North Dakota Code § 12.1-23-14

Detention of persons suspected of unlawful use or removal of theft
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detection devices - Reasonable cause.
1. The activation of an antishoplifting or inventory control device as a result of a person 
exiting the establishment or a protected area within the establishment constitutes 
reasonable cause for the detention of the person exiting by the owner or operator of 
the establishment or by an agent or employee of the owner or operator, provided 
sufficient notice has been posted to advise the patrons that the device is being utilized. 
Each detention must be made in a reasonable manner and only for a reasonable 
period of time sufficient for any inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the 
activation of the device or for the recovery of goods.
2. If the taking into custody and detention of the person by a law enforcement officer, 
security officer, merchant, or merchant's employee is done in compliance with the 
requirements of this section, the law enforcement officer, security officer, merchant, or 
merchant's employee may not be held criminally or civilly liable, including any liability 

for false arrest, false imprisonment, unlawful detention, malicious prosecution, 
intentional infliction of emotional distress, or defamation.

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