Opinion ID: 1984032
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: motion to dismiss the motion to suppress

Text: Gasser filed a motion requesting this court to suppress Dorgan's use of any evidence he obtained from the First National Bank pertaining to Gasser. Dorgan requests this court to dismiss Gasser's motion to suppress. Pursuant to Article IV § 86 of the North Dakota Constitution (as amended, S.L.1975, ch. 615, § 1, approved September 7, 1976, S.L. 1977, ch. 599), this court has appellate jurisdiction and also original jurisdiction with authority to issue, hear, and determine such original and remedial writs as may be necessary to properly exercise its jurisdiction. Section 27-02-04, N.D.C.C., provides that this court . . . shall exercise its original jurisdiction only in habeas corpus cases and in such cases of strictly public concern as involve questions affecting the sovereign rights of this state or its franchises or privileges. The original jurisdiction of this court is a discretionary power which may not be invoked as a matter of right, and this court will determine for itself whether each particular case is within its original jurisdiction. State v. Friederich, 108 N.W.2d 681 (N.D.1961). This court will exercise its original jurisdiction only in those cases in which the matter to be litigated is publici juris wherein the sovereignty of the State, the prerogatives of the State, or the liberties of its people are directly involved. State v. North Dakota Hospital Service Ass'n, 106 N.W.2d 545 (N.D.1960). To warrant the exercise of original jurisdiction by this court, the interest of the State must be primary and the public, the community at large, must have an interest or right which may be affected. State v. North Dakota Hospital Service Ass'n supra . Gasser's motion to suppress evidence involves a private interest and is not a matter which directly affects the interests of the public at large. The use of the evidence obtained by the subpoena duces tecum may be raised at the appropriate time in a subsequent proceeding. Perhaps other procedures are or will be available through which Gasser can obtain a resolution of the issues he has raised in his current motion to suppress evidence. However, it is not the purpose of this court, nor is this court authorized, to give individualized advice to a party regarding the proper course of legal action to pursue or the proper procedure to follow. We hold that Gasser's motion to suppress is premature, is improperly before this court, and is not within this court's original jurisdiction. Accordingly, the motion to dismiss Gasser's motion to suppress evidence is hereby granted. ERICKSTAD, C. J., and PEDERSON, VOGEL and SAND, JJ., concur.