North Dakota Code 12.1-35-03 – Information about child victims or witnesses of crimes generally may not appear in public record
1. In order to protect the child from possible trauma resulting from publicity, the name of the child victim or child witness of a crime, except as specified in subsection 2, and identifying biographical information may not appear on the indictment or any other public record. Instead, a Jane Doe or Joe Doe designation must appear in all public records. Sealed confidential records containing the child’s name and necessary biographical information must be kept in order to ensure that no defendant is charged twice.
Terms Used In North Dakota Code 12.1-35-03
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.
- Offense: means conduct for which a term of imprisonment or a fine is authorized by statute after conviction. See North Dakota Code 12.1-01-04
2. Interviews and statements of child victims or child witnesses obtained during an investigation of a crime of a violent or sexual nature are exempt.
3. Subsection 1 does not apply to the name and identifying biographical information of:
a. A child victim or child witness of a criminal offense under title 39 or equivalent ordinance; and
b. A child victim of a fire.