Skip to content
ImNotAnAttorney logo

North Dakota Assault Law

North Dakota Assault Defense

What you're facing under N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-17-01, how the penalties scale, and the questions your attorney needs to answer, specific to North Dakota (ND) law.

Offense Class

Class B Misdemeanor (first); Class A Misdemeanor (subsequent or against specific victims)

Maximum Penalty

30 days (first); 1 year (subsequent or against specific victims)

Maximum Fine

$1,500 (first); $3,000 (subsequent)

Penalty Range in North Dakota

StatuteN.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-17-01 — Simple Assault
Minimum Penalty
Maximum Penalty30 days (first); 1 year (subsequent or against specific victims)
Maximum Fine$1,500 (first); $3,000 (subsequent)

Charge Enhancements

These factors can elevate the charge or penalty in North Dakota:

  • Victim is a peace officer or emergency responder (Class A Misdemeanor)
  • Prior assault convictions

North Dakota-Specific Detail

Bodily injury means any impairment of physical condition, including physical pain. Assault against certain protected victims is automatically a Class A Misdemeanor.

Is your North Dakota assault case defense on track?

The free Defense Score checks 10 critical defense behaviors specific to assault cases. Takes 2 minutes. Instant results.

Take the Free Defense Score

DUI Defense Playbook$127

26 questions that change how the next attorney meeting goes, a case stage roadmap, red flag checklist, and a case progress scorecard. Instant PDF download, relevant to North Dakota defendants.

Important: This page provides legal INFORMATION about North Dakota assault possession law as of the date of publication. Laws change frequently. This is not legal advice. The analysis draws on methods developed by defense attorneys, applied to public data. Your attorney remains the final authority on defense direction.