N.D. Cent. Code § 25-03.3-11
25-03.3-11. Preliminary hearing - Probable cause
25-03.3-11. Preliminary hearing - Probable cause
The respondent is entitled to a preliminary hearing within seventy-two hours of being taken
into custody pursuant to an order of the court, excluding weekends and holidays, unless the
respondent knowingly waives the preliminary hearing pursuant to section 25-03.3-09. The
respondent has a right to be present, to testify, and to present and cross-examine witnesses at
any preliminary hearing. The court may receive evidence that would otherwise be inadmissible
at a commitment hearing. If the court determines after a preliminary hearing that there is
probable cause to believe the respondent is a sexually dangerous individual, the court shall
order that the respondent be transferred to an appropriate treatment facility for an evaluation as
to whether the respondent has a congenital or acquired condition that is manifested by a sexual
disorder, a personality disorder, or other mental disorder or dysfunction that makes the
respondent likely to engage in further acts of sexually predatory conduct. If the court determines
that probable cause does not exist to believe that the respondent is a sexually dangerous
individual, the court shall dismiss the petition. If the respondent waives the preliminary hearing,
then the respondent must be immediately transferred to an appropriate treatment facility for an
evaluation as to whether the respondent has a congenital or acquired condition that is
manifested by a sexual disorder, a personality disorder, or other mental disorder or dysfunction
that makes the respondent likely to engage in further acts of sexually predatory conduct. An
individual with an intellectual disability may be evaluated under this chapter at a facility only if
that facility provides care and treatment to individuals with an intellectual disability.