HUERD v. GENERAL MOTORS LLC (2019)

Supreme Court of North Dakota.

Tara Lynn HUERD, Plaintiff and Appellant v. GENERAL MOTORS, LLC, Defendant and Appellee

No. 20190125

Decided: October 29, 2019

Tara Huerd, self-represented, Mapleton, ND, for plaintiff and appellant; submitted on brief. Courtney Ward-Reichard, Minneapolis, MN, for defendant and appellee; submitted on brief.

[¶1] Tara Huerd appeals the district court’s judgment dismissing her complaint of a defective motor vehicle. Huerd contends that the district court erred by finding res judicata barred her action. Huerd also argues that the district court abused its discretion by dismissing the case without a hearing on the motion to dismiss. We summarily affirm the district court’s judgment under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(4) and (7). An action brought in small claims court is subject to the doctrine of res judicata. See Martin v. Marquee Pac., LLC, 2018 ND 28, ¶ 18, 906 N.W.2d 65, 71-72. A small claims court’s judgment cannot be appealed in district court. Winter v. Solheim, 2015 ND 210, ¶ 12, 868 N.W.2d 842. “[U]nless requested by a party, oral argument on a motion under N.D.R.Ct. 3.2 is not required.” Hoffman v. Jevne, 2019 ND 156, ¶ 6, 930 N.W.2d 95.

Per Curiam.

[¶2] Gerald W. VandeWalle, C.J. Jon J. Jensen Lisa Fair McEvers Daniel J. Crothers Jerod E. Tufte