Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Law Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

2018

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

Discipline
Keyword

Articles 1 - 30 of 93

Full-Text Articles in Law

Harris V. State, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 107 (Dec. 27, 2018) (En Banc), Yilmaz Turkeri Dec 2018

Harris V. State, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 107 (Dec. 27, 2018) (En Banc), Yilmaz Turkeri

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court considered whether the admission of gruesome photographs showing the disfigured bodies of the victims following their deaths and the subsequent autopsies amounted to an abuse of the district court’s discretion. The Court concluded that admission of these photographs was an abuse of the district court’s discretion.


Cooper V. State, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 104 (Dec. 27, 2018), Christi Dupont Dec 2018

Cooper V. State, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 104 (Dec. 27, 2018), Christi Dupont

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court determined that removing a potential juror on the basis of race is a violation of the Equal Protection Clause and held that the district court erred when it did not find a prima facie showing of race-based discrimination during the jury selection process.


Capanna, M.D. V. Orth, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 108 (Dec. 27, 2018) (En Banc), Pengxiang Tian Dec 2018

Capanna, M.D. V. Orth, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 108 (Dec. 27, 2018) (En Banc), Pengxiang Tian

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court determined that Orth’s counsel violated the golden rule arguments, but opposing party’s substantial rights were not violated. Moreover, the district court’s ruling regarding plaintiff expert’s potential biases did not impose severe limitations on Capanna’s ability to fully cross-examine plaintiff’s expert. Further, the district court did not abuse its discretion when it allowed Orth to supplement expert witness list and the award of attorney fees and costs was within the discretion of the district court. Lastly, Orth lacks standing in challenging the district court’s decision.


In Re: Estate Of Sarge 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 105 (Dec. 27, 2018), Kaila Patrick Dec 2018

In Re: Estate Of Sarge 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 105 (Dec. 27, 2018), Kaila Patrick

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court overruled the consolidation rule established in Malin v. Farmers Insurance Exchange and held that a final order resolving a consolidated case is immediately appealable as a final judgment, even if the other constituent cases or other cases are still pending. Accordingly, the Court held that the appeal at issue may proceed because the challenged order finally resolved one of multiple consolidated cases.


Gonor V. Dale, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 109 (Dec. 27, 2018) (En Banc), Esteban Hernandez Dec 2018

Gonor V. Dale, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 109 (Dec. 27, 2018) (En Banc), Esteban Hernandez

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court found that the 90-day period in which a deceased party’s successor or representative must seek to substitute for the deceased plaintiff begins when a party files a suggestion of death on the record, not on the actual date of death. But, because appellants failed to identify the proper party to maintain the survival action within 90 days, the Court affirmed the district court’s dismissal of the suit with prejudice.


Branch Banking & Tr. Co. V. Gerrard, Esq., 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 106 (Dec. 27, 2018), Katrina Brandhagen Dec 2018

Branch Banking & Tr. Co. V. Gerrard, Esq., 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 106 (Dec. 27, 2018), Katrina Brandhagen

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

No abstract provided.


State V. Brown (Taren), 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 102 (Dec. 20, 2018), Tracie Jefcik Dec 2018

State V. Brown (Taren), 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 102 (Dec. 20, 2018), Tracie Jefcik

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court interpreted the good cause showing requirements in NRS 177.015(2) and defined two of the statute’s key phrases: (1) the phrase “propriety of the appeal” means that an appeal is not taken for the purpose of delay, and (2) the phrase “miscarriage of justice” means that suppression of evidence would significantly impair or terminate the State’s ability to prosecute the case. Finding that the State in this case failed to demonstrate good cause, the Court dismissed the appeal.


Century Surety Co. V. Andrew, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 100 (Dec. 13, 2018) (En Banc), Austin Maul Dec 2018

Century Surety Co. V. Andrew, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 100 (Dec. 13, 2018) (En Banc), Austin Maul

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court held that when an insurer breaches its contractual duty to defend the insured, the insurer’s liability is not capped at the policy limits plus the insured’s defense costs; an insurer may be liable for any consequential damages caused by its breach. Moreover, whether the insurer acted in good-faith is irrelevant for determining the damages for a breach of this duty.


