Opinions

State v. Johnson 2009 ND 167
Docket No.: 20090115
Filing Date: 9/16/2009
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - DUI/DUS/APC
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: If a person ambiguously responds to a request to submit to a chemical test, the person suffers the consequences of that ambiguity.
An affirmative refusal to submit to a chemical test must be clear and unequivocal.

Kambeitz, et al. v. Acuity Ins. Co. 2009 ND 166
Docket No.: 20090059
Filing Date: 9/16/2009
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Insurance
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: Although the failure to plead an affirmative defense generally results in waiver of the defense, amendments to the pleadings are to be freely given when justice so requires.
An insurance company cannot avoid coverage under any compulsory automobile liability insurance policy provisions after an accident when a claim against the policy is made by an injured innocent third party.
Fraud, intentional and material misrepresentation, concealment, and collusion are all generally questions of fact for the trier of fact.

State v. Vandehoven 2009 ND 165
Docket No.: 20080308
Filing Date: 9/16/2009
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - DUI/DUS/APC
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: The purpose of N.D.R.Crim.P. 11(b)(1) is to ensure the defendant understands the constitutional rights which are waived by entry of a guilty plea, to ensure a knowing and intelligent waiver of the right to counsel, and to ensure the defendant understands the maximum possible punishment and any applicable mandatory minimum punishment so he can make a knowing and intelligent decision whether to plead guilty.
If no plea agreement has been reached by the parties, N.D.R.Crim.P. 11(c)(1) creates a bright-line rule which prohibits the court from participating in any discussion of a plea agreement.

Tweeten v. Tweeten 2009 ND 164
Docket No.: 20090033
Filing Date: 9/16/2009
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: A husband and wife's decision to transfer separately owned property to themselves, as husband and wife, as joint tenants is a significant legal act, which may make a premarital agreement governing the distribution of that property inapplicable.

State v. Schmeets 2009 ND 163
Docket No.: 20080225
Filing Date: 9/16/2009
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Drugs/Contraband
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: To admit evidence of a defendant's prior convictions to establish an object is drug paraphernalia, a court must balance whether the probative value of the evidence outweighs the unfair prejudice to the defendant.

Wells Fargo Bank v. Horob, et al. 2009 ND 161
Docket No.: 20090066
Filing Date: 9/16/2009
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author:

Highlight: District court order declaring a default judgment entered by a Nebraska court is entitled to full faith and credit and enforceable in this state is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2).

Interest of S.Z. (Confidential) 2009 ND 160
Docket No.: 20090252
Filing Date: 9/16/2009
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Mental Health
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Orders requiring treatment and medication at the North Dakota State Hospital summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2).

Matter of Hicks 2009 ND 159
Docket No.: 20090058
Filing Date: 9/16/2009
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Civil Commitment of Sexually Dangerous Individual
Author: Per Curiam

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

Disciplinary Board v. Fisher (Cross-ref. w/ 20070343, 20070344, & 20080198) 2009 ND 158
Docket No.: 20090165
Filing Date: 9/4/2009
Case Type: Discipline - Attorney - Original Proceeding
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Suspension of lawyer ordered.

Industrial Contractors, Inc. v. Workforce Safety & Insurance, et al. 2009 ND 157
Docket No.: 20080275
Filing Date: 9/4/2009
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Workers Compensation
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: Courts exercise limited review in appeals from administrative agency decisions under the Administrative Agencies Practice Act.
An administrative agency's construction of a statute in administering the law is entitled to deference when that interpretation does not contradict clear and unambiguous statutory language.
The word "or" is disjunctive in nature and ordinarily indicates an alternative between different things or actions, and terms or phrases separated by "or" have separate and independent significance.
Failure of participating employer to give written notice or to properly post notice as required under the relevant statute invalidates the employer's designated medical provider selection and allows the employee to make the initial selection of a medical provider.