Court Opinion

ID: 9843736
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 02:42:37.170691+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:16:53.740921
License: Public Domain

MARING, Justice,
concurring specially.
[¶ 32] I concur specially because I am of the opinion that when Rule 16, N.D.R.Crim.P., has been violated, a continuance of trial is preferred in the context of this case. See State v. McNair, 491 N.W.2d 397, 400 (N.D.1992) (stating that a trial court should use the least severe sanction that will rectify the prejudice of a discovery violation). Here, the court refused to grant a continuance. The remedy the majority proposes for Ramstad’s dilemma is for him to establish prejudice by bringing a motion for a new trial supported by an expert’s affidavit stating the evidence that was not provided is exculpatory evidence.
[¶ 33] On May 14, 2002, Ramstad served a motion to suppress the evidence because of the City’s failure to provide the discovery materials. On that same day, the City faxed’the discovery materials to Ramstad. At the conclusion of the trial on May 15, 2002, the jury returned a verdict of guilty and a judgment of conviction was entered. A motion for a new trial based on newly discovered evidence must be brought within 30 days of the discovery of the facts on which the motion is made. N.D.R.CrimJP. 33(b). Theoretically, Ram-stad had 30 days to engage his expert to review the evidence provided on May 14, 2002, to obtain an affidavit stating that it was exculpatory evidence and to bring his motion. However, N.D.R.App.P. 4(b) requires a notice of appeal to be filed within 10 days after entry of a judgment of conviction.2 A motion for a new trial based on newly discovered evidence will toll the time for appeal if the motion is made within 10 days after entry of the judgment of conviction. N.D.R.App.P. 4(b)(1). If the appeal is already pending when the motion is made, the Court may grant the motion only on remand of the case to the trial court. N.D.R.Crim.P. 33(b). In all practicality, Ramstad must bring his motion for a new trial within 10 days after entry of the judgment of conviction or be faced with having to file his notice of appeal and later asking our Court to remand his case back to the trial court to hear his motion for a new trial based on newly discovered evidence. Ten days is not much time to hire an expert and obtain review of the materials, to prepare a report detailing how the material is exculpatory, and to prepare and serve a motion for a new trial. The end result is potentially a needless appeal and a second trial *740of the issues. The more economical and sensible resolution to the situation in this case is a continuance of the trial. This would allow time for the party disadvantaged by the late compliance with discovery to prepare accordingly. I encourage serious consideration of continuances under circumstances such as these.
[¶ 34] For this reason, I concur specially.
[¶ 35] Mary Muehlen Maring

. Our Court has approved an amendment to Rule 4(b)(1)(A), N.D.R.App.P., effective March 1, 2003: "In a criminal case, a defendant's notice of appeal must be filed with the clerk of district court within 30 days after the entry of the judgment or order being appealed.” This will alleviate some of my concerns about the procedure proposed by the majority, but I still favor a continuance as the appropriate remedy for the instant circumstances.