Flores V. Las Vegas-Clark Cty. Library Dist., 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 101 (Dec. 13, 2018) (En Banc), Paige Hall Dec 2018

Flores V. Las Vegas-Clark Cty. Library Dist., 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 101 (Dec. 13, 2018) (En Banc), Paige Hall

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court determined that (1) NRS §§ 244.364, 268.418, and 269.222, as amended by Senate Bill 175 (“SB 175”), unambiguously preempt firearm ordinances and regulations adopted by counties, cities, and towns only and (2) a library district created in accordance with NRS Chapter 379 is not a “county,” “city,” or “town” for the purposes of SB 175.


State V. Dist. Ct. (Ojeda (Francisco)), 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 94 (Dec. 6, 2018) (En Banc), Myrra Dvorak Dec 2018

State V. Dist. Ct. (Ojeda (Francisco)), 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 94 (Dec. 6, 2018) (En Banc), Myrra Dvorak

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court focused on the issue of whether a district court can grant a motion to compel disclosure of criminal background information of veniremembers gathered by the prosecution. The Court determined that a district court has the authority to order the prosecution to share criminal background information of veniremembers obtained from databases that the defense cannot access.


Rodriguez (Juan) V. State, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 95 (Dec. 6, 2018) (En Banc), Jessica Story Dec 2018

Rodriguez (Juan) V. State, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 95 (Dec. 6, 2018) (En Banc), Jessica Story

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court held that NRS 200.481(2)(b) is not an enhancement statute and so a sentence for battery resulting in substantial bodily harm with a consecutive sentence for the older-person enhancement is not double sentencing.


N. Lake Tahoe Protection Dist. V. Bd. Of Admin., 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 93 (Dec. 6, 2018) (En Banc), Hannah Nelson Dec 2018

N. Lake Tahoe Protection Dist. V. Bd. Of Admin., 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 93 (Dec. 6, 2018) (En Banc), Hannah Nelson

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court determined that NRS 616B.578(4) does not require an employer to know the precise medical terminology for an employee’s permanent physical impairment before the subsequent injury. However, the statute requires that an employee’s preexisting permanent physical impairment be fairly and reasonably observed from a written record and the impairment must amount to at least 6% whole person impairment.


O’Keefe V. State Of Nev. Dep’T Of Motor Vehicles, Nev. Adv. Op. 92 (Dec. 6, 2018) (En Banc), Jacqueline Cope Dec 2018

O’Keefe V. State Of Nev. Dep’T Of Motor Vehicles, Nev. Adv. Op. 92 (Dec. 6, 2018) (En Banc), Jacqueline Cope

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court reviewed de novo whether a classified employee violated a law or regulation when she challenged a challenges a state agency’s decision to terminate. Moreover, the Court applied a deferential standard of reasonableness to the agency’s decision to terminate the employee in service of the public good.


State V. Second Judicial Dist. Court. (Hearn (Matthew)), 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 96 (Dec. 6, 2018) (En Banc), Taylor Buono Dec 2018

State V. Second Judicial Dist. Court. (Hearn (Matthew)), 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 96 (Dec. 6, 2018) (En Banc), Taylor Buono

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court affirmed the district court’s decision and held that the prosecutorial consent provision in NRS 176A.290 violated the Nevada Constitution’s separation of powers doctrine. Furthermore, the Court struck the offending language, finding that the provision could be severed from the statute without impacting the legislature’s intent.


Mcgowen V. Second Jud. Dist. Ct., 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 89 (Nov. 21, 2018) (En Banc), Darcy Bower Nov 2018

Mcgowen V. Second Jud. Dist. Ct., 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 89 (Nov. 21, 2018) (En Banc), Darcy Bower

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court determined that Nevada caselaw and NRCP 4(c) give conflicting opinions on whether an attorney or their employee can serve someone for their client. Moreover, the Court clarified that the purpose of the 2004 amendment to NRCP 4(c) was to mirror FRCP 4(c)(2) to interpret the exclusion of counsel as a “party.”


