Newly Discovered Evidence in Untimely North Dakota Postconviction Applications Must Establish Actual Innocence, Not Mere Impeachment or Procedural Defect (Mohammed v. State, 2026 ND 59) I....
Pederson v. State (2026 ND 1): No Summary Dismissal of Ineffective-Assistance Claims Absent a State Motion; Jurisdiction Is Never Procedurally Barred Introduction In Pederson v. State, 2026 ND 1, the...
Discretion to Deny an Adoption Petition Despite Consents and Best-Interest Showing (and Latitude to Consider Petitioner Interests) 1. Introduction Adoption of K.J.K., 2026 ND 46, arises from an...
Contractual Grievance Noncompliance Waives Arbitration; Separate Director Contracts Are Extracurricular and Outside Teacher Nonrenewal Protections Case: Christianson v. Grand Forks Public School...
Default Judgment After Discovery Sanctions: Appellate Review Limited to Facial Irregularities Absent Rule 60(b) Motion Introduction In Nygaard v. Volker, 2026 ND 50 (Feb. 19, 2026), the North Dakota...
State v. Medina (2026 ND 45): Readily Mobile Vehicle in a Commercial Lot—Automobile Exception Applies Without Added Exigency When Probable Cause Arises From Plain-View Paraphernalia and Context...
Mandatory Judicial Gatekeeping: In Camera Review Before Accepting Open-Meetings Exemption Claims on Summary Judgment Introduction Case: Haskell v. Grand Forks Public Schools, 2026 ND 40 (N.D. Feb....
“Threatens … with a Firearm” Under N.D.C.C. § 12.1-32-02.1 Includes Communicated Threats When the Offender Possesses a Firearm—No Brandishing Required 1. Introduction In State v. Reese, 2026 ND 39,...
City of Dickinson v. Helgeson (2026 ND 34): Sanctions for Fictitious Citations and Rule 58 Vexatious-Litigant Authority in Noncriminal Traffic-Infraction Litigation 1. Introduction In City of...
Explicit Findings Sustain Upward Child-Support Deviations and the Mandate Rule Limits Remand Re-Litigation 1. Introduction Case: Kingstone v. Tedrow Kingstone, 2026 ND 29 (N.D. Feb. 12, 2026)....
Probation No-Contact Conditions Must Preserve a Practical Means to Exercise Parenting Rights Absent a Stated Penological Rationale (State v. Maher) Introduction In State v. Maher, 2026 ND 35, the...
Courts Must Set Parenting Time—No Delegation to Therapists or the Child Without Detailed Endangerment Findings Vetter v. Vetter, 2026 ND 36 (N.D. Feb. 12, 2026) 1. Introduction In Vetter v. Vetter,...
NDIC May Allocate Production Under N.D.C.C. § 38-08-04(1)(c), but Must Modify Spacing/Pooling Orders with Notice and Hearing Before Reallocating Beyond Unit Boundaries I. Introduction Case: Garaas v....
UCCJEA “No Other State” Jurisdiction: Service, Misused Emergency Orders, and Intercourt Coordination Commentary on Hughes v. Waters, 2026 ND 20 (N.D. Feb. 5, 2026) 1. Introduction Hughes v. Waters...
Rule 11(b)(3) Factual-Basis Errors Are “Plain” but Not Reversible on Direct Appeal Without a Showing of Prejudice — State v. Haskins (2026 ND 23) Court: Supreme Court of North Dakota | Date:...
Statutory Wage and Unjust-Enrichment Claims Against the State Do Not “Arise Upon Contract” Under N.D.C.C. ch. 32-12; ch. 32-12.2 Notice Is Jurisdictional Case: UND v. Whelan, 2026 ND 19 Court:...
Constructive Possession Under N.D.C.C. Title 62.1 Now Requires Intent, While Actual Possession Remains Strict-Liability I. Introduction In State v. Luetzen, 2026 ND 13, the North Dakota Supreme Court...
State v. Olson (2026 ND 8): N.D.C.C. § 27-11-01 Is a Strict-Liability Crime and Title 12.1 Default Culpability Does Not Apply Court: Supreme Court of North Dakota Date: January 29, 2026 Author: Bahr,...
Cull v. Cull (2026 ND 10): Competent, Firsthand Evidence and More-Than-Isolated Harm Required to Earn a Custody-Modification Hearing I. Introduction Case: Cull v. Cull, 2026 ND 10 (N.D. Jan. 29,...
Rule 5 Notice-of-Filing Defects Are Nonjurisdictional: Defendant May File the Initiating Pleading and Absent Prejudice the Case Proceeds Case: Sanderson v. Cole, 2026 ND 16 (N.D. Jan. 29, 2026)...