WALK IT THROUGH
59 North Dakota situations taken one decision at a time. Every step says what the law asks of each side, cites it, and links to the section it comes from.
59 walkthroughs
Traffic stops, 11 walkthroughs
- The Stop on the HighwayA night stop with a license on a phone, an insurance card left at home, and a handgun in the console.4 steps →
- The Lights in the MirrorAn ambulance from behind, a trooper on the shoulder, and a car that keeps going.3 steps →
- The Fender BenderA rear-end crash in a parking lot exit, information to swap, and when the police must hear about it.3 steps →
- The Car Without InsuranceA lapsed policy, a stop, a policy bought the next morning, and the year of proof that follows.3 steps →
- The Text at the Red LightA message read at a stoplight, a call on the speaker, a map, and a school zone at recess.3 steps →
- The New DriverA permit at fourteen, the hours behind the wheel, a phone, and the first license.3 steps →
- The Stopped School BusAmber lights ahead, a stop arm out, a divided highway, and the fee for passing.3 steps →
- The Cyclist on the ShoulderA bicycle on a county road, three feet of room, and a turn signal given in time.3 steps →
- The CrosswalkA pedestrian in the crosswalk, a car stopped beside, and a curb stepped off too late.3 steps →
- The Suspended LicenseA suspension for unpaid fines, a drive to work, and a reinstatement inside sixty days.3 steps →
- The ATV on the Gravel RoadA side-by-side on the section line, a paved county road, a twelve year old rider, and a helmet.3 steps →
Being stopped, 5 walkthroughs
- The Question on the SidewalkA stop on foot after a burglary call, a demand for a name, a pat down, and an arrest that follows.3 steps →
- The Night in JailA warrantless arrest, a phone in the property bag, and the trip before a magistrate.3 steps →
- The Warrant at the DoorA knock at dawn, a paper signed by a magistrate, and what officers may do when nobody opens.3 steps →
- The Cash Taken at the StopAn envelope of cash seized from a car, no charge filed, and how forfeiture works now.3 steps →
- The Call to the HouseA shouting match, a neighbor's call, two stories, and the twelve hour rule.4 steps →
Marijuana and drugs, 4 walkthroughs
- The Overdose at the PartySomeone stops breathing at a house party, a call for help, and who the immunity covers.3 steps →
- The Joint in the Cup HolderA speeding stop, the smell of marijuana, and how North Dakota grades a small amount.3 steps →
- The Open Can in the LotA tailgate before the game, a beer in the cab, a passenger under 21, and a cooler in the trunk.3 steps →
- The Fake ID at the BarA borrowed license at the door, a bouncer who keeps it, and the friend who bought the drinks.3 steps →
Impaired driving, 2 walkthroughs
Court and money, 21 walkthroughs
- The Last Day on the JobA firing, a final check that does not come on payday, unused vacation, and a day's pay for each day late.3 steps →
- The Unpaid WagesOverdue checks, a deduction for a broken register, and a claim with the labor department.3 steps →
- The Fall from the LadderA fall on the job, notice to a supervisor within seven days, the claim within a year, and a threat to fire.3 steps →
- The Job That EndedA firing called misconduct, a claim for unemployment, a denial, and twelve days to appeal.3 steps →
- The Jury SummonsA summons in the mail, a manager who says no, jury pay, and ninety days to sue.3 steps →
- The Pay GapA coworker's pay stub, comparable work at lower pay, a complaint, and the two year clock.3 steps →
- The Seventh Day at the StoreA retail schedule with no day off, a request for Sunday morning, and the written statement that matters.3 steps →
- The Split with ChildrenTwo unmarried parents part, a parenting plan, child support by the guidelines, and school records.3 steps →
- The Divorce FilingSix months' residence, irreconcilable differences, temporary support, and the house and the debts.4 steps →
- The Protection Order PetitionA petition, a temporary order, a hearing within fourteen days, and a violation after service.4 steps →
- The Ex Who Will Not StopTexts after a breakup, a tracking app on the car, and private photos posted online.3 steps →
- The Handwritten WillA will written at the kitchen table, no witnesses, a torn copy, and a later typed will.3 steps →
- The Bank Account After a DeathA mother dies without a will, a small estate, an affidavit after thirty days, and who inherits.3 steps →
- The Father Who Is ForgettingAn early diagnosis, a health care directive while there is time, a hospital decision, and a guardianship as a last step.4 steps →
- The Move to Change CustodyA custody order a year old, a parent who keeps blocking visits, and the two year bar.3 steps →
- The Truck That Keeps BreakingA new pickup with a transmission fault, four trips to the dealer, and a refund or replacement.3 steps →
- The Salesman at the DoorA water softener sold at the kitchen table, three business days, and a seller who stalls the refund.3 steps →
- The Garnished PaycheckA notice of garnishment, a list of dependents, the limit on a week's pay, and the car the creditor wants.4 steps →
- The Records RequestEmails from a school board, a clerk who asks why, a meeting recorded on a phone, and the attorney general's review.3 steps →
- The Small Claim Against the MechanicA repair that failed, a demand ignored, an informal hearing, and no appeal afterward.3 steps →
- The Breach LetterA notice from a clinic about stolen data, a credit card opened in a stranger's name, and the charges that follow.3 steps →
Your home, 10 walkthroughs
- The Deposit Held BackA lease ends, thirty days pass with no money and no list, and the statute's treble damages.3 steps →
- The Furnace in JanuaryNo heat in the coldest month, a written notice, repair and deduct, and the right to leave.3 steps →
- The Three Day NoticeRent late, a notice taped to the door, a summons, and five days on a hardship.3 steps →
- The Changed LocksA tenant comes home to a new lock and belongings in the hall, with no court order.3 steps →
- The Month to Month MoveA new job in another town, a month's written notice, and rent up to the last day.3 steps →
- The Lease That Renewed ItselfAn automatic renewal clause, no reminder from the landlord, and a lease that became month to month.3 steps →
- The Landlord at the DoorShowings for the next tenant, a key used without a word, and a leak at midnight.3 steps →
- The Lease and the AbuserA tenant afraid of a former partner, a written notice, and one more month's rent to leave.3 steps →
- The Old EvictionAn eviction for rent long ago, a judgment paid off, and a motion to seal.3 steps →
- The Apartment That Was Suddenly TakenA family with children, a unit available on the phone and gone in person, and two years to sue.3 steps →
Carrying a firearm, 3 walkthroughs
- The Permitless CarryA handgun under a jacket with no license, a stop for coffee, a church, and a bar.3 steps →
- The Intruder at NightA door forced at two in the morning, a homeowner with a gun, and the presumption at home.3 steps →
- The Teenager and the PistolA teenager under 18, a borrowed handgun, a range, a lake, and the parent who allowed it.3 steps →
Charges and penalties, 3 walkthroughs
- The Old ConvictionA misdemeanor years ago, a petition to seal, a hearing after forty-five days, and the vote.3 steps →
- The Dog in the Hot CarA dog panting in a parked car, a call to the police, and a neighbor's dog without food.3 steps →
- The Shoplifting StopA young adult walks out with earbuds, a first offense under $500, and what a repeat would bring.3 steps →
About this guide — education built from the North Dakota Century Code as the Legislative Assembly publishes it, not a law degree in a webpage. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed North Dakota attorney or a legal aid office. Current as of October 2026.