§ 12.1-01-01 — Title - Retroactivity - Application - Contempt power

1. Title 12.1 of the Century Code may be cited as the North Dakota Criminal Code.
2. This title, except as provided in subsection 3, shall not apply to offenses committed
prior to its effective date. Prosecutions for such offenses shall be governed by prior
law, which is continued in effect for that purpose. For the purposes of this section, an
offense was committed prior to the effective date of this title if any of the elements of
the offense occurred prior thereto.
3. In cases pending on or after the effective date of this title, and involving offenses
committed prior thereto:
a. The provisions of this title according a defense or mitigation shall apply, with the
consent of the defendant.
b. The court, with the consent of the defendant, may impose sentence under the
provisions of this title which are applicable to the offense and the offender.
4. This section does not affect the power of a court or legislative assembly to punish for
contempt, or to employ any enforcement sanction authorized by law, nor does this
section affect any power conferred by law upon military authority to impose
punishment upon offenders.