Opinions

Estate of Truax 2007 ND 182
Docket No.: 20070121
Filing Date: 11/19/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Probate, Wills, Trusts
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Judgment denying a motion to amend a judgment is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(4).

Hendricks Prop. Mgmt. Corp. v. Birchwood Prop. Ltd. Partnership, et al. 2007 ND 181
Docket No.: 20070028
Filing Date: 11/19/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Contracts
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: The interpretation of an agency agreement is governed by laws for construing contracts except to the extent the agent's fiduciary relationship with the principal requires a special rule, or the parties agree otherwise.
A district court's findings of fact and conclusions of law must be stated with sufficient specificity to provide reviewing courts with a clear understanding of the district court's decision, and a district court's findings of fact are adequate if the reviewing court is able to understand the factual basis for the district court's decision.
A liquidated damage clause is valid if the damages stemming from a breach are impractical or extremely difficult to estimate when the contract was entered, the parties reasonably endeavored to fix their damages, and the amount stipulated bears a reasonable relation to the probable damages and is not disproportionate to any damages reasonably anticipated.
Face-to-face negotiations are not necessary to uphold a liquidated damage clause.

Intercept Corp. v. Calima Financial LLC, et al. 2007 ND 180
Docket No.: 20060307
Filing Date: 11/14/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Contracts
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: The corporate veil of a limited liability company may be pierced if the same conditions and circumstances under which the corporate veil of a corporation may be pierced under North Dakota law are present.
A lack-of-personal-jurisdiction defense is waived if it is neither made by motion nor included in a responsive pleading.

Axtmann, et al. v. Chillemi, et al. 2007 ND 179
Docket No.: 20070006
Filing Date: 11/14/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Corporations
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: The officers and directors of a corporation generally are not liable for the ordinary debts of the corporation, but a corporation's corporate veil may be disregarded when the corporation has insufficient capitalization for purposes of the corporate undertaking.
A district court's decision to pierce a corporate veil and impose personal liability on an officer or director is reviewed under the clearly erroneous standard.

State v. McAvoy 2007 ND 178
Docket No.: 20070095
Filing Date: 11/14/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Sexual Offense
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: Conditions of probation are interpreted as mandatory.
When a violation of probation is contested, the State needs to prove a probation violation by a preponderance of the evidence.

Hawes v. ND Department of Transportation (consolidated w/20070060) 2007 ND 177
Docket No.: 20070059
Filing Date: 11/14/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Department of Transportation
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: That the defendant's vehicle is out of gas does not render the vehicle inoperable as a matter of law.
When there has been no objection to a prosecutor's argument, the judgment will not be reversed unless it was an obvious error affecting a defendant's substantial rights.

State v. Jacobs 2007 ND 176
Docket No.: 20070033
Filing Date: 11/14/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Drugs/Contraband
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Amended criminal judgment for possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(7).

Mountrail Bethel Home v. Lovdahl (Cross-reference w/ 20060002) 2007 ND 175
Docket No.: 20070148
Filing Date: 11/14/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Contracts
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Judgment finding enforceable contract did not exist is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2).

State v. Skarsgard (Consolidated w/20070084) 2007 ND 174
Docket No.: 20070083
Filing Date: 11/14/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - DUI/DUS/APC
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Criminal judgments for driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with a suspended license are summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(3), (4), and (7).

State v. Thompson (Consolidated w/20070143) 2007 ND 173
Docket No.: 20070142
Filing Date: 11/14/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Drugs/Contraband
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: An order revoking probation is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2) and (4).

Oie v. State 2007 ND 172
Docket No.: 20070119
Filing Date: 11/14/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Denial of application for post-conviction relief is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2).

State v. $2996.00 U.S. Currency 2007 ND 171
Docket No.: 20070082
Filing Date: 11/14/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Order granting forfeiture of $2996.00 is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2) and (7).

Disciplinary Board v. Light 2007 ND 170
Docket No.: 20070327
Filing Date: 11/14/2007
Case Type: Discipline - Attorney - Original Proceeding
Author:

Highlight: Interim suspension of lawyer ordered.

