              THE CONSTITUTION of the STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA
                        (as amended to 1973)

                               PREAMBLE

   We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings 
of civil and religious liberty, do ordain and establish this constitution.

                              ARTICLE I

                       DECLARATION OF RIGHTS

   Section  1.    All men are by nature equally free and independent and have 
certain inalienable rights, among which are those enjoying and defending life 
and  liberty;  acquiring,  possessing and protecting property and reputation; 
and pursuing and obtaining safety and happiness.

   Section 2.   All political power is inherent in the people.  Government is 
instituted for the protection,  security and benefit of the people,  and they 
have  a  right  to  alter or reform the same whenever  the  public  good  may 
require.

   Section  3.    The  state  of North Dakota is an inseparable part  of  the 
American  union and the constitution of the United States is the supreme  law 
of the land.

   Section  4.    The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and 
worship, without discrimination or preference, shall be forever guaranteed in 
this  state,  and no person shall be rendered incompetent to be a witness  or 
juror  on  account  of his opinion on matters of religious  belief;  but  the 
liberty  of conscience hereby secured shall not be so construed as to  excuse 
acts of licentiousness,  or justify practices inconsistent with the peace and 
safety of this state.

  Section  5.   The  privilege  of the writ of habeas corpus  shall  not  be 
suspended  unless,  when in case of rebellion or invasion,  the public safety 
may require.

   Section 6.   All persons shall be bailable by sufficient sureties,  unless 
for  capital  offenses  when the proof is evident or the  presumption  great. 
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed,  nor shall 
cruel   or  unusual  punishments  be  inflicted.   Witnesses  shall  not   be 
unreasonably  detained,  nor  be  confined in any room  where  criminals  are 
actually imprisoned.

   Section  7.    The  right of trial by jury shall be secured  to  all,  and 
remain  inviolate;  but  a jury in civil cases,  in courts not of record  may 
consist of less than twelve men, as may be prescribed by law.

   Section  8.    Until  otherwise provided by law,  no person shall,  for  a 
felony,  be  prosecuted  against criminally,  otherwise than  by  indictment, 
except in cases arising in the land and naval forces,  or in the militia when 
in  actual  service  in time of war or public danger.  In  all  other  cases, 
offenses  shall  be prosecuted criminally by indictment or  information.  The 
legislative assembly may change, regulate or abolish the grand jury system.

   Section 9.   Every man may freely write, speak and publish his opinions on 
all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that privilege. In all civil 
and  criminal trials for libel the truth may be given in evidence,  and shall 
be  a  sufficient defence when the matter is published with good motives  and 
for  justifiable  ends;  and the jury shall have the same power of  giving  a 
general verdict as in other cases; and in all indictments or informations for 
libels the jury shall have the right to determine the law and the facts under 
the direction of the court as in other cases.

   Section 10.  The citizens have a right, in a peaceable manner, to assemble 
together for the common good,  and to apply to those invested with the powers 
of government for the redress of grievances, or for other proper purposes, by 
petition, address or remonstrance.

   Section 11.  All laws of a general nature shall have a uniform operation.

   Section  12.   The  military shall be subordinate to the civil  power.  No 
standing  army  shall be maintained by this state in time of  peace,  and  no 
soldiers  shall,  in  time of peace,  be quartered in any house  without  the 
consent of the owner; nor in time of war,  except in the manner prescribed by 
law.

   Section  13.   In criminal prosecutions in any court whatever,  the  party 
accused  shall  have  the right to a speedy and public  trial;  to  have  the 
process of the court to compel the attendance of witnesses in his behalf; and 
to appear and defend in person and with counsel. No person shall be twice put 
in jeopardy for the same offense, nor be compelled in any criminal case to be 
a  witness  against himself,  nor be deprived of life,  liberty  or  property 
without due process of law.

   Section 14.  Private property shall not be taken or damaged for public use 
without  just compensation having first been made to,  or paid into court for 
the  owner.  NO  right  of  way  shall be appropriated  to  the  use  of  any 
corporation  until  full  compensation  therefor be first made  in  money  or 
ascertained  and paid into court for the owner,  irrespective of any  benefit 
from  any improvement proposed by such corporation,  which compensation shall 
be  ascertained by a jury,  unless a jury be waived,  provided however,  that 
when the state or any of its departments,  agencies or political subdivisions 
seeks to acquire right of way, it may take possession upon making an offer to 
purchase  and  by depositing the amount of such offer with the clerk  of  the 
district  court of the county wherein the right of way is located.  The clerk 
shall  immediately  notify  the owner of such deposit.  The  owner  thereupon 
appeal to the court in the manner provided by law, and may have a jury trial, 
unless a jury be waived, to determine the damages

   Section 15.  No person shall be imprisoned for debt unless upon refusal to 
deliver  up  his estate for the benefit of his creditors,  in such manner  as 
shall  be prescribed by law;  or in cases of tort;  or where there is  strong 
presumption of fraud.

   Section 16.  No bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law impairing the 
obligations of contracts shall ever be passed.

   Section  17.   Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude,  unless for  the 
punishment of crime, shall ever be tolerated in this state.

   Section  18.   The  right  of the people to be secure  in  their  persons, 
houses, papers and effects,  against unreasonable searches and seizures shall 
not  be  violated;  and  no  warrant shall issue  but  upon  probable  cause, 
supported  by  oath or affirmation,  particularly describing the place to  be 
searched and the person and things to be seized.

   Section  19.   Treason against the state shall consist only in levying war 
against it, adhering to its enemies or giving them aid and comfort. No person 
shall  be convicted of treason unless on the evidence of two witnesses to the 
same overt act, or confession in open court.

   Section  20.   No  special privileges or immunities shall ever be  granted 
which  may not be altered,  revoked or repealed by the legislative  assembly; 
nor  shall  any  citizen  or  class of  citizens  be  granted  privileges  or 
immunities which upon the same terms shall not be granted to all citizens.

   Section  21.   The  provisions  of  this constitution  are  mandatory  and 
prohibitory unless, by express words, they are declared to be otherwise.

   Section 22.   All courts shall be open,  and every man for any injury done 
him  in  his  lands,  goods.  person or reputation shall have remedy  by  due 
process  of law,  and right and justice administered without sale,  denial or 
delay. Suits may be brought against the state in such manner, in such courts, 
and in such cases, as the legislative assembly may, by law, direct.

   Section  23.   Every  citizen  of  this  state shall  be  free  to  obtain 
employment wherever possible, and any person, corporation,  or agent thereof, 
maliciously  interfering or hindering in any way,  any citizen from obtaining 
or  enjoying  employment  already obtained,  from any  other  corporation  or 
person, shall be deemed guilty of misdemeanor.

   Section  24.   To guard against transgressions of the high powers which we 
have delegated, we declare that everything in this article is excepted out of 
the general powers of government and shall forever remain inviolate.
