This bill amends section 31-01-16 of the North Dakota Century Code, which pertains to the compensation and reimbursement of mileage and travel expenses for witnesses in civil and criminal cases. The bill establishes that witnesses are entitled to receive a daily compensation of twenty-five dollars for their attendance at court or other tribunals, excluding municipal court. Additionally, it specifies that witnesses will be reimbursed for mileage and travel expenses at the rates set for state employees.

Furthermore, the bill outlines that in criminal cases, the attorney general is responsible for paying prosecution witness fees and expenses, capped at thirty thousand dollars per county per biennium. The commission on legal counsel for indigents will cover witness fees for cases where counsel has been provided. Notably, prisoners are excluded from receiving compensation as witnesses. The bill also introduces a provision allowing counties to enter agreements to share unused reimbursement funds if a county exceeds the thirty thousand dollar limit during a biennium, pending approval from the attorney general.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 31-01-16