State v. Deutscher

2009 ND 98, 766 N.W.2d 442, 2009 N.D. LEXIS 104, 2009 WL 1677805
CourtNorth Dakota Supreme Court
DecidedJune 17, 2009
Docket20080207
StatusPublished
Cited by21 cases

This text of 2009 ND 98 (State v. Deutscher) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering North Dakota Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Deutscher, 2009 ND 98, 766 N.W.2d 442, 2009 N.D. LEXIS 104, 2009 WL 1677805 (N.D. 2009).

Opinions

KAPSNER, Justice.

[¶ 1] The State of North Dakota appeals a trial court order of dismissal, setting aside a jury verdict of guilty and entering a judgment of acquittal. We conclude the State was not authorized to appeal the order of dismissal; however, we consider the State’s attempt at an appeal a petition for supervisory writ. We further hold the trial court did not have the authority, on its own motion, to set aside the guilty verdict. Therefore, we reverse and remand the case to the trial court to enter judgment based upon the jury’s guilty verdict.

I

[¶ 2] On April 24, 2007, Deutscher went to a check cashing business, Money Lenders, in Bismarck, North Dakota. Money Lenders cashed the check, and on May 1, 2007, the check was returned to Money Lenders as a counterfeit check. After several unsuccessful attempts to collect restitution, Money Lenders filed a report with law enforcement.

[¶ 3] A criminal complaint and information were filed, and Deutscher was charged with theft of property, a class C felony. A jury trial was held on May 6, 2008. At the close of the State’s evidence, Deutscher moved for an acquittal under N.D.R.Crim.P. 29, asserting the State did not present sufficient evidence to sustain a conviction. The trial court held it was satisfied there was sufficient evidence for the jury to consider the alleged offense; it denied Deutscher’s motion.

[¶ 4] Deutscher presented evidence. At the close of all of the evidence, she did not move for a judgment of acquittal. The jury returned a verdict of guilty. After the jury returned its verdict, Deutscher did not move for a judgment of acquittal. Sentencing was scheduled for June 16, 2008, and the trial court ordered the preparation of a presentence investigation. The hearing was continued. At the August 8, 2008 sentencing hearing, the trial court stated:

Counsel, I have previously ordered a presentence investigation, and unbeknownst to you, counsel, I’ve also requested, and my court reporter has been gracious enough to prepare for me, a complete transcript of the testimony of each of the complaining witness and the defendant in this matter. My reason for requesting my court reporter to do so is my concern as to the sufficiency of the evidence in this matter.
[445]*445Ms. Deutscher was charged by Criminal Information with the alleged offense of “knowingly obtaining the money or property of another by deception or by threat with intent to deprive the owner thereof; specifically, the defendant cashed a counterfeit cashier’s check in the amount of $3,000 at Money Lenders.”
I have reviewed the evidence, I listened to the evidence and now I have reviewed the written transcript, and I’m satisfied that there is insufficient evidence to sustain this verdict. Accordingly, on my own motion, under the provisions of Rule 29(c)(2) I’m herewith reversing the jury verdict and dismissing the charge against you, Ms. Deutscher.
In addition thereto, I’ve also reviewed the transcript for any basis for a motion for new trial under 33 of the North Dakota Rules of Criminal Procedure, and I find no basis for a new trial.
However, I’m not going to rule upon the same summarily, and I will grant both the State or — to the State, I should say, a 10-day window of opportunity for a motion for new trial, if they so desire. The State, of course, will have its right to appeal my order of dismissal. The same will be dismissed without prejudice.

[¶ 5] On August 18, 2008, the trial court entered an order of dismissal:

This Court having orally received all testimony and evidence at the time of trial and thereafter having the benefit of a transcript of the testimony of Wendy Grafsgaard and Defendant Jennifer Deutscher, does herewith find and determine that under Rule 29(c)(2), that the evidence presented at the time of trial is insufficient to sustain a guilty verdict.
IT IS THEREFORE THE ORDER OF THE COURT that the pending charge of one count of Theft of Property with respect to the Defendant Jennifer Deutscher is herewith set aside and a Judgment of Acquittal shall be entered.
[[Image here]]
The evidence presented at the time of trial is undisputed that the Defendant received by mail a cashier’s check payable to the Defendant, with the Defendant concerned whether or not said check .was valid. The Defendant presented said check to the Money Lenders station to determine the validity of said instrument, and was thereafter informed that the cashier’s check was valid. Said Money Lenders station expressly authorized and invited the Defendant to endorse said check for negotiation. The Defendant did so, receiving the cash equivalent thereof, and was later informed by Money Lenders station that the check had been returned as counterfeit. Further, that the cashier’s check appeared valid from a physical inspection of the same.absent any alteration of the same by the Defendant.

