Latest Case: North Dakota v. Wickham (Constitutional Law)

Should Animals Be Allowed to Sue?

SHERRY F. COLB

Cornell law professor Sherry F. Colb comments on case in which Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) brought a civil damages suit on behalf of an abused horse, now named Justice, against the horse’s former owner. Colb dismantles three arguments critics raise in opposition to recognizing abused animals as plaintiffs in lawsuits such as this one.

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North Dakota v. Wickham

Citation: 2020 ND 25

Opinion Date: January 28, 2020

Judge: Daniel J. Crothers

Areas of Law: Constitutional Law, Criminal Law

Corey Wickham was working as a rideshare driver when he allegedly stopped a passenger from exiting his automobile, kissed her on the mouth, put his hands down her pants, digitally penetrated her, and touched her breasts. He was charged with two counts of gross sexual imposition. A jury found Wickham guilty on both counts. Wickham appealed his eventual convictions, arguing the district court erred by admitting expert opinion testimony. Finding no reversible error, the North Dakota Supreme Court affirmed.