Filing Date: 11/19/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Juvenile - Termination of Parental Rights
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A juvenile court may terminate parental rights solely on a finding of deprivation when the child has been in foster care for at least four hundred fifty out of the previous six hundred sixty nights.

Burden v. State 2020 ND 238
Docket No.: 20200143
Filing Date: 11/19/2020
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. Gates 2020 ND 237
Docket No.: 20200154
Filing Date: 11/19/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Other
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: An appeal may be dismissed when an appellant’s brief fails to provide a court with an opportunity to meaningfully review the alleged error.

Estate of Lindvig (consolidated w/20200136) 2020 ND 236
Docket No.: 20200135
Filing Date: 11/19/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Oil, Gas and Minerals
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: Under N.D.C.C. § 47-10-23.1, a nontestamentary transfer of real property between spouses is conclusively presumed to be for consideration unless otherwise stated in writing.

The interpretation of a power of attorney is governed by its plain language unless the fiduciary relationship requires a special rule.

State, et al. v. P.K. (Confidential) 2020 ND 235
Docket No.: 20200073
Filing Date: 11/19/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Paternity
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: In a child support action brought by the State on behalf of a parent, a counterclaim by the defendant seeking a determination of primary residential responsibility is not a counterclaim against the State for purposes of N.D.R.Civ.P. 13(d).

A continuance is the proper remedy for a party claiming unfair surprise.

A court’s oral findings on the best interest factors may explain its written findings.

MDU v. Behm 2020 ND 234
Docket No.: 20200122
Filing Date: 11/19/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Real Property
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: Under the law of the case doctrine, a party cannot on a second appeal relitigate issues that were resolved in the first appeal or that would have been resolved had they been properly presented in the first appeal.

The district court has discretion to award costs and attorney’s fees in an eminent domain action.

Gooss v. Gooss, et al. 2020 ND 233
Docket No.: 20200076
Filing Date: 11/19/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: The required payment of travel expenses to exercise parenting time constitutes child support and falls under the jurisdiction of the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (“UIFSA”).

Under North Dakota’s child support guidelines, a court does not abuse its discretion when granting a downward deviation for child support based on the actual travel expenses and practices of a party.

Jundt v. NDDOT 2020 ND 232
Docket No.: 20200115
Filing Date: 11/19/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Department of Transportation
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: The implied consent requirements of N.D.C.C. § 39-20-01 do not apply when an individual consents to a chemical test.

State v. Hajicek 2020 ND 231
Docket No.: 20200071
Filing Date: 11/19/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - DUI/DUS/APC
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: Pursuant to N.D.C.C. § 44-08-20(3), a law enforcement officer acting outside of his jurisdiction may lawfully respond to a request for assistance from an officer within his jurisdiction, even if the request is solicited by the out-of-jurisdiction officer.

An issue will not be considered on appeal if the issue was not raised in the appellate brief.

Vacancy in Judgeship No. 5, Northeast Judicial District 2020 ND 230
Docket No.: 20200264
Filing Date: 11/6/2020
Case Type: Judicial Administration - Rule - Rule
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: The vacancy in Judgeship No. 5 at Cavalier and Langdon, Northeast Judicial District, will be filled in the manner provided by N.D.C.C. Chapter 27-25.

Disciplinary Board v. Hibl 2020 ND 229
Docket No.: 20200235
Filing Date: 10/29/2020
Case Type: Discipline - Attorney - Original Proceeding
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Lawyer disbarred.

Discover Bank v. Bolinske, Sr. 2020 ND 228
Docket No.: 20200098
Filing Date: 10/27/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Debtor/Creditor
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: This Court will not consider documents in a party’s appendix that did not appear in the district court’s record under N.D.R.App.P. 30(a)(1). A party is not entitled to oral argument on a motion to vacate unless they follow the requirements of N.D.R.Ct. 3.2(a)(3) and secure a time for the argument within 14 days of the request. Issues not adequately briefed will not be addressed on appeal. A party’s appearance, without a pleading showing a meritorious defense, does not protect a party from default judgment. The district court was not required under N.D.R.Civ.P. 52(a)(3) to set forth findings of fact in its order denying the motion to vacate.

Estate of Finstrom (Consolidated with 20190361) 2020 ND 227
Docket No.: 20190360
Filing Date: 10/26/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Probate, Wills, Trusts
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: Undue influence is improper influence exercised over a grantor in such a way and to such an extent as to destroy his or her voluntary action by substituting for his will the will of another.
The essential element in recovering under the doctrine of unjust enrichment is the receipt of a benefit by the defendant from the plaintiff which would be inequitable to retain without paying for its value.
Res judicata prevents relitigation of claims that were raised, or could have been raised, in prior actions between the same parties or their privies.
In an unsupervised probate, each proceeding before the court is independent of any other proceeding involving the same estate.
Testamentary capacity is examined at the time a will or codicil is executed.

