Opinion ID: 1259293
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: the motion to dismiss and the motion for reconsideration

Text: On appeal from an order of the district court reviewing a determination of the magistrate court, this Court reviews the trial court independent of, but with due regard for, the district court's decision. State v. Bitt, 118 Idaho 584, 585 n. 1, 798 P.2d 43, 44 n. 1 (1990). The magistrate court denied the defendant's motion to dismiss and its motion for reconsideration and it is this denial which we review. The magistrate court denied the defendant's motion to dismiss because the defendant failed to present factual evidence in support of its argument that Robles was employed by the tribal government, which lack of evidence precluded dismissal. This was not error. In its motion for reconsideration, the defendant submitted affidavit evidence to support its argument that Robles was employed by the tribal government, not the corporation. However, in opposition thereto, Robles submitted his own affidavit stating that he thought he worked for the tribal corporation, along with his notice of appointment which contained the heading Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, Inc. These affidavits reflect a factual question as to who employed Robles. Thus, the magistrate court did not err in denying the motion for reconsideration. Anderson v. Gailey, 97 Idaho 813, 820, 555 P.2d 144, 151 (1976) (no error in denying a motion to dismiss on jurisdictional grounds where the defendant had not shown by pleadings or affidavits that there was no genuine issue of fact regarding jurisdiction; because jurisdiction depended upon the resolution of a contested issue of fact, the court had to defer its decision of that question until the resolution of the factual issue by the jury). [3]