Penalty Info

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North Dakota State law

State law — North Dakota

0 verified · 16 possibly — unconfirmed · 0 verification pending

Offences by family

Against the person

Assault (aggravated) Possibly — unconfirmed

Possibly — unconfirmed

Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.

Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed

Aggravated assault — wilfully causing serious bodily injury; knowingly causing bodily / substantial injury with a dangerous weapon; causing injury while attempting serious injury; or firing a firearm / hurling a destructive device at another (Class C felony) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–5 years
Fine
$0–$10,000
Note on this entry

Aggravated assault of an unborn child (§ 12.1-17.1-05) is a separate Class C felony (reported).

Statute
§ 12.1-17-02 NDCC (aggravated assault)
Official source
Justia mirror of North Dakota Century Code (non-official)
Last verified
2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not “your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors, victim status, plea, discretion. If you face a real charge, consult a licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.

Assault (simple) Possibly — unconfirmed

Possibly — unconfirmed

Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.

Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed

Simple assault — wilfully causing bodily injury, or negligently causing bodily injury by firearm / destructive device / weapon (Class B misdemeanor) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–30 days
Fine
$0–$1,500

Simple assault — victim is a peace officer, correctional employee, state-hospital employee, person in a judicial proceeding, firefighter, EMS personnel or emergency-department worker (Class C felony) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–5 years
Fine
$0–$10,000
Note on this entry

Assault causing substantial bodily injury is a separate offence (§ 12.1-17-01.1): Class A misdemeanor, or Class C felony if the victim is under 12.

Statute
§ 12.1-17-01 NDCC (simple assault)
Official source
LawServer mirror of North Dakota Century Code (non-official)
Last verified
2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not “your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors, victim status, plea, discretion. If you face a real charge, consult a licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.

Domestic violence Possibly — unconfirmed

Possibly — unconfirmed

Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.

Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed

Domestic violence — wilfully causing bodily injury to a family / household member, 1st offence (Class B misdemeanor) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–30 days
Fine
$0–$1,500

Domestic violence — bodily injury, 2nd or subsequent offence (Class A misdemeanor) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–360 days
Fine
$0–$3,000

Domestic violence — substantial bodily injury (Class A misdemeanor) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–360 days
Fine
$0–$3,000

Domestic violence — serious bodily injury (Class C felony) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–5 years
Fine
$0–$10,000

Domestic violence — substantial / serious bodily injury, victim under 12 (Class B felony) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–10 years
Fine
$0–$20,000
Note on this entry

Protection orders are available under ch. 14-07.1; violating a protection order is a Class A misdemeanor (1st) / Class C felony (2nd+). A mandated intervention programme for DV offenders applies under § 12.1-17-13.

Statute
§ 12.1-17-01.2 NDCC (domestic violence)
Official source
WomensLaw.org reproduction of NDCC § 12.1-17-01.2 (non-official)
Last verified
2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not “your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors beyond tier, plea, discretion. If you face a real charge, consult a licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.

Homicide — manslaughter Possibly — unconfirmed

Possibly — unconfirmed

Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.

Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed

Manslaughter — recklessly causing the death of another (Class B felony) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–10 years
Fine
$0–$20,000

Negligent homicide — negligently causing the death of another (Class C felony) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–5 years
Fine
$0–$10,000
Note on this entry

Criminal vehicular homicide (§ 39-08-01.2) is a Class A felony — up to 20 years — reported, not read from official text in this session.

Statute
§ 12.1-16-02 NDCC (manslaughter); § 12.1-16-03 NDCC (negligent homicide)
Official source
Justia mirror of North Dakota Century Code (non-official)
Last verified
2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not “your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors, intent, plea, discretion. If you face a real charge, consult a licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.

Homicide — murder Possibly — unconfirmed

Possibly — unconfirmed

Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.

Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed

Murder — intentionally or knowingly causing the death of another (Class AA felony) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
Life (with or without parole)
Fine
No fine authorised

Life with parole: parole-board consideration after 30 years less good-conduct reduction.

Murder — intentionally or knowingly causing death under extreme emotional disturbance with reasonable excuse (Class A felony) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–20 years
Fine
$0–$20,000
Note on this entry

North Dakota has no death penalty (abolished 1973). Causing death by suicide through deception / coercion / duress is a Class AA felony under § 12.1-16-04.

