Opinions

Poseley v. Homer Township, et al. 2025 ND 4
Docket No.: 20240174
Filing Date: 1/9/2025
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Real Property
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: A judgment is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(6) and (7).

An aggrieved party must appeal a local governing body's decision rather than seek injunctive or declaratory relief against the enforcement of the decision.

Under N.D.R.Civ.P. 54(e)(2), a claim for attorney's fees not determined by the judgment must be made by motion within 21 days after notice of entry of judgment.

State v. Thompson 2025 ND 3
Docket No.: 20240117
Filing Date: 1/9/2025
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Terrorizing
Author: McEvers, Lisa K. Fair

Highlight: A district court may exclude otherwise relevant evidence if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice or confusing the issues. A court's power to exclude relevant evidence should be exercised sparingly.

Issues not raised or considered in the district court cannot be raised for the first time on appeal. However, newly raised issues may be addressed on appeal if the issue rises to the level of obvious error. The discretion to notice obvious error in an appeal when the defendant does not raise the issue of obvious error need not be exercised, because it is the defendant's burden to show an obvious error that affects a substantial right.

The scope of cross-examination is within the district court's discretion, the propriety of which will not be disturbed on appeal absent an abuse of discretion. Reasonable limits may be placed on a defendant's cross-examination, including the exclusion of irrelevant evidence.

Tiah v. State 2025 ND 2
Docket No.: 20240216
Filing Date: 1/9/2025
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: An amended judgment denying applications for postconviction relief is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2).

Tiah v. State 2025 ND 2
Docket No.: 20240217
Filing Date: 1/9/2025
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: An amended judgment denying applications for postconviction relief is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2).

Tiah v. State 2025 ND 2
Docket No.: 20240218
Filing Date: 1/9/2025
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: An amended judgment denying applications for postconviction relief is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2).

State v. Caspers 2025 ND 1
Docket No.: 20240124
Filing Date: 1/9/2025
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Felony
Author: Jensen, Jon J.

Highlight: Under N.D.C.C. § 12.1-32-06.1, a defendant cannot be ordered to a third period of probation. The statute allows for an initial period of probation and one additional period of probation not to exceed five years.

A district court order denying in part a motion for reduced sentence is affirmed.

City of Fargo v. State 2024 ND 236
Docket No.: 20240125
Filing Date: 12/19/2024
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: Bahr, Douglas Alan

Highlight: A home rule city's power to enact ordinances that supersede state law is not without limitation because a home rule city's powers must be based upon statutory provisions.

Cities are creatures of statute and possess only those powers and authorities granted by statute or necessarily implied from an express statutory grant.

Hoff v. State 2024 ND 235
Docket No.: 20240158
Filing Date: 12/19/2024
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Bahr, Douglas Alan

Highlight: A postconviction relief application barred by the two-year limitation in N.D.C.C. § 29-32.1-01(2) is not excepted by N.D.C.C. § 29-32.1-01(3) when the applicant demonstrates a physical disability or mental disease does not preclude timely assertion of their application for relief.

Although Rule 615, N.D.R.Ev., uses the plural term "witnesses," the plural term "witnesses" is interpreted to include the singular term "witness." Therefore, a party may request to sequester a single witness.

Hoff v. State 2024 ND 235
Docket No.: 20240159
Filing Date: 12/19/2024
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Bahr, Douglas Alan

Highlight: A postconviction relief application barred by the two-year limitation in N.D.C.C. § 29-32.1-01(2) is not excepted by N.D.C.C. § 29-32.1-01(3) when the applicant demonstrates a physical disability or mental disease does not preclude timely assertion of their application for relief.

Although Rule 615, N.D.R.Ev., uses the plural term "witnesses," the plural term "witnesses" is interpreted to include the singular term "witness." Therefore, a party may request to sequester a single witness.

Adoption of H.W.L. 2024 ND 234
Docket No.: 20240289
Filing Date: 12/19/2024
Case Type: Appeal - Juvenile - Termination of Parental Rights
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A district court order terminating parental rights and granting a petition for adoption is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App. 35.1(a)(2) and (4).