The taking, receiving, reserving, or charging of a rate of interest greater than is allowed by the laws of this state relative to usury shall be deemed a forfeiture of the entire interest which the note, bill, or other evidence of debt carries with it or which has been agreed to be paid thereon, and in addition thereto, a forfeiture of twenty-five percent of the principal thereof. In case the greater rate of interest has been paid, the person by whom it has been paid, or that person’s legal representative may:

Terms Used In North Dakota Code 47-14-10

  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Person: means an individual, organization, government, political subdivision, or government agency or instrumentality. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49
  • Usury: Charging an illegally high interest rate on a loan. Source: OCC

1.    Recover back twice the amount of interest thus paid, together with twenty-five percent of the principal from the person taking or receiving the same, but an action must be commenced for such purpose within four years after the time when the usurious transaction occurred; or

2.    Offset twice the amount of such interest against any indebtedness which the person who paid the same owes to the party or parties receiving such usurious interest.