North Dakota Code § 12.1-05-03

Self-defense
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A person is justified in using force upon another person to defend himself against danger of 
imminent unlawful bodily injury, sexual assault, or detention by such other person, except that:
1. A person is not justified in using force for the purpose of resisting arrest, execution of 
process, or other performance of duty by a public servant under color of law, but 
excessive force may be resisted.
2. A person is not justified in using force if:
a. He intentionally provokes unlawful action by another person to cause bodily injury 
or death to such other person; or
b. He has entered into a mutual combat with another person or is the initial 
aggressor unless he is resisting force which is clearly excessive in the 
circumstances. A person's use of defensive force after he withdraws from an 
encounter and indicates to the other person that he has done so is justified if the 
latter nevertheless continues or menaces unlawful action.

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