Statute
§ 12.1-16-01 NDCC (murder)
Official source
Justia mirror of North Dakota Century Code (non-official)
Last verified
2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not “your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors, intent, plea, discretion. If you face a real charge, consult a licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.

Sexual offences

Sexual assault / rape Possibly — unconfirmed

Possibly — unconfirmed

Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.

Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed

Gross sexual imposition — sexual act by force / threat, impaired victim, or victim under 15 (Class A felony) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–20 years
Fine
$0–$20,000

Gross sexual imposition — serious bodily injury, subdivision (1)(a) violation, or subdivision (1)(d) violation with actor 22+ (Class AA felony) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
Life without parole (minimum 20 years for subdivision (1)(a) convictions)
Fine
No fine authorised

Victim's death: Class AA felony, LWOP mandatory (unless defendant was a juvenile).

Sexual imposition — sexual contact under compulsion (Class B felony, reported) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–10 years
Fine
$0–$20,000
Note on this entry

Sex-offender registration applies. Continuous sexual abuse of a child (§ 12.1-20-03.1) is a Class AA felony if the actor was 22+ at the time, otherwise Class A (reported).

Statute
§ 12.1-20-03 NDCC (gross sexual imposition); § 12.1-20-04 NDCC (sexual imposition)
Official source
LawServer mirror of North Dakota Century Code (non-official)
Last verified
2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not “your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors beyond tier, plea, discretion. If you face a real charge, consult a licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.

Property

Burglary Possibly — unconfirmed

Possibly — unconfirmed

Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.

Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed

Burglary — wilful entry / surreptitious remaining in a building or occupied structure with intent to commit a crime (Class C felony) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–5 years
Fine
$0–$10,000

Burglary — at night in the dwelling of another; or inflicting / attempting bodily injury or restraint, menacing serious bodily injury, or armed with a firearm / destructive device / weapon (Class B felony) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–10 years
Fine
$0–$20,000
Note on this entry

Criminal trespass in a dwelling / highly secured premises is separately a Class C felony under § 12.1-22-03.

Statute
§ 12.1-22-02 NDCC (burglary)
Official source
Justia mirror of North Dakota Century Code (non-official)
Last verified
2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not “your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors, intent, plea, discretion. If you face a real charge, consult a licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.

Robbery Possibly — unconfirmed

Possibly — unconfirmed

Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.

Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed

Robbery — inflicting / attempting bodily injury or threatening imminent bodily injury in the course of a theft (Class C felony) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–5 years
Fine
$0–$10,000

Robbery — possessing / pretending to possess a firearm, destructive device or dangerous weapon; menacing serious bodily injury; inflicting bodily injury; or aided by an accomplice actually present (Class B felony) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–10 years
Fine
$0–$20,000

Robbery — firing a firearm, exploding / hurling a destructive device, or directing the force of another dangerous weapon against another (Class A felony) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–20 years
Fine
$0–$20,000
Note on this entry

Robbery in the course of a theft includes acts in an attempt to commit theft and in immediate flight.

Statute
§ 12.1-22-01 NDCC (robbery)
Official source
Justia mirror of North Dakota Century Code (non-official)
Last verified
2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not “your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors, intent, plea, discretion. If you face a real charge, consult a licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.

Theft Possibly — unconfirmed

Possibly — unconfirmed

Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.

Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed

Theft — value $500 or less, 1st offence meeting the conditions (Class B misdemeanor) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–30 days
Fine
$0–$1,500

Theft — all other theft up to $1,000 (Class A misdemeanor) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–360 days
Fine
$0–$3,000

Theft — value over $1,000; firearm / ammunition / explosive; prescription drug; credit / debit device; livestock; government papers (Class C felony) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–5 years
Fine
$0–$10,000

Theft — value over $10,000 but not over $50,000, or acquired by threat to commit a felony (Class B felony) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–10 years
Fine
$0–$20,000

Theft — value over $50,000 (Class A felony) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–20 years
Fine
$0–$20,000
Note on this entry

Theft by deception / swindle is graded under this same section (§ 12.1-23-02). The Class B-misdemeanour tier for theft of $500 or less applies only to a first offence by shoplifting, or where there was no threat, no fiduciary deception, and the defendant was not a public servant / financial-institution employee. A 4th shoplifting offence within 4 years is a Class C felony.

