N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-04.1-18
12.1-04.1-18. Form of verdict or finding
12.1-04.1-18. Form of verdict or finding
If the issue of lack of criminal responsibility is submitted to the trier of fact:
1. In a unitary trial, the trier of fact must first determine whether the prosecuting attorney
has proven that the defendant committed the crime charged. In a bifurcated trial, the
trier of fact must first determine whether the prosecuting attorney has proven that the
defendant committed the crime charged and, if so, whether the defendant is criminally
responsible. Each determination must be made at the conclusion of the phase of the
trial at which the respective issue is tried. If the trier of fact concludes that the
prosecuting attorney failed to prove that the defendant committed the crime charged,
the appropriate verdict or finding is "not guilty".
2. If the trier of fact determines that the defendant committed the crime charged and the
defendant was criminally responsible for that crime, the appropriate verdict or finding is
"guilty".
3. If the trier of fact determines that the defendant committed the crime charged, but was
not criminally responsible for that crime, the appropriate verdict or finding is a
statement that the defendant committed the crime charged but that the defendant is
"not guilty by reason of lack of criminal responsibility".