42-02 Abatement of Common Nuisance
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bring an action in the name of the state to abate and perpetually enjoin the nuisance.42-02-02. Injunction - Proceedings. If the action is brought by a citizen, that citizenshall give a bond in an amount sufficient to cover the costs of such action as the court may direct.
An injunction shall be granted at the commencement of an action for the abatement of a
nuisance in the usual manner of granting injunctions, except that the affidavit or complaint, or
both, may be made by the state's attorney, the attorney general, or an assistant, upon
information and belief. When an injunction, either temporary or permanent, has been granted
under the provisions of this section, it shall be binding on the defendant or defendants throughout
the entire state.42-02-03. Temporary injunction - When officers take possession of property. If, atthe time of granting the temporary injunction, an affidavit shall be presented to the court or judge
stating or showing that acts are being committed contrary to law upon the premises where said
nuisance is located, the court or judge must issue the court's or judge's warrant commanding the
officer serving said writ of injunction, at the time of service, to take possession and custody of
any articles or property used or employed contrary to law. The officer shall take and hold the
possession of such property until final judgment is entered, or until the possession of such
property shall be disposed of by an order of the court or judge upon a hearing had before it for
such purpose. The expense for such holding shall be taxed as a part of the costs in the action.42-02-04. Nuisance - Abatement. If a place is found, upon the judgment of a jury,court, or judge having jurisdiction, to be a nuisance, a law enforcement officer of the county or
city where the nuisance is located shall close and abate such place by taking possession thereof,
together with all personal property used in keeping and maintaining the nuisance, and close the
same against use by anyone and keep it closed for a period of one year from the date of the
judgment decreeing it to be a nuisance. After judgment, such officer publicly shall destroy the
personal property used in keeping and maintaining the nuisance. Any person breaking open said
building, erection, or place or using the premises so ordered to be closed shall be punished for
contempt as provided by this chapter.42-02-05. When premises released. If the proceeding is an action either at law or inequity and a bond is given and the costs therein are paid, the premises shall be released at the
end of one year from the date of the service of the temporary injunctional order, if in an equity
case, or from the closing of the premises, if in a criminal case. In the meantime, and in either
form of action, the premises where such nuisance was kept and maintained shall be regarded as
being under a restraining order of the court, a violation of which will subject the violator to
punishment for contempt. The release of the property under the provisions of this section shall
not release it from any judgment, lien, penalty, or liability to which it may be subject under any
statute or law.42-02-06.Termination of lease by owner under injunction releases property -Notice to tenant. When leasehold premises are closed under an injunctional order or have been
adjudged to be a nuisance, the owner thereof shall have the right to terminate the lease by giving
three days' notice thereof in writing to the tenant, and after giving such notice, if the owner shall
prove to the court that the owner was without fault, and had not knowingly nor negligently
permitted the keeping or maintaining of the nuisance complained of, the premises shall be turned
over to the owner upon the order of the court. The release of the property shall be upon the
condition that the nuisance shall not be continued and that the return of the property shall not
release any lien upon said property occasioned by any prosecution of the tenant. If the owner
appears and pays all costs of the proceedings and files a bond with sureties to be approved by
the court, conditioned that the owner immediately will abate said nuisance and will prevent it from
being established or kept therein within the period of one year thereafter, the court or the judge, ifPage No. 1satisfied of the owner's good faith, may order that the premises taken and closed be released
and the said order of abatement canceled so far as it may relate to said property.42-02-07.Evidence admissible.In a prosecution under this chapter in a civilproceeding, evidence of the general reputation of the house, building, room, or place designated
in the complaint shall be admissible for the purpose of proving the existence of a nuisance. Proof
of the fact that any person has pleaded guilty to violation of the provisions of any city ordinance
or any other law of the land enacted to prevent a nuisance also is admissible, if it can be shown
further that such person, when pleading guilty, was or had been, at the time and place mentioned
in the complaint in the action then pending before the court, a frequenter or inmate of such
house, building, room, or place, and such proof shall be deemed prima facie evidence of the guilt
of the defendant.42-02-08. Claim of privilege denied. No person shall be excused from giving anytestimony or evidence upon any investigation or proceeding for a violation of this chapter upon
the ground that such testimony would tend to convict the person of a crime, but such testimony
or evidence shall not be received against the person upon any criminal investigation or
proceeding.42-02-09. Reasonable attorney's fees. In case judgment is rendered in favor of theplaintiff in any action brought under the provisions of section 42-02-02, the court or judge
rendering it also shall render judgment for reasonable attorney's fees in favor of the plaintiff and
against the defendants therein. Such attorney's fees shall be taxed and collected as other costs
in the action, and when collected shall be paid to the attorney for the plaintiff therein. If such
attorney is the attorney general or state's attorney, such attorney's fees shall be paid into the
county treasury and credited to the general fund of the county.42-02-10. Injunction - Penalty for violation.Any person violating the terms of aninjunction for the abatement of a nuisance in any place in this state is guilty of contempt of court.42-02-11. Contempt proceeding. A contempt proceeding arising out of the violation ofany injunction granted under the provisions of this chapter must be conducted in the manner
prescribed for the conduct of such proceeding in chapter 27-10.Page No. 2Document Outlinechapter 42-02 abatement of common nuisance