Opinions

Estate of Richmond 2005 ND 145
Docket No.: 20040360
Filing Date: 7/25/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Probate, Wills, Trusts
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: If the evidence presented in opposition to a motion for summary judgment is of insufficient caliber or quantity to allow a rational finder of fact to find fraud by clear and convincing evidence, there is no genuine issue of material fact.
Fraud is never presumed, even under circumstances that give rise to a suspicion of fraud.

Disciplinary Board v. Ward 2005 ND 144
Docket No.: 20050092
Filing Date: 7/25/2005
Case Type: Discipline - Attorney - Original Proceeding
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: Lawyer reprimanded for violation of N.D.R. Prof. Conduct 1.15(f), ordered to pay restitution to former clients, and ordered to pay costs and attorney's fees associated with the disciplinary proceeding.

City of Bismarck v. Judkins 2005 ND 143
Docket No.: 20040370
Filing Date: 7/25/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - DUI/DUS/APC
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: A constitutional error may be declared harmless if the court, after reviewing the entire record, is convinced that the error did not contribute to the verdict.

Bladow v. Bladow 2005 ND 142
Docket No.: 20040315
Filing Date: 7/25/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: Issues that are not raised in pleadings may be tried by the express or implied consent of the parties.
A motion to modify child custody may be made within two years after entry of an order establishing custody when the court finds a persistent and willful denial or interference with visitation.
A party seeking modification of a custody order must establish a prima facie case justifying modification in order to receive an evidentiary hearing.
Split custody of siblings is not preferred.
A trial court has discretion in awarding attorney fees in a domestic relations case.
A trial court errs as a matter of law when it fails to follow the child support guidelines.

Case Credit Corp. v. Oppegard's Inc. 2005 ND 141
Docket No.: 20040369
Filing Date: 7/25/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Contracts
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: Jury instructions do not need to include a definition of a commonly understood word when such a definition has not been requested. Giving a definition of a commonly understood word is a matter of the trial court's discretion.
A jury instruction on issues not raised at trial is erroneous but only constitutes reversible error if the instruction was intended to mislead the jury. A special damages provision controls over a general damages provision.

State v. Ressler 2005 ND 140
Docket No.: 20040327
Filing Date: 7/25/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Drugs/Contraband
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: Reasonable suspicion does not permit law enforcement authorities to transport a seized package from the place where suspicion arose to a law enforcement center for further investigation.
Evidence derived based on an illegal seizure must be suppressed as fruit of the poisonous tree.

Simburger v. Simburger 2005 ND 139
Docket No.: 20050032
Filing Date: 7/25/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: Once an initial custody decision has been made, visitation is governed by N.D.C.C. 14-05-22(2).
A party moving to modify visitation bears the burden of establishing that a material change in circumstances has occurred since the prior visitation order and that it is in the best interest of the child to modify the order.

Interest of B.J.K. (Confidential) 2005 ND 138
Docket No.: 20050025
Filing Date: 7/25/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Juvenile - Termination of Parental Rights
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: A juvenile court's finding of deprivation will not be set aside unless it is clearly erroneous.
In determining whether the causes and conditions of deprivation will continue or will not be remedied, there must be prognostic evidence forming the basis for reasonable prediction of continued or future deprivation.

State v. Jackson 2005 ND 137
Docket No.: 20050072
Filing Date: 7/25/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Sexual Offense
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: When the court dismisses a criminal information on the basis of its legal interpretation of a criminal statute, and not upon resolution of any factual element of the crime charged, the ruling is not a judgment of acquittal but a quashing of the information from which the State has a right to appeal.
When a sexual offender changes employment address, he must register the change with law enforcement within ten days.

GO Committee, et al. v. City of Minot 2005 ND 136
Docket No.: 20040367
Filing Date: 7/20/2005
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: The judiciary's role in reviewing a municipality's interpretation and application of a municipal ordinance is limited by the doctrine of separation of powers to determining whether the municipality clearly abused its discretion.
Ordinances are interpreted like statutes.
Statutory interpretation is a question of law subject to full review upon appeal.