N.D. Cent. Code § 25-03.1-14: Duty of state's attorney in court proceedings

Unless the petitioner has retained an attorney, the state's attorney for the county in which proceedings under this chapter are initiated shall appear and represent the state in all court proceedings and hearings. The state's attorney or an attorney retained by the petitioner need not appear at proceedings initiated by the state hospital under sections 25-03.1-23 and 25-03.1-26. The county of residence of the respondent shall bear the cost of the state's attorney in such proceedings in a reasonable amount based upon time and expenses.