Patin V. Lee, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 87 (Nov. 15, 2018) (En Banc), Haley Jaramillo Nov 2018

Patin V. Lee, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 87 (Nov. 15, 2018) (En Banc), Haley Jaramillo

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court held that a statement by an attorney on her firm’s website summarizing a jury’s verdict is not a statement in direct connection with an issue under consideration by a judicial body. The Court explained that because the statement is not a “good faith communication in furtherance of the right . . . to free speech in direct connection with an issue of public concern,” it would not receive anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) protection under NRS § 41.660(1).


State V. Plunkett, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 88 (Nov. 15, 2018) (En Banc), Austin Maul Nov 2018

State V. Plunkett, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 88 (Nov. 15, 2018) (En Banc), Austin Maul

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court held that NRS 212.165(4) imposes criminal liability on nonprisoners who assist prisoners in jail possessing cellphones.


State Of Nev. Local Gov’T Emp. Mgmt. Bd., V. Educ. Support Emp. Ass’N, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 86 (Nov. 8, 2018), Amanda Netuschil Nov 2018

State Of Nev. Local Gov’T Emp. Mgmt. Bd., V. Educ. Support Emp. Ass’N, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 86 (Nov. 8, 2018), Amanda Netuschil

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court determined that the plain language application of NRS § 288.160 and Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) 288.110 states that the vote-counting standard is to be determined by the majority of members of the bargaining unit and not by a majority of the votes cast.


Sarfo V. State Bd. Of Medical Examiners, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 85 (Nov. 1, 2018), Nathaniel Saxe Nov 2018

Sarfo V. State Bd. Of Medical Examiners, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 85 (Nov. 1, 2018), Nathaniel Saxe

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court determined that when a complaint is filed with the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners against a physician, the physician’s due process rights do not attach to the fact-finding role of the administrative agency.


Williams V. State, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 83 (Oct. 25, 2018), Arthur Burn Oct 2018

Williams V. State, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 83 (Oct. 25, 2018), Arthur Burn

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court determined that (1) a district court must perform a comprehensive three-step analysis when a defendant challenges the use of race in peremptory strikes and that (2) a district court should hold a hearing when a defendant seeks to admit evidence showing that a minor victim could have contrived sexual abuse allegations.


Clark Cty. Sch. Dist. V. Las Vegas Review Journal, Nev. Adv. Op. 84 (Oct. 25, 2018) (En Banc), Edgar Cervantes Oct 2018

Clark Cty. Sch. Dist. V. Las Vegas Review Journal, Nev. Adv. Op. 84 (Oct. 25, 2018) (En Banc), Edgar Cervantes

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court determined that the interest of individuals who participate in an internal investigation by a state agency regarding the inappropriate behavior of an elected official should be considered before publishing their identity or identifying information on public records. The Court adopted the Cameranesi test to determine the scope of redactions of names of persons identified in an investigative report with nontrivial privacy claims.


Mulkern V. Eight Jud. Dist. Ct., 134 Nev. Adv. Op. No. 82 (Oct. 18, 2018), Adrianna Guida Oct 2018

Mulkern V. Eight Jud. Dist. Ct., 134 Nev. Adv. Op. No. 82 (Oct. 18, 2018), Adrianna Guida

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court determined the presumption under NRS § 432B.550(5)(a), that a child’s best interest is to be placed together with the siblings of the child, also applies to adopted children. Further, the Court held adoption does not sever a biological sibling relationship for purposes of NRS § 432B.550(5)(a).


Pub. Emps.’ Ret. Sys. Of Nev., A Pub. Agency V. Nev. Pol’Y Res. Inst. Inc., 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 81 (Oct. 18, 2018) (En Banc), Daniel Brady Oct 2018

Pub. Emps.’ Ret. Sys. Of Nev., A Pub. Agency V. Nev. Pol’Y Res. Inst. Inc., 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 81 (Oct. 18, 2018) (En Banc), Daniel Brady

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court determined that the Nevada Public Records Act requires the government agency to disclose the requested information if: (1) it can be found by searching a database for existing information, (2) it is readily accessible and not confidential, and (3) the alleged risks of disclosure do not outweigh the benefits of the public’s interest in the records.


