---
title: 'North Dakota'
description: 'In 1915, North Dakota abolished the death penalty except for two crimes: treason and murder committed by an inmate already serving a life sentence. The…'
canonical: 'https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/state-and-federal-info/state-by-state/north-dakota'
section: statePages
date: '2017-10-12T13:54:00-04:00'
updated: '2026-10-02T19:32:23-04:00'
source: 'Death Penalty Information Center'
---

!  

**Milestones in Abolition/Reinstatement**
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In 1915, North Dakota abolished the death penalty except for two crimes: treason and murder committed by an inmate already serving a life sentence. The last remnants of capital punishment were abolished in 1973.

**Interesting Facts**
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North Dakota has carried out only 8 executions in its history.

The last person executed in North Dakota was John Rooney in 1905.

  ! North Dakota State Capitol. Photo by Bobak Ha'Eri.

  **Resources**
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- [Department of Corrections](http://www.nd.gov/docr/)
- [ACLU of North Dakota](https://www.aclund.org/)
- [North Dakota State's Attorneys Association](http://www.ndsaa.org/)
- [Public defender's office](http://www.nd.gov/indigents/attorney/)
- [Victims' services](http://www.nd.gov/docr/programs/victims.html)