Justia Utah Supreme Court Opinion Summaries

The Supreme Court reversed the decision of the court of appeals affirming Defendant's conviction and the denial of his motion to suppress, holding that the State did not meet its burden in rebutting a presumptively unreasonable seizure.The police found Defendant sleeping in his car in a McDonald's parking lot. The officers asked Defendant to exist his vehicle and ordered him to perform a field sobriety test. Defendant was subsequently charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. Defendant moved to suppress evidence and statements as a result of his seizure, arguing that his seizure and subsequent searches were unlawful. The district court denied the motion, concluding that Defendant's seizure was justified by the community caretaking doctrine. The Supreme Court reversed, holding that the State did not meet is burden to rebut the presumption of unreasonableness. View "State v. Smith" on Justia Law

The Supreme Court affirmed the ruling of the district court convicting Defendant of aggravated battery and denying Defendant's motion for a directed verdict, holding that the evidence was sufficient to support the conviction.A jury convicted Defendant of aggravated robbery. Defendant appealed, arguing that a 911 call was inadmissible hearsay and that its admission at trial was prejudicial error. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding (1) the district court properly admitted the 911 call under the present sense impression exception to the rule against hearsay; and (2) this Court declines to reexamine caselaw requiring criminal appellants to show prejudice from preserved errors. View "State v. Johnson" on Justia Law

The Supreme Court affirmed in part and reversed and vacated in part the juvenile court's order terminating the parental right of Parents, holding that the juvenile court's opinion was too affected by legal error to merit deference on appeal.After a hearing on the termination of parental rights, the juvenile court entered an order terminating the parental rights of both Mother and Father. The court found that both parents were unfit and had neglected the children and that termination was strictly necessary in the best interest of the children. After the adoptive placement with the uncle failed, the parents filed motions for post-judgment relief. The juvenile court denied the motions. The Supreme Court reversed and vacated in part, holding that remand was required for a new best interest determination under the law as clarified in this opinion. View "In re J.L." on Justia Law

The Supreme Court reversed the decision of the court of appeals finding that Northern Monticello Alliance (NMA) had a due process right to participate in the hearing leading to the San Juan County Planning and Zoning Commission's decision not to revoke a wind farm's conditional use permit (CUP), holding that NMA did not possess such a right.NMA complained to the Planning Commission that the wind farm was not fulfilling the conditions of its CUP. After a hearing at which NMA was not allowed to participate, the Planning Commission voted not to revoke the CUP. The San Juan County Commission ultimately upheld the Planning Commission's decision not to revoke the CUP. The district court affirmed. The court of appeals reversed, concluding that NMA members had due process rights granted by the County Land Use, Development, and Management Act and the San Juan County Zoning Ordinance and the San Jan County Zoning Ordinance. The Supreme Court reversed, holding that NMA did not have a protectable due process interest in the enforcement of the CUP or in participation in the revocation hearing. View "Northern Monticello Alliance v. San Juan County" on Justia Law

The Supreme Court reversed the decision of the Tax Commission determining that John and Brooke Buck were domiciled in Utah for the 2012 tax year and therefore owed nearly $400,000 in back taxes and interest, holding that the court erred interpreting Utah Code 59-10-136 to effectively preclude the Bucks from being able to overcome the rebuttal presumption of domicile.On appeal, the Bucks maintained that they were domiciled in Florida in 2012 and that the Commission's decision suffered several constitutional and interpretive deficiencies. The Supreme Court agreed, holding (1) the Tax Commission erred as a matter of law in interpreting section 136, and the plain language of the domicile provision supported the Bucks; and (2) the stipulated facts decisively demonstrated that the Bucks were not domiciled in Utah in 2012 for income tax purposes. View "Buck v. Utah State Tax Commission" on Justia Law

