Criminal laws are important for communities, states, and the nation as whole. At best, the serve as as deterrent for would-be criminals, but they also reflect the times and political struggles of a given jurisdiction. Welcome to FindLaw's section on the criminal laws of North Dakota, with legalese-free explanations of some of the state's more common criminal statutes. This section covers serious crimes such as child abuse and stalking, as well as criminal laws addressing vices such as heroin and cocaine. In addition, you'll learn about the state's criminal statute of limitations and the process for obtaining a protective order. Click on a link below to learn more about North Dakota's criminal laws.