The State appeals the order of dismissal.

II

[¶ 6] The State’s only right of appeal is that expressly granted by statute. State v. Hogie, 424 N.W.2d 630, 631 (N.D.1988) (citing State v. Flohr, 259 N.W.2d 293, 295 (N.D.1977)). In the notice of appeal, the State indicated its appeal is permitted according to N.D.C.C. § 29-28-07(1). Section 29-28-07(1), N.D.C.C., specifies the State may appeal from an order quashing an information or indictment or any count thereof. This Court has noted “quash” is defined as “to overthrow; to abate; to vacate; to annul; to make void.” State v. Howe, 247 N.W.2d 647, 652 (N.D.1976) (citation omitted).

[446]*446[¶ 7] The State has the burden of proving every element of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt. City of Dickinson v. Kraft, 472 N.W.2d 441, 443 (N.D.1991) (citing State v. Vogel, 467 N.W.2d 86, 89 (N.D.1991)). If the State fails to do so, the defendant must be acquitted of the charge. Id. “There can be no appeal from a true judgment of acquittal.” Id. (citing Flohr, 259 N.W.2d at 296).

[¶ 8] The question before this Court is whether the trial court order from which the State appealed is a judgment of acquittal, which would not be appealable, or an order quashing the information, which would be appealable. This question is not controlled by the form of the trial court’s ruling. State v. Jackson, 2005 ND 137, ¶ 5, 701 N.W.2d 887 (citing Flohr, 259 N.W.2d at 295). “Rather, to determine what constitutes an acquittal, as distinguished from a dismissal quashing the information, we look at the substance of the judge’s ruling to determine whether it actually represents a resolution of some or all of the factual elements of the offense charged.” Id, (citing State v. Meyer, 494 N.W.2d 364, 366 (N.D.1992)). If the trial court’s decision is based upon legal conclusions rather than a resolution of some or all of the factual elements of the events charged, the ruling amounts to a dismissal or a quashing of the information from which the State has a right to appeal. Id. (citing City of Wahpeton v. Desjarlais,

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

State v. Krebs
2025 ND 71 (North Dakota Supreme Court, 2025)
City of West Fargo v. Olson
2020 ND 188 (North Dakota Supreme Court, 2020)
State v. Kolstad
2020 ND 97 (North Dakota Supreme Court, 2020)
State v. Abuhamda
2019 ND 44 (North Dakota Supreme Court, 2019)
State v. Louser
2017 ND 10 (North Dakota Supreme Court, 2017)
State v. Goldmann
2013 ND 105 (North Dakota Supreme Court, 2013)
State ex rel. Madden v. Rustad
2012 ND 242 (North Dakota Supreme Court, 2012)
Haag v. State
2012 ND 241 (North Dakota Supreme Court, 2012)
State ex rel. Roseland v. Herauf
2012 ND 151 (North Dakota Supreme Court, 2012)
Disciplinary Board v. Hann
2012 ND 160 (North Dakota Supreme Court, 2012)
City of Bismarck v. McCormick
2012 ND 53 (North Dakota Supreme Court, 2012)
State v. Montano
2012 ND 59 (North Dakota Supreme Court, 2012)
State v. Hinojosa
2011 ND 116 (North Dakota Supreme Court, 2011)
Interest of C.L.
2011 ND 102 (North Dakota Supreme Court, 2011)
State v. Erickson
2011 ND 49 (North Dakota Supreme Court, 2011)
Interest of G.L.D.
2011 ND 52 (North Dakota Supreme Court, 2011)
State v. Blunt
2010 ND 144 (North Dakota Supreme Court, 2010)
State v. Deutscher
2009 ND 98 (North Dakota Supreme Court, 2009)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
2009 ND 98, 766 N.W.2d 442, 2009 N.D. LEXIS 104, 2009 WL 1677805, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-deutscher-nd-2009.