N.D. Cent. Code § 51-23-22: Affirmative defense

It is a defense in any complaint, information, indictment, or any writ or proceeding brought under this chapter alleging a violation of section 51-23-03 based solely on the failure in an individual case to make physical delivery within the applicable time period under subsection 5 of section 51-23-02 or subdivision b of subsection 1 of section 51-23-05 if:

1.Failure to make physical delivery was due solely to factors beyond the control of the seller, the seller's officers, directors, partners, agents, servants, or employees, every person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions, every person who directly or indirectly controls or is controlled by the seller, or any of them, the seller's affiliates, subsidiaries, or successors; and

2.Physical delivery was completed within a reasonable time under the applicable circumstances.