Howard V. Hughes, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 80 (Oct. 4, 2018), Christian Ogata Oct 2018

Howard V. Hughes, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 80 (Oct. 4, 2018), Christian Ogata

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court clarified the holding of Langevin v. York, and applied the presumptions outlined in Sack v. Tomlin to unmarried joint tenants. The Court held that before property may be partitioned and shares are proportionally divided between unrelated joint tenants, a party must overcome the presumption of equal ownership. If a party overcomes this presumption, the shares are proportionally divided based on the parties’ respective financial contributions to the initial purchase price, unless the other party can show a donative intent to gift an equal ownership interest.


Dolorfino V. Univ. Med. Ctr. Of S. Nev., 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 79 (Oct. 4, 2018), Steven Brecher Oct 2018

Dolorfino V. Univ. Med. Ctr. Of S. Nev., 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 79 (Oct. 4, 2018), Steven Brecher

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court held that a claim of injury suffered during medical treatment may not be dismissed for lack of a supporting affidavit from a medical expert if the injured body part is not “directly involved in” or “proximate” to the treatment, where those phrases are to be interpreted quite narrowly.


Rodriguez V. Fiesta Palms Llc, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 78 (Oct. 4, 2018), Khaylia Decaires Oct 2018

Rodriguez V. Fiesta Palms Llc, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 78 (Oct. 4, 2018), Khaylia Decaires

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court determined that relief under NRCP 60(b)(1) is appropriate when litigants: (1) promptly apply to remove judgement, (2) not intend to delay proceedings, (3) lack knowledge of procedural requirements; and (4) act in good faith. Further, the Court concluded that a district court must consider the relevant facts, including the difficulties faced by pro se litigants, when determining to grant or deny NRCP 60(b)(1) relief.


Warren, Jr. (Joseph) V. Eighth Judicial Dist. Court, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 77 (Sep. 27, 2018) (En Banc), James Puccinelli Sep 2018

Warren, Jr. (Joseph) V. Eighth Judicial Dist. Court, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 77 (Sep. 27, 2018) (En Banc), James Puccinelli

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court determined that NRS § 177.015(1)(a) authorizes the State to appeal from a justice court dismissal of a criminal complaint because such a decision is a final judgment, and that NRS § 178.562(2) does not limit the State’s remedies to appeal a justice court’s decision to dismiss a criminal complaint because this provision does not mention final judgment.


Valley Health Sys. V. Estate Of Jane Doe, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 76 (Sept. 27, 2018) (En Banc), Amanda Stafford Sep 2018

Valley Health Sys. V. Estate Of Jane Doe, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 76 (Sept. 27, 2018) (En Banc), Amanda Stafford

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court held that the district court acted within its discretion in sanctioning the party for discovery violations. Further, it determined that the district court’s citation to the Nevada Rules of Professional Conduct causes reputational harm that amounts to a sanction and that the district court correctly found that the attorneys did in fact violate Nevada Rule of Professional Conduct 3.3(a)(1).


Rosenburg Living Trust V. Macdonald Highlands Realty, Llc C/W 70478, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 69 (Sept. 13, 2018) (En Banc), Scott Cooper Sep 2018

Rosenburg Living Trust V. Macdonald Highlands Realty, Llc C/W 70478, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 69 (Sept. 13, 2018) (En Banc), Scott Cooper

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court determined that Nevada law does not recognize implied restrictive covenants based on a common development scheme, and the Court did not adopt the doctrine under these facts. Additionally, the Court held that, unlike common law disclosure requirements, claims arising from the duties of a licensee under NRS Chapter 645 could not be waived. Finally, it held that attorney fees and costs should only be awarded where a claim is without reasonable ground, or to harass the prevailing party.


In Re Connell Living Trust, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 73 (Sep. 13, 2018) (En Banc), Pengxiang Tian Sep 2018

In Re Connell Living Trust, 134 Nev. Adv. Op. 73 (Sep. 13, 2018) (En Banc), Pengxiang Tian

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court determined that a no-contest clause in a trust does not foreclose a beneficiary’s interest if the beneficiary, acting as the trustee, breaches his or her fiduciary duty.