North Dakota Code § 12.1-32-02

Sentencing alternatives - Credit for time in custody - Diagnostic testing
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1. a. Every person convicted of an offense who is sentenced by the court must be 
sentenced to one or a combination of the following alternatives, unless the 
sentencing alternatives are otherwise specifically provided in the statute defining 
the offense or sentencing is deferred under subsection 4:
(1) Payment of the reasonable costs of the person's prosecution.
(2) Probation.
(3) A term of imprisonment, including intermittent imprisonment:

(a) In a state correctional facility in accordance with section 29-27-07, in a 
regional corrections center, or in a county jail, if convicted of a felony 
or a class A misdemeanor.
(b) In a county jail or in a regional corrections center, if convicted of a 
class B misdemeanor.
(c) In a facility or program deemed appropriate for the treatment of the 
individual offender, including available community -based or 
faith-based programs.
(d) In the case of persons convicted of an offense who are under eighteen 
years of age at the time of sentencing, the court is limited to 
sentencing the minor defendant to a term of imprisonment in the 
custody of the department of corrections and rehabilitation.
(4) A fine.
(5) Restitution for damages resulting from the commission of the offense.
(6) A no contact order prohibiting contact with a victim of the offense.
(7) Restoration of damaged property or other appropriate work detail.
(8) Commitment to an appropriate licensed public or private institution for 
treatment of alcoholism, drug addiction, or mental disease or defect.
(9) Commitment to a sexual offender treatment program.
(10) Treatment court program. A treatment court is a district court supervised 
treatment program approved by the supreme court which combines judicial 
supervision with alcohol and drug testing and substance use disorder 
treatment in a licensed treatment program. The supreme court may adopt 
rules, including rules of procedure, for treatment court programs.
(11) Veterans treatment docket. A veterans treatment docket is a district court 
supervised docket approved by the supreme court which combines judicial 
supervision with licensed treatment programs to treat substance use 
disorders, mental health conditions, behavioral health conditions, traumatic 
brain injuries, military sexual trauma, and co -occurring disorders. The 
supreme court may adopt rules, including rules of procedure, for veterans 
treatment dockets.
(12) Completion of a restorative justice program. For purposes of this section, 
"restorative justice program" means a system of justice which focuses on 
the rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with victims and the 
community at large.
(13) Mental health court program. A mental health court is a district court 
supervised treatment program approved by the supreme court which 
combines judicial supervision with mental health services and treatment in a 
licensed treatment program. The supreme court may adopt rules, including 
rules of procedure, for mental health court programs.
(14) An order prohibiting contact.
b. Except as provided in section 12.1 -32-06.1, sentences imposed under this 
subsection may not exceed in duration the maximum sentences of imprisonment 
provided by section 12.1 -32-01, section 12.1-32-09, or as provided specifically in 
a statute defining an offense. This subsection does not permit the unconditional 
discharge of an offender following conviction. A sentence under paragraph 5 or 7 
of subdivision a must be imposed in the manner provided in section 12.1 -32-08. 
For purposes of this subsection, "victim" means victim as defined in section 
12.1-34-01.
2. Credit against any sentence to a term of imprisonment must be given by the court to a 
defendant for all time spent in custody as a result of the criminal charge for which the 
sentence was imposed or as a result of the conduct on which such charge was based. 
"Time spent in custody" includes time spent in custody in a jail or mental institution for 
the offense charged, whether that time is spent prior to trial, during trial, pending 
sentence, or pending appeal. The total amount of credit the defendant is entitled to for 

time spent in custody and any credit for sentence reduction under section 12 -44.1-32 
or 12-54.1-01 the defendant is entitled to must be stated in the criminal judgment.
3. A court may suspend the execution of all or a part of the sentence imposed. The court 
shall place the defendant on probation during the term of suspension.
4. A court, upon application or its own motion, may defer imposition of sentence. The 
court must place the defendant on probation during the period of deferment. An order 
deferring imposition of sentence is reviewable upon appeal from a verdict or judgment. 
In any subsequent prosecution, for any other offense, the prior conviction for which 
imposition of sentence is deferred may be pleaded and proved, and has the same 
effect as if probation had not been granted or the information or indictment dismissed 
under section 12.1-32-07.1.
5. A court may, prior to imposition of sentence, order the convicted offender committed to 
an appropriate licensed public or private institution for diagnostic testing for such 
period of time as may be necessary, but not to exceed thirty days. The court may, by 
subsequent order, extend the period of commitment for not to exceed thirty additional 
days. The court may also order such diagnostic testing without ordering commitment to 
an institution. Validity of a sentence must not be challenged on the ground that 
diagnostic testing was not performed pursuant to this subsection.
6. All sentences imposed must be accompanied by a written statement by the court 
setting forth the reasons for imposing the particular sentence. The statement must 
become part of the record of the case.
7. If an offender is sentenced to a term of imprisonment, that term of imprisonment 
commences at the time of sentencing, unless, upon motion of the defendant, the court 
orders the term to commence at some other time.
8. Unless otherwise specifically authorized in the statute defining the offense, a court 
may not include a minimum term of imprisonment as part of its sentence.
9. A person who is convicted of a felony and sentenced to imprisonment for not more 
than three hundred sixty days is deemed to have been convicted of a misdemeanor. 
However, if an order is entered revoking a term of probation that was imposed as part 
of a sentence, the person is deemed to have been convicted of a felony.
10. A court shall order a defendant to pay fifty dollars to the department of corrections and 
rehabilitation at the time a presentence investigation is initiated to partially defray the 
costs incurred by the department for the preparation of the presentence report. The 
court may also order that any additional costs incurred by the department relating to 
the presentence investigation and report be paid by the defendant at a rate of payment 
up to the full costs of conducting the investigation and preparing the report as 
established by the department.
11. Before sentencing a defendant on a felony charge under section 12.1 -20-03, 
12.1-20-03.1, 12.1-20-11, 12.1-27.2-02, 12.1-27.2-03, 12.1-27.2-04, or 12.1-27.2-05, a 
court shall order the department of corrections and rehabilitation to conduct a 
presentence investigation and to prepare a presentence report. A presentence 
investigation for a charge under section 12.1 -20-03 must include a risk assessment. A 
court may order the inclusion of a risk assessment in any presentence investigation. In 
all felony or class A misdemeanor offenses, in which force, as defined in section 
12.1-01-04, or threat of force is an element of the offense or in violation of section 
12.1-22-02, or an attempt to commit the offenses, a court, unless a presentence 
investigation has been ordered, must receive a criminal record report before the 
sentencing of the defendant. Unless otherwise ordered by the court, the criminal 
record report must be conducted by the department of corrections and rehabilitation 
after consulting with the prosecuting attorney regarding the defendant's criminal 
record. The criminal record report must be in writing, filed with the court before 
sentencing, and made a part of the court's record of the sentencing proceeding.

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