§ 12.1-10-03 — Refusal to testify

1. A person is guilty of a class A misdemeanor if, without lawful privilege, he refuses:
a. To answer a question pertinent to the subject under inquiry in an official
proceeding before the legislative assembly, or one of its session or interim
committees, and continues in such a refusal after the presiding officer directs him
to answer, and advises him that his continuing refusal may make him subject to
criminal prosecution; or
b. To answer a question in any other official proceeding and continues in such
refusal after a court or judge directs or orders him to answer and advises him that
his continuing refusal may make him subject to criminal prosecution.
2. It is a defense to a prosecution under this section that the defendant complied with the
direction or order before his refusal to do so substantially affected the proceeding.