A person who willfully harbors a runaway minor with knowledge that the child is being sought by a law enforcement authority is guilty of a class A misdemeanor. This section does not apply to a person who provides temporary sanctuary, not exceeding seventy-two hours, to a runaway minor who is seeking refuge from a physically, sexually, or mentally abusive person. For the purposes of this section, a “runaway minor” is an unemancipated minor who is voluntarily absent from the minor’s home without the consent of a minor’s parent entitled to legal custody of the minor or legal guardian with the intention of evading the direction or control of the parent or guardian. This section does not apply to persons providing temporary sanctuary to minors accompanied by a parent or legal guardian in a domestic violence shelter or safe home.

Attorney's Note

Under the North Dakota Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
Class A misdemeanorup to 360 daysup to $3,000
For details, see § 12.1-32-01
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Terms Used In North Dakota Code 12.1-08-10

  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • person: includes , where relevant, a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, unincorporated association, or other legal entity. See North Dakota Code 12.1-01-04