The Supreme Court held that the court of appeals correctly held that the conduct of two court personnel triggered a rebuttable presumption against Defendant, holding that remand was required.The court personnel in this case shared a nonpublic courthouse elevator with a jury during Defendant's trial and either told the jurors to find Defendant guilty and "hang him" or stood quietly in the elevator. On appeal, Defendant argued that the improper juror contact denied him his constitutional right to a fair trial and impartial jury. The court of appeals agreed and reversed Defendant's conviction and remanded the case for a new trial. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding (1) the improper contact violated Defendant's right to an impartial jury and triggered a rebuttable presumption that Defendant was prejudiced by the constitutional error; and (2) the case must be remanded for a determination as to whether the State had met its burden. View "State v. Soto" on Justia Law

The Supreme Court reversed the decision of the district court granting summary judgment in favor of Weber County and dismissing the claims brought by Brian and Mariah Cunningham against the County, a Special Weapons and Tactics training provider, holding that the district court erred across the board.Brian was attending a training when can explosive set on a door latch detonated and caused severe injuries to Brian's face and neck. Brian and Mariah sued the County, alleging negligence and gross negligence. The district court granted the County's motion for summary judgment. The Supreme Court reversed and remanded the action, holding (1) the preinjury release Brian signed was unenforceable because it was neither clear nor unmistakable; and (2) the Governmental Immunity Act of Utah waives immunity for gross negligence claims and loss of consortium claims that arise out of an injury for which immunity has been waived. View "Cunningham v. Weber County" on Justia Law

In this case involving to multiple prosecutions of Defendant for the robbery and theft of a used car the Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the court of appeals dismissing a subsequent charge against Defendant for aggravated robbery in Weber County, holding that all provisions under Utah's Single Criminal Episode Statute, Utah Code 76-1-401 to -403, were met.The State prosecuted Defendant in Weber County for aggravated robbery after he had already been convicted of theft by receiving in Utah County for conduct arising under the same criminal episode. After the court of appeals dismissed the Weber County charge the State appealed, arguing that Defendant's convictions were not part of a single criminal episode and that the Single Criminal Episode Statute did not apply because the district court in Utah County did not have jurisdiction to hear both offenses. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding that the conviction of Defendant in Utah County for theft by receiving barred the State's subsequent prosecution of Defendant in Weber County for aggravated robbery. View "State v. Sisneros" on Justia Law

In this case arising from the internal breakdown and judicial dissolution of H&N Holdings, LLC the Supreme Court reversed the orders of the district court ordering, sua sponte, the dissolution of H&N, holding that the district court erred.H&N was owned by Dianne Nelson and formerly managed by Vicki's husband, Burke Hills. Dianne filed a lawsuit seeking the dissolution of H&N and the removal of Burke as manager. In lieu of dissolution, H&N and Vicki filed elections to purchase Dianne's membership interest in H&N. The district court dismissed the elections and ordered H&N's dissolution, the removal of Burke as manager, and the appointment of a receiver to liquidate H&N's assets. The Supreme Court reversed, holding (1) H&N made its election as a matter of right, and the district court lacked the power to dismiss the election and order the dissolution of H&N; and (2) the district court violated Vicki's due process rights by ordering H&N's dissolution and Burke's removal as manager without notice or an opportunity to be heard. View "Nelson v. Hills" on Justia Law

The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the district court denying Ahhmigo, LLC's motion to vacate the arbitrator's ruling in favor of The Synergy Company of Utah, LLC in this breach of contract proceeding, holding that the district court did not err.Ahhmigo filed a complaint and demand for arbitration against Synergy, alleging breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and other climes. Synergy agreed to arbitrate Ahhmigo's claims, and the arbitrator ruled in favor of Synergy. Ahhmigo moved the district court to vacate the arbitration award, arguing that the arbitrator had manifestly disregarded the law. The district court denied the motion and confirmed the arbitration award. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding that this Court will not reach the question presented on appeal because Ahhmigo did not raise it in the district court. View "Ahhmigo, LLC v. Synergy Co. of Utah, LLC" on Justia Law