Rodenbiker v. Workforce Safety and Insurance 2007 ND 169
Docket No.: 20070114
Filing Date: 10/29/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Administrative Proceeding
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: Section 65-05-10, N.D.C.C., does not provide for an award of partial disability benefits when an injured worker cannot be returned to substantial gainful employment as defined under N.D.C.C. 65-05.1-01(3), and does not have a retained earnings capacity to meet the income test of N.D.C.C. 65-05.1-01(6)(a)(3).
The purpose of partial disability benefits is to assist individuals who can be returned to substantial gainful employment through rehabilitation, but will experience a decrease in earnings capacity upon return to the workforce.
Partial disability benefits are for individuals who can return to substantial gainful employment, but at a lesser amount of income.

Bertsch v. Bertsch 2007 ND 168
Docket No.: 20070110
Filing Date: 10/19/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: The law of the case doctrine applies only to issues decided by final judgments.
A district court has broad discretion regarding the scope of discovery.
A district court discovery order must be obeyed by the party to whom the order was issued. Failure to obey the order will result in a sanction, requiring the failing party to pay the reasonable expenses, including attorney's fees, caused by the failure, unless the court finds that the failure was substantially justified.

Kienzle v. Yantzer 2007 ND 167
Docket No.: 20060364
Filing Date: 10/19/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: When a stipulation is incorporated into a judgment, the judgment is interpreted and enforced, not the underlying contract.
A district court's interpretation of its own judgment is entitled to deference when the language of the judgment is ambiguous.
A district court's decision whether to allow a custodial parent to relocate out of state with the child is a finding of fact, and will not be overturned on appeal unless clearly erroneous.

Interest of T. E. (Confidential) 2007 ND 166
Docket No.: 20070278
Filing Date: 10/16/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Mental Health
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: A State Hospital patient can be subject to more than one 90-day forced medication order.
The refusal-of-medication requirement of N.D.C.C. § 25-03.1-18.1(1)(a)(2) can be met when a patient who is not literally refusing medication but is taking medication only because of a prior forced medication order indicates he would not take further medication unless ordered to do so by a court.

Sayler v. ND Dept. of Transportation 2007 ND 165
Docket No.: 20070101
Filing Date: 10/16/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Department of Transportation
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: When an administrative order revoking a driver's license is appealed to the district court, the director or the hearing officer who rendered the decision must file a certified transcript of the testimony and all other proceedings within twenty days after receipt of the notice of appeal.
Probable cause to arrest a driver for driving under the influence exists if the police officer (1) observes some signs of physical or mental impairment, and (2) has reason to believe the driver's impairment is caused by alcohol.

State v. Barendt 2007 ND 164
Docket No.: 20060370
Filing Date: 10/16/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Felony
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: A fact-finder decides the credibility of witnesses, and is not required to believe a witness's testimony, even when no direct evidence is offered to the contrary.

Ritter, Laber & Assoc., et al. v. Koch Oil, et al. (Cross w/20000224 & 20030347) 2007 ND 163
Docket No.: 20070029
Filing Date: 10/16/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Oil, Gas and Minerals
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: A party seeking reformation of a written agreement must prove by clear and convincing evidence the document does not fully or truly state the agreement the parties intended to make.
The party seeking reformation of an agreement on the basis of mutual mistake must show that, when the agreement was executed, both parties intended to say something different from what was said in the document.
In a class action lawsuit, the district court may award payment to the class representatives. Factors in making the decision include the risk to class representatives in bringing suit, the time and effort spent by the class representatives, the duration of the litigation, the time and effort expended by the representatives in pursuing the litigation, and the degree to which the class has benefitted from the representatives' actions.
The districtr court must consider the factors listed under N.D.R.Civ.P. 23(p)(5) in awarding attorney fees in a class action lawsuit.
The district court is considered an expert in determining an award of attorney fees, and its decision will not be overturned on appeal absent a clear abuse of discretion.
In awarding attorney fees in a class action lawsuit, the court may consider not only the available settlement fund but also the amount of actual claims on the fund.

State v. Fasteen 2007 ND 162
Docket No.: 20070046
Filing Date: 10/16/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - DUI/DUS/APC
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: Under the Terry doctrine, a law enforcement officer can make an investigative stop of a vehicle if the officer has a reasonable and articulable suspicion that the motorist has violated or is violating the law.
Under N.D.C.C. 39-10-38(1), no person may turn a vehicle right or left upon a roadway without giving an appropriate signal and unless or until such movement can be made with reasonable safety.

State v. Hemmes (consolidated w/20070011) 2007 ND 161
Docket No.: 20070010
Filing Date: 10/16/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Theft
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963) does not apply to probation revocation proceedings.
The evidentiary disclosure requirements of N.D.R.Crim.P. 16 apply to probation revocation proceedings.

