North Dakota Century Code Title 29. Judicial Procedure, Criminal § 29-32.1-03. Commencement of proceedings--Filing--Service

1. A proceeding is commenced by filing an application with the clerk of the court in which the conviction and sentence took place. The state must be named as respondent. No filing fee is required.

2. An application may be filed at any time.

3. If an application is filed before the time for appeal from the judgment of conviction or sentence has expired, the court, on motion of the applicant, may extend the time for appeal until a final order has been entered in the proceeding under this chapter.

4. If an application is filed while an appeal or other review is pending, the appellate court, on motion of either party or on its own motion, may defer further action on the appeal or other review until the determination of the application by the trial court or may order the application certified and consolidated with the pending appeal or other review.

5. Upon receipt of an application, the clerk shall forthwith file it, make an entry in the appropriate docket, and deliver a copy to the state's attorney of the county in which the criminal action was venued.

6. If the applicant is not represented by counsel, the clerk shall notify the applicant that assistance of counsel may be available to persons unable to obtain counsel. The clerk shall also inform the applicant of the procedure for obtaining counsel.

7. The application may be considered by any judge of the court in which the conviction took place.