Three Strikes and Habitual Offender Laws in North Dakota

North Dakota has a habitual offender law rather than a mandatory 'three strikes' rule. A court may impose an extended sentence on an adult convicted of a felony who has two prior felony convictions (anywhere in the U.S.) for crimes committed at different times as an adult; the same extension is available for dangerous special offenders (for example, persistent aggressive behavior, professional criminals, repeat life-endangering offenses, or use of a firearm or dangerous weapon). The extended maximum is life imprisonment for a Class A felony, 20 years for a Class B felony and 10 years for a Class C felony. The prosecutor must file notice before trial or plea, and a hearing is held before sentencing; prior convictions that are invalid or pardoned on grounds of innocence are disregarded.