State v. Skarsgard (Consolidated w/ 20060305) 2007 ND 160
Docket No.: 20060304
Filing Date: 10/16/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - DUI/DUS/APC
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: A law enforcement officer may make an investigative stop of a vehicle if the officer has at least a reasonable suspicion that the motorist has violated the law or probable cause to believe the motorist has done so.
When a law enforcement officer observes a vehicle with no license plates and no viewable registration certificate, the officer has reasonable grounds to stop the driver and check if the driver has a valid certificate in his possession.
An adequate foundation for admission of blood-alcohol test results may be established by the testimony of witnesses.
A jury is generally presumed to follow instructions, and a curative instruction to disregard certain evidence is generally sufficient to remove improper prejudice.
Generally, pretrial bail issues are moot after conviction.
Reversal of a conviction and release from confinement is not a remedy for allegations of deliberate indifference to serious medical needs in violation of the cruel and unusual punishment clause of the Eighth Amendment.
Appellate review of a criminal sentence focuses only on whether the district court acted within the limits prescribed by statute, or substantially relied on an impermissible factor.

State v. Skarsgard 2007 ND 159
Docket No.: 20070034
Filing Date: 10/16/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - DUI/DUS/APC
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: The criminal code definition of "offense" as "conduct for which a term of imprisonment or fine is authorized under statute after conviction" applies to driving violations under N.D.C.C. 39-08-01 and 39-06-42.
Judgments for driving under the influence and driving under suspension which are on appeal are "offenses" that can be used to enhance subsequent driving under the influence and driving under suspension judgments.

State v. Overby 2007 ND 158
Docket No.: 20070054
Filing Date: 10/16/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Drugs/Contraband
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Findings of parole violations, revocation of parole and re-sentencing to an additional year of incarceration are summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2) and (4).

State v. Gruett 2007 ND 157
Docket No.: 20070039
Filing Date: 10/16/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Drugs/Contraband
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Conviction for possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(3).

State v. Moilwa 2007 ND 156
Docket No.: 20070058
Filing Date: 10/16/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Felony
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A district court criminal judgment for criminal trespass is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(4).

State v. Knight 2007 ND 155
Docket No.: 20070047
Filing Date: 10/16/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Sexual Offense
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Conviction of gross sexual imposition is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(3) and (7).

State v. Johnson 2007 ND 154
Docket No.: 20060315
Filing Date: 10/16/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Sexual Offense
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A criminal conviction for failure to register as a sex offender is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(3).

State v. Tassler 2007 ND 153
Docket No.: 20070078
Filing Date: 10/16/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Felony
Author:

Highlight: Revocation of probation and sentence is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(4).

State v. Jager 2007 ND 152
Docket No.: 20070080
Filing Date: 10/16/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Drugs/Contraband
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Conviction for possession of drug paraphernalia is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(4).

Kram v. N.D. Department of Transportation 2007 ND 151
Docket No.: 20070102
Filing Date: 10/16/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Department of Transportation
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: An order suspending commercial driving privileges for one year is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(7).

State v. Grzeskowiak (Consolidated w/20060355) 2007 ND 150
Docket No.: 20060354
Filing Date: 10/16/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Misdemeanor
Author:

Highlight: Orders deferring imposition of sentence for unlawful display of license plates and failure to transfer title of a vehicle are summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(1) and (4).

Swenson v. Workforce Safety and Insurance Fund, et al. 2007 ND 149
Docket No.: 20070049
Filing Date: 9/5/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Workers Compensation
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: A claimant must prove by objective medical evidence that he suffered a compensable injury. Objective medical evidence may include a physician's medical opinion based on an examination, a patient's medical history, and the physician's education and experience.
Although a medical opinion supported by a treatise or other scientific authority may be more persuasive, physicians are not required to offer such support.

State v. Newman 2007 ND 148
Docket No.: 20060294
Filing Date: 9/5/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Homicide
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: Persons accused of crimes have a constitutional right to a trial by an impartial jury.
An appellate court will not set aside a verdict merely on a whimsy or fanciful notion that prejudicial misconduct occurred.
A defendant on a criminal charge has a constitutional right to be present in the courtroom at every stage of the trial, but the right is not absolute and can be waived by the defendant.

