Page:1973 North Dakota Session Laws.pdf/229

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CRIMES
CHAPTER 116
229

upon or in the dwelling or place of work, and the use of force other than deadly force for such purposes would expose anyone to substantial danger of serious bodily injury;

d. When used by a public servant authorized to effect arrests or prevent escapes, if such force is necessary to effect an arrest or to prevent the escape from custody of a person who has committed or attempted to commit a felony involving violence, or is attempting to escape by the use of a deadly weapon, or has otherwise indicated that he is likely to endanger human life or to inflict serious bodily injury unless apprehended without delay;

e. When used by a guard or other public servant, if such force is necessary to prevent the escape of a prisoner from a detention facility, unless he knows that the prisoner is not such a person as described in subdivision d above. A detention facility is any place used for the confinement, pursuant to a court order, of a person (1) charged with or convicted of an offense; or (2) charged with being or adjudicated a juvenile delinquent; or (3) held for extradition; or (4) otherwise confined pursuant to court order;

f. When used by a duly licensed physician, or a person acting at his direction, if such force is necessary to administer a recognized form of treatment to promote the physical or mental health of a patient and if the treatment is administered (1) in an emergency; (2) with the consent of the patient, or, if the patient is a minor or an incompetent person, with the consent of his parent, guardian, or other person entrusted with his care and supervision; or (3) by order of a court of competent jurisdiction; or

g. When used by a person who is directed or authorized by a public servant, and who does not know that, if such is the case, the public servant is himself not authorized to use deadly force under the circumstances.

12.1-05-08. EXCUSE.) A person's conduct is excused if he believes that the facts are such that his conduct is necessary and appropriate for any of purposes which would establish a justification or excuse under this chapter, even though his belief is mistaken. However, if his belief is negligently or recklessly held, it is not an excuse in a prosecution for an offense for which negligence or recklessness, as the case may be, suffices to establish culpability. Excuse under this subsection is a defense or affirmative defense according to which type of defense would be established had the facts been as the person believed them to be.

12.1-05-09 MISTAKE OF LAW.) Except as otherwise expressly provided, a person's good faith belief that conduct does not constitute a crime is an affirmative defense if he acted in reasonable reliance upon a statement of the law contained in: