North Dakota Century Code Title 25. Mental and Physical Illness or Disability § 25-03.3-09. Right to counsel--Waiver

1. Every respondent is entitled to legal counsel. Unless an appearance has been entered on behalf of the respondent, the court, within twenty-four hours from the time the petition was filed, exclusive of weekends or holidays, shall appoint counsel to represent the respondent. If a respondent retains counsel, the retained counsel immediately shall notify the court of that fact.

2. After consultation with counsel, the respondent may waive the right to counsel or the right to any hearing provided pursuant to this chapter by notifying the court in writing. The notification must clearly state the respondent's reasons for the waiver and the respondent's counsel shall separately certify that counsel has explained to the respondent the proceedings, the legal and factual issues, potential defenses, the burden of proof, and possible outcomes of the proceedings. No guardian, guardian ad litem, attorney, or other individual may waive the right to counsel on behalf of an individual with an intellectual disability.

3. If the court determines that the respondent is indigent, the court shall appoint counsel and order that appointed counsel be compensated by the county that is the respondent's place of residence in a reasonable amount based upon time and expenses.

4. The state's attorney of a county that has expended sums pursuant to subsection 3 may seek civil recovery of those sums from property of the respondent. Commencement of the action must occur within six years after the date the sums were paid. After notice and hearing, the court may order an individual to reimburse the county for expenditures made on that individual's behalf pursuant to this chapter.