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2251 - 2300 of 12382 results

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.

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