State v. Latendresse, Cr. N

CourtUnited States State Supreme Court of North Dakota
Writing for the CourtGIERKE; ERICKSTAD
Citation450 N.W.2d 781
PartiesSTATE of North Dakota, Plaintiff and Appellee, v. Orville LATENDRESSE, Defendant and Appellant. o. 890285.
Docket NumberCr. N
Decision Date25 January 1990

Page 781

450 N.W.2d 781
STATE of North Dakota, Plaintiff and Appellee,
v.
Orville LATENDRESSE, Defendant and Appellant.
Cr. No. 890285.
Supreme Court of North Dakota.
Jan. 25, 1990.

Page 782

Lyle Gregory Witham, State's Atty., Towner, for plaintiff and appellee.

Orville Latendresse, Upham, pro se.

GIERKE, Justice.

Orville Latendresse appeals from a county court judgment which found him guilty of issuing a check without sufficient funds. We dismiss the appeal.

On May 8, 1989, Latendresse issued a $15.00 check to the Morris Bar in Drake, North Dakota. After the check was returned "N.S.F.", indicating non-sufficient funds, Roy Bell, the owner of the bar, signed a criminal complaint against Latendresse. At the August 8, 1989, bench trial, Latendresse was found guilty of issuing a check without sufficient funds.

On August 23, 1989, Latendresse filed with the clerk of the county court a "Motion to Appeal to District Court." This motion was denied by the county court on August 30, 1989, because the appeal was not timely and because the district court was the improper forum for the appeal.

On August 31, 1989, Latendresse filed with this Court an appeal from the August 8, 1989, judgment. On September 20, 1989, this Court remanded this case to the trial court to determine the factual issue of whether there was excusable neglect involved in Latendresse's failure to make a timely appeal. On October 10, 1989, the trial court determined that Latendresse's failure to file a timely appeal was not the result of excusable neglect. This appeal followed.

An extension of time to file an appeal based upon excusable neglect is addressed to the sound discretion of the trial court, and the court's determination will not be set aside on appeal absent an abuse of discretion. Routledge v. Routledge, 377 N.W.2d 542, 547 (N.D.1985). A trial court abuses its discretion when it acts in an arbitrary, unreasonable, or unconscionable manner. Routledge, supra, 377 N.W.2d at 547. Rule 4(b), N.D.R.App.P., outlines the time limitation placed upon the filing of an appeal in a criminal case at 10 days. Latendresse's notice of appeal clearly exceeded the time requirements. Latendresse's argument that the sole reason for the delayed filing of his appeal was his reliance on an outdated lawbook is unfortunate, but unpersuasive. Under these facts, we do not find that the trial court acted in an arbitrary, unreasonable or unconscionable manner in not finding excusable neglect....

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5 practice notes
  • State v. DuPaul, Cr. N
    • United States
    • United States State Supreme Court of North Dakota
    • February 8, 1995
    ...to extend the time to file an appeal for excusable neglect is within the sound discretion of the trial court. State v. Latendresse, 450 N.W.2d 781, 782 (N.D.1990). We will not reverse that decision unless the trial court acted arbitrarily, unconscionably, or unreasonably. "To establish excu......
  • Leftbear v. State, No. 20060244.
    • United States
    • United States State Supreme Court of North Dakota
    • February 1, 2007
    ...of the trial court, and the court's determination will not be set aside on appeal absent an abuse of discretion." State v. Latendresse, 450 N.W.2d 781, 782 (N.D.1990). A district court abuses its discretion when it acts in an arbitrary, unreasonable, or unconscionable manner, or when its de......
  • State v. Franck, Cr. N
    • United States
    • United States State Supreme Court of North Dakota
    • January 22, 1993
    ...whether there was excusable neglect in the failure of Franck's counsel to timely file the notice of appeal. See State v. Latendresse, 450 N.W.2d 781 (N.D.1990). If the trial court so determines, we direct that the record be expeditiously returned to this court to consider the merits of Fran......
  • State v. Latendresse, Cr. N
    • United States
    • United States State Supreme Court of North Dakota
    • July 31, 1990
    ...for writing a bad check. Once before we decided Latendresse's argument about lack of a notice of dishonor. In State v. Latendresse, 450 N.W.2d 781, 782 (N.D.1990), we pointed out that NDCC 6-08-16(4) "merely permits, but does not require, a notice of dishonor to be sent. Therefore, it seems......
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5 cases
  • State v. DuPaul, Cr. N
    • United States
    • United States State Supreme Court of North Dakota
    • February 8, 1995
    ...to extend the time to file an appeal for excusable neglect is within the sound discretion of the trial court. State v. Latendresse, 450 N.W.2d 781, 782 (N.D.1990). We will not reverse that decision unless the trial court acted arbitrarily, unconscionably, or unreasonably. "To establish excu......
  • Leftbear v. State, No. 20060244.
    • United States
    • United States State Supreme Court of North Dakota
    • February 1, 2007
    ...of the trial court, and the court's determination will not be set aside on appeal absent an abuse of discretion." State v. Latendresse, 450 N.W.2d 781, 782 (N.D.1990). A district court abuses its discretion when it acts in an arbitrary, unreasonable, or unconscionable manner, or when its de......
  • State v. Franck, Cr. N
    • United States
    • United States State Supreme Court of North Dakota
    • January 22, 1993
    ...whether there was excusable neglect in the failure of Franck's counsel to timely file the notice of appeal. See State v. Latendresse, 450 N.W.2d 781 (N.D.1990). If the trial court so determines, we direct that the record be expeditiously returned to this court to consider the merits of Fran......
  • State v. Latendresse, Cr. N
    • United States
    • United States State Supreme Court of North Dakota
    • July 31, 1990
    ...for writing a bad check. Once before we decided Latendresse's argument about lack of a notice of dishonor. In State v. Latendresse, 450 N.W.2d 781, 782 (N.D.1990), we pointed out that NDCC 6-08-16(4) "merely permits, but does not require, a notice of dishonor to be sent. Therefore, it seems......
  • Request a trial to view additional results

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