North Dakota Century Code Title 19. Foods, Drugs, Oils, and Compounds § 19-03.1-36.2. Forfeiture proceeding as civil action--Standard of proof

1. Forfeiture proceedings are civil actions against the property to be forfeited and the standard of proof is clear and convincing evidence.

2. Forfeiture proceedings are separate and distinct from any related criminal action, and may not be initiated until the owner of the property has been convicted of or pled guilty to a criminal offense, or the individual has died, fled the jurisdiction, been deported by the United States government, been granted immunity or a reduced sentence in exchange for testifying or assisting a law enforcement investigation or prosecution, has abandoned the property, or it can be established beyond a reasonable doubt the property was used in the commission of a crime or constituted the proceeds of criminal activity. As used in this subsection, “abandoned the property” or “fled the jurisdiction” means for a period of more than one year, the owner has not responded to any of the reasonable efforts made by the seizing agency to contact the owner or has not contacted the seizing agency.

3. Two or more law enforcement agencies and courts from different jurisdictions may coordinate, cooperate, and engage in interjurisdictional prosecution under this section.