Statute
§ 12.1-23-05 NDCC (grading of theft offences)
Official source
FindLaw mirror of North Dakota Century Code (non-official)
Last verified
2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not “your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors beyond tier, aggregation, plea, discretion. If you face a real charge, consult a licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.

Vandalism / criminal damage Possibly — unconfirmed

Possibly — unconfirmed

Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.

Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed

Criminal mischief — intentionally causing pecuniary loss over $10,000 (Class B felony) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–10 years
Fine
$0–$20,000

Criminal mischief — intentionally causing pecuniary loss over $2,000 but not over $10,000; damage by explosive / destructive device; or offence while engaged in a riot (Class C felony) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–5 years
Fine
$0–$10,000

Criminal mischief — recklessly causing pecuniary loss over $2,000, or intentionally causing loss of $100–$2,000 (Class A misdemeanor) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–360 days
Fine
$0–$3,000

Criminal mischief — all other cases (Class B misdemeanor) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–30 days
Fine
$0–$1,500
Note on this entry

Tampering with / damaging a critical-infrastructure facility or public service (§ 12.1-21-06) carries separate penalties (not verified in this session).

Statute
§ 12.1-21-05 NDCC (criminal mischief)
Official source
Justia mirror of North Dakota Century Code (non-official)
Last verified
2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not “your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors beyond tier, intent, plea, discretion. If you face a real charge, consult a licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.

Fraud & financial

Fraud Possibly — unconfirmed

Possibly — unconfirmed

Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.

Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed

Forgery — scheme to defraud over $50,000 (Class A felony) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–20 years
Fine
$0–$20,000

Forgery — government obligation / security, or scheme to defraud over $10,000 but not over $50,000 (Class B felony) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–10 years
Fine
$0–$20,000

Forgery — public servant / financial-institution employee, foreign money, plates / dies, purported government writing, or scheme to defraud over $1,000 (Class C felony) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–5 years
Fine
$0–$10,000

Forgery — all other cases (Class A misdemeanor) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–360 days
Fine
$0–$3,000

Theft by deception — graded by value under § 12.1-23-05 Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
See Theft entry
Fine
See Theft entry
Note on this entry

Identity theft (§ 12.1-23-11, reported): using personal identifying information to obtain credit / money / goods / services over $1,000 is a Class B felony; $1,000 or less a Class C felony; a second or subsequent offence a Class A felony.

Statute
§ 12.1-24-01 NDCC (forgery or counterfeiting); § 12.1-23-02 NDCC (theft by deception)
Official source
Justia mirror of North Dakota Century Code (non-official)
Last verified
2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not “your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors beyond tier, loss amount, plea, discretion. If you face a real charge, consult a licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.

Drugs

Drug possession Possibly — unconfirmed

Possibly — unconfirmed

Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.

Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed

Possession of a controlled substance (other than marijuana / THC) — 1st offence (Class A misdemeanor) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–360 days
Fine
$0–$3,000

Possession of a controlled substance (other than marijuana / THC) — 2nd or subsequent offence (Class C felony) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–5 years
Fine
$0–$10,000

Possession of marijuana under 1/2 oz (14.175 g), or THC under 2 g (infraction) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
Fine only
Fine
$0–$1,000

Possession of marijuana 1/2 oz to 500 g, or THC 2–6 g (Class B misdemeanor) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–30 days
Fine
$0–$1,500

Possession of marijuana over 500 g, or THC over 6 g (Class A misdemeanor) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–360 days
Fine
$0–$3,000
Note on this entry

Possession on school property is a Class B felony (non-marijuana / non-THC). A person convicted of an infraction who has two prior convictions for the same infraction within one year may be sentenced as a Class B misdemeanour.

Statute
§ 19-03.1-23(7) NDCC (possession)
Official source
Justia mirror of North Dakota Century Code (non-official)
Last verified
2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not “your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors beyond tier, intent, plea, discretion, county variation. If you face a real charge, consult a licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.

Drug trafficking / sale Possibly — unconfirmed

Possibly — unconfirmed

Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.

Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed

Manufacture / delivery — Schedule I / II narcotic drug or methamphetamine (Class A felony, reported) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–20 years
Fine
$0–$20,000

Manufacture / delivery — other Schedule I / II / III drug, or marijuana (Class B felony, reported) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–10 years
Fine
$0–$20,000

Manufacture / delivery — Schedule IV drug (Class C felony, reported) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–5 years
Fine
$0–$10,000

Manufacture / delivery — Schedule V drug (Class A misdemeanor, reported) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–360 days
Fine
$0–$3,000

Delivery causing death or injury by overdose (Class A felony, reported) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–20 years
Fine
$0–$20,000
Note on this entry

All trafficking tiers below are reported, not read from official text in this session. Delivery to a minor and delivery on / near school property carry enhanced penalties under §§ 19-03.1-23.1–19-03.1-23.2 (not detailed here).

Statute
§ 19-03.1-23(1) NDCC (manufacture / delivery / possession with intent to deliver)
Official source
Justia mirror of North Dakota Century Code (non-official)
Last verified
2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not “your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors beyond tier, intent, plea, discretion, county variation. If you face a real charge, consult a licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.

Weapons

Weapons offences Possibly — unconfirmed

Possibly — unconfirmed

Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.

Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed

Possession of a firearm by a prohibited person (felony conviction, etc.) (Class C felony, reported) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–5 years
Fine
$0–$10,000

Violating a protection-order firearm prohibition — 1st violation (Class A misdemeanor, reported) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–360 days
Fine
$0–$3,000

Violating a protection-order firearm prohibition — 2nd or subsequent violation (Class C felony, reported) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–5 years
Fine
$0–$10,000
Note on this entry

North Dakota is a permitless-carry (constitutional-carry) state: eligible adults may carry a concealed firearm without a permit. Armed-offender mandatory minimums (§ 12.1-32-02.1): 4 years if the underlying offence is a Class AA / A / B felony, 2 years if Class C.

Statute
§ 62.1-02-01 NDCC (possession of firearm by prohibited person); § 14-07.1-06 NDCC (protection-order firearm violation)
Official source
WomensLaw.org summary of North Dakota gun law (non-official)
Last verified
2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not “your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors, plea, discretion. If you face a real charge, consult a licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.

Traffic & transport

DUI / drink driving Possibly — unconfirmed

Possibly — unconfirmed

Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.

Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed

DUI — 1st offence (Class B misdemeanor) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–2 days
Fine
$500 (BAC under 0.16) / $750 (BAC 0.16+)

Addiction evaluation required.

DUI — 2nd offence in 7 years (Class B misdemeanor) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
10 days–30 days
Fine
$1,500

360 days in the 24/7 sobriety programme.

DUI — 3rd offence in 7 years (Class A misdemeanor) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
120 days–360 days
Fine
$2,000

360 days in the 24/7 programme + 360 days supervised probation.

DUI — 4th or subsequent offence in 15 years (Class C felony) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
1 year + 1 day–5 years
Fine
$2,000

2 years in the 24/7 programme + 2 years supervised probation.

Note on this entry

All DUI tiers below are reported from a law-firm summary, not read from official text in this session. Criminal vehicular injury is up to 5 years; criminal vehicular homicide up to 20 years (Class A felony, reported).

Statute
§ 39-08-01 NDCC (DUI)
Official source
DrunkDrivingAttorneys.com summary of North Dakota DUI law (non-official)
Last verified
2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not “your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors beyond tier, BAC, plea, discretion. If you face a real charge, consult a licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.

Cyber & digital

Cybercrime / hacking Possibly — unconfirmed

Possibly — unconfirmed

Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.

Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed

Computer fraud — unauthorised access / alteration / damage / copying / disclosure / destruction of a computer, system or network, with intent to defraud (Class C felony) Possibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
0–5 years
Fine
$0–$10,000
Note on this entry

Identity theft (§ 12.1-23-11, reported): obtaining credit / money / goods / services over $1,000 with another's personal identifying information is a Class B felony; $1,000 or less a Class C felony; a second or subsequent offence a Class A felony.

Statute
§ 12.1-06.1-08 NDCC (computer fraud — computer crime)
Official source
University of Toronto reproduction of the North Dakota Criminal Code, quoting § 12.1-06.1-08 (non-official)
Last verified
2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not “your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors, loss amount, plea, discretion. If you face a real charge, consult a licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.