Lee v. Lee 2007 ND 147
Docket No.: 20060321
Filing Date: 8/30/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: A trial court has subject matter jurisdiction to order a party to pay spousal support beyond the party's original spousal support obligation, even when the original obligation has already ended, when reconsideration of an interrelated child support obligation could constitute a change in circumstances for purposes of the spousal support obligation.
A change in a child support obligation may constitute a material change in circumstances requiring reconsideration of an interrelated spousal support obligation.
Attorney's fees will not be awarded absent a showing of need or a showing that an appeal was frivolous.

State v. Tibor 2007 ND 146
Docket No.: 20060274
Filing Date: 8/30/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Sexual Offense
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: A court does not abuse its discretion in allowing expert testimony about child sexual abuse accommodation syndrome if it finds the testimony may assist the jury in understanding the evidence or determine a fact in issue.
Mere repetition of a child's out-of-court statements does not make them unduly prejudicial.
A conviction rests upon insufficient evidence only when, after reviewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution and giving the prosecution the benefit of all inferences reasonably to be drawn in its favor, no rational fact-finder could find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

State v. Demars 2007 ND 145
Docket No.: 20070015
Filing Date: 8/30/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - DUI/DUS/APC
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: Denial of a motion to suppress evidence will not be reversed if there is sufficient competent evidence capable of supporting the court's findings, and if its decision is not contrary to the manifest weight of the evidence.

Peterson, et al. v. Dakota Molding, Inc., et al. 2007 ND 144
Docket No.: 20060356
Filing Date: 8/30/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Contracts
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: In a garnishment proceeding, where a garnishee denies liability, the plaintiff may move the court for leave to file a supplemental complaint making the garnishee a party to the action, and setting forth the facts upon which the plaintiff claims to charge the garnishee. If probable cause is shown, the motion shall be granted.
The question whether probable cause has been shown, so as to require leave to file a supplemental complaint making a garnishee a party to an action, depends on whether the evidence shows probable grounds for believing that the garnishee might be held liable.
A term in an insurance policy should be construed to mean what a reasonable person in the position of the insured would think it meant. Limitations or exclusions from broad coverage must be clear and explicit. When the language of an insurance policy is clear and explicit, the language should not be strained in order to impose liability on the insurer.

State v. Kunze 2007 ND 143
Docket No.: 20060377
Filing Date: 8/30/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Felony
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: When a trial court concludes it is necessary to physically restrain a defendant at trial in front of the jury, the court must consider less restrictive, less prejudicial methods of restraint.
To provide for meaningful appellate review, a trial court must articulate its reasons for placing the defendant in physical restraints on the record, including a discussion of less prejudicial alternatives.

Tedford v. Workforce Safety and Insurance, et al. 2007 ND 142
Docket No.: 20060320
Filing Date: 8/27/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Workers Compensation
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: The retirement offset provision, N.D.C.C. 65-05-09.2, authorizing offset of social security retirement benefits against workers compensation disability benefits, does not apply to injured employees who were receiving benefits for a total disability prior to the statute's effective date.
In determining whether an administrative agency acted without substantial justification, triggering an award of actual attorney fees and costs under N.D.C.C. 28-32-50(1), the fact that a judge at an earlier stage of the proceedings agreed with the agency's position is persuasive evidence that the position was substantially justified.

Superior, Inc. v. Behlen Mfg. 2007 ND 141
Docket No.: 20060308
Filing Date: 8/24/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Contracts
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: A contractual right to indemnification may be implied based on the special nature of the relationship between the parties, or when there are unique factors demonstrating that the parties intended the would-be indemnitor to bear the ultimate responsibility for a certain matter.
Implied contractual indemnity is an equitable remedy that is available only if a party does not have an adequate remedy at law.
Under the Uniform Commercial Code, a buyer may seek consequential damages from the seller when it incurs liability to a third party as a result of the use or resale of the seller's product.

J.P. v. Stark Co. Social Services, et al. 2007 ND 140
Docket No.: 20070004
Filing Date: 8/22/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Administrative Proceeding
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: When a medicaid recipient receives out-of-state medical care without prior approval when there is no emergency, payment may be covered only if there was good cause for not first securing approval, the care and services were not available in state, and the care and services were medically necessary.

