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.

Terms Used In North Dakota Code 25-03.3-11

  • 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.
  • Individual: means a human being. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49
  • Preliminary hearing: A hearing where the judge decides whether there is enough evidence to make the defendant have a trial.
  • Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.