Matter of Hehn 2020 ND 226
Docket No.: 20190353
Filing Date: 10/21/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Civil Commitment of Sexually Dangerous Individual
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: Civil commitment decisions require detailed findings, including credibility determinations and references to evidence the court relied on in making its decision. Conclusory, general findings do not comply with N.D.R.Civ.P. 52(a).

Titan Machinery v. Kluver 2020 ND 225
Docket No.: 20200021
Filing Date: 10/21/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Contracts
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: In a bench trial, the district court decides credibility issues, and we will not second-guess the district court on its credibility decisions.

Indemnity is an equitable remedy that allows a party to recover reimbursement from another for the payment of a liability that, as between the two parties, should have been paid by the other.

Hunter v. State 2020 ND 224
Docket No.: 20200160
Filing Date: 10/21/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: Claims barred by res judicata are not preserved in post-conviction relief proceedings by combining them with claims of ineffective assistance of counsel.

Failure to show prejudice on an ineffective assistance of counsel claim results in failure of that claim.

WSI v. Tolman 2020 ND 223
Docket No.: 20200025
Filing Date: 10/21/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Workers Compensation
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: Statutory interpretation presents a question of law. Statutory provisions are given their plain, ordinary, and commonly understood meaning unless a contrary intention plainly appears.

For purposes of WSI benefits, a compensable injury includes a mental or psychological condition caused by a physical injury, but only when the physical injury is determined with reasonable medical certainty to be at least fifty percent of the cause of the condition as compared with all other contributing causes combined, and only when the condition did not preexist the work injury.

Thiele v. Bousquet, et al. 2020 ND 222
Docket No.: 20200146
Filing Date: 10/21/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Personal Injury
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A summary judgment in a personal injury action is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(1) and (4).

Yost v. State (consolidated w/20200149-2020151) 2020 ND 221
Docket No.: 20200125
Filing Date: 10/21/2020
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).

Gonzalez v. State 2020 ND 220
Docket No.: 20200079
Filing Date: 10/21/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Per Curiam

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

State v. Lubitz 2020 ND 219
Docket No.: 20200118
Filing Date: 10/21/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Homicide
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Criminal conviction for murder summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(3) and (4).

Hoffarth v. Hoffarth 2020 ND 218
Docket No.: 20200129
Filing Date: 10/21/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Ring v. NDDHS 2020 ND 217
Docket No.: 20200072
Filing Date: 10/21/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Administrative Proceeding
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: When ruling on a motion for substitution upon a party’s death, the district court must determine whether the case was extinguished by the death, and if not, whether the party seeking substitution is the proper successor.

State v. Long 2020 ND 216
Docket No.: 20200050
Filing Date: 10/21/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - DUI/DUS/APC
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: A district court’s order denying the defendant’s motion to dismiss is affirmed.

Section 39-08-01(1)(f), N.D.C.C., which requires an individual be advised of the consequences of refusing a chemical test, is unambiguous and does not provide informing drivers of the right to refuse a chemical test.

City of Minot v. Miller 2020 ND 215
Docket No.: 20200121
Filing Date: 10/21/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - DUI/DUS/APC
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Exclusion of a chemical test through the application of N.D.C.C. § 39-20-01(b) is not an available remedy in a criminal proceeding not involving a refusal.

State v. Trefethren 2020 ND 214
Docket No.: 20200116
Filing Date: 10/21/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Felony
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Criminal judgment entered after a guilty plea is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(4) and (7).

G & D Enterprises v. Liebelt 2020 ND 213
Docket No.: 20190256
Filing Date: 10/21/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Torts (Negligence, Liab., Nuis.)
Author: Tufte, Jerod E.

Highlight: The duty which gives rise to a nuisance claim is the absolute duty not to act in a way which unreasonably interferes with other persons’ use and enjoyment of their property.

To succeed on a trespass claim, the plaintiff must establish the defendant intentionally entered the land of another, or caused a thing or third person to do so, without the consent of the landowner.

A district court’s decision granting or denying injunctive relief is equitable in nature, rests within its sound discretion, and will not be reversed on appeal absent an abuse of discretion.

Bickel v. Bickel 2020 ND 212
Docket No.: 20200026
Filing Date: 10/21/2020
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: If the district court finds certain past income is an unreliable indicator of the obligor’s future income, the court must explain why the income it utilized in determining the child support obligation was appropriate.

If the district court bases a child support obligation on an income earned in less than a 12-month period, the court must explain why it did not utilize the evidence it had to extrapolate an income for a 12-month period.

Pursuant to N.D. Admin. Code § 75-02-04.1-02(9), each child support order must include a statement of the net income of the obligor used to determine the child support obligation, and how that net income was determined.

Generally, a modification of child support should be made effective from the date of the motion to modify, absent good reason to set some other date.

If the district court grants a movant relief on a motion to compel discovery, either in whole or in part, and the movant requests attorney’s fees, the court must consider whether an award of attorney’s fees is appropriate under N.D.R.Civ.P. 37(a)(5).

Page 31 of 248