Opinions

Grand Forks Housing Authority v. Grand Forks Board of County Commissioners 2010 ND 245
Docket No.: 20100196
Filing Date: 12/21/2010
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Administrative Proceeding
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: A housing authority may agree to make payments to the state or a political subdivision in lieu of taxes, even when the property is tax-exempt.
A board of county commissioners does not act arbitrarily, capriciously, or unreasonably when substantial evidence supports its factual findings.
A district court does not abuse its discretion by denying a motion to remand for additional evidence when the party seeking remand had the opportunity, but failed to present such additional evidence at the hearing before the local governing body and when such additional evidence is not material to the district court's review of the local governing body's decision.

State v. Franzen 2010 ND 244
Docket No.: 20100105
Filing Date: 12/21/2010
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Drugs/Contraband
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: The continued seizure of a traffic violator after the purposes of the initial traffic stop are completed violates the Fourth Amendment unless the officer has reasonable suspicion for believing criminal activity is afoot.
The use of a masking odor and extreme nervousness are relevant factors in deciding whether reasonable suspicion exists.

Pizza Corner v. C.F.L. Transport 2010 ND 243
Docket No.: 20100084
Filing Date: 12/21/2010
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Contracts
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: The business records exception to the hearsay rule can apply to a document created by a third party if the offering company integrated the record into its own records and relied on it, and if the record meets the other requirements of N.D.R.Ev. 803(6).

City of Grand Forks v. Riemers 2010 ND 242
Docket No.: 20100107
Filing Date: 12/21/2010
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Misdemeanor
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Conviction for driving without liability insurance summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(3) and (4).

In the Interest of Voisine 2010 ND 241
Docket No.: 20100163
Filing Date: 12/21/2010
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Civil Commitment of Sexually Dangerous Individual
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Civil commitment of a sexually dangerous individual summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2).

State v. Miller 2010 ND 240
Docket No.: 20100127
Filing Date: 12/21/2010
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Theft
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Criminal judgment for unlawfully acting in the capacity of a contractor and two counts of theft of property summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(3) and (7).

State v. Foss 2010 ND 239
Docket No.: 20100151
Filing Date: 12/21/2010
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Drugs/Contraband
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Criminal judgment for possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(3).

Cody v. State 2010 ND 238
Docket No.: 20100177
Filing Date: 12/21/2010
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Per Curiam

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

Gajewski v. State, et al. 2010 ND 237
Docket No.: 20100231
Filing Date: 12/21/2010
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Constitutional Law
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Order denying motion to vacate judgment summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(1) and (4).

Cavendish Farms v. Mathiason Farms (consolidated w/20100123) 2010 ND 236
Docket No.: 20090380
Filing Date: 12/14/2010
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Contracts
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: Although N.D.C.C. 41-01-18 does not authorize a separate, independent claim for relief for breach of the duty of good faith, a failure to perform or enforce a contractual duty or obligation in good faith constitutes a breach of the contract.
A contract to purchase a future crop is a contract for the sale of goods under N.D.C.C. tit. 41, even if the crop has not yet been planted.
When one party is given substantial discretion in its manner of performance of a duty or exercise of a right under a contract, N.D.C.C. 41-01-18 requires that the party exercise that discretion in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner.
An award of damages that is within the range of the evidence presented will be sustained on appeal.