Graner v. Graner 2007 ND 139
Docket No.: 20060359
Filing Date: 8/22/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: A district court's decision on a custodial parent's motion to relocate out-of-state will be reversed on appeal only if it is clearly erroneous.
Increased visitation expenses and distance are not a sufficient basis to deny a custodial parent's motion to relocate.
A court may not modify custody within two years of an order establishing custody, unless the court finds the modification is in the child's best interests and there is willful denial of visitation, the child's environment endangers the child's physical or emotional health or impairs the child's emotional development, or the noncustodial parent has had primary physical care of the child for longer than six months.

State v. Washington 2007 ND 138
Docket No.: 20060369
Filing Date: 8/22/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Theft
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: The probable cause standard is the same for both searches and arrests.
Once a vehicle has been validly stopped and its occupants lawfully detained, law enforcement officers may constitutionally order the driver and passengers out of the vehicle, even in situations not amounting to arrest.
Law enforcement officers have the right to use appropriate forcible means to effectuate an arrest.
An officer's subjective intent plays no role in ordinary probable cause Fourth Amendment analysis.

City of Fargo v. Malme, et al. 2007 ND 137
Docket No.: 20070043
Filing Date: 8/22/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Administrative Proceeding
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: Cities are creatures of statute and possess only those powers and authorities granted by statute or necessarily implied from an express statutory grant.
Home rule charters allow cities to enact laws contrary to those of the state.
The supersession provision in N.D.C.C. 40-05.1-05 applies only to those powers enumerated in N.D.C.C. 40-05.1-06, and those powers must also be included in the home rule charter and be implemented by ordinance.
The rule of strict construction applies in defining municipal powers, and any doubt as to the existence or extent of municipal powers must be resolved against the municipality.

Stephenson v. Hoeven, et al. 2007 ND 136
Docket No.: 20070055
Filing Date: 8/22/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Administrative Proceeding
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: Statutes are construed as a whole to give meaning, if possible, to every word, phrase, and sentence.
An administrative agency may adopt specific rules of procedure when necessary to comply with requirements outside the administrative agencies practice act or when necessary to comply with the requirements of federal law.

Farmers Union Mut. Ins. Co. v. Assoc. Electric and Gas Ins. Services Ltd. 2007 ND 135
Docket No.: 20060303
Filing Date: 8/22/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Insurance
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: Statutory interpretation is a question of law and fully reviewable on appeal.
Words in a statute are given their plain, ordinary, and commonly understood meaning, unless defined by statute or unless a contrary intention plainly appears.
Statutes are construed as a whole and are harmonized to give meaning to related provisions.
If the language of a statute is clear and unambiguous, the letter of the statute cannot be disregarded under the pretext of pursuing its spirit.
Under N.D.C.C. 26.1-41-17, which permits a basic no-fault insurer to seek equitable allocation and intercompany arbitration for no-fault benefits paid, "the motor vehicle liability insurer of a secured person" does not include an excess liability insurer.

Burns v. Burns 2007 ND 134
Docket No.: 20060218
Filing Date: 8/22/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: A continuance is the proper remedy for a party claiming surprise, and a judgment will not ordinarily be reversed on appeal for surprise when no request is made for a continuance at the time and there is no showing of inability to meet the situation.
If evidence of domestic violence does not rise to the level to trigger the presumption against an award of custody, the court may still consider the evidence as one of the best interest factors.
A district court's concerns about maintaining the custodial relationship that existed prior to the divorce and allowing the child to attend the same school and live in the same house are all valid considerations under N.D.C.C. 14-09-06.2(1)(d).
Being a child's primary caretaker does not guaranty a custody award in a divorce action.

State v. Kautzman 2007 ND 133
Docket No.: 20060329
Filing Date: 8/22/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Sexual Offense
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: A mistrial must be declared before the trial is over and before the jury has been discharged. When defense counsel moves for a mistrial, an instruction to the jury must be requested to properly preserve the question for appellate review.
A judgment of acquittal may be entered only if the evidence is insufficient to sustain a conviction.
For an offense to be a lesser included offense, it must be impossible to commit the greater offense without committing the lesser.
If counsel does not object to the trial court's instructions, the issue is not adequately preserved and inquiry on appeal is limited to whether the court's failure to instruct the jury was obvious error affecting substantial rights.
A party may not challenge as error a ruling or other trial proceeding invited by that party.
A trial court has broad discretion when deciding evidentiary matters, and its admission or exclusion of evidence will not be overturned on appeal unless that discretion has been abused.