Section 27-20.4-14 - Conduct of hearings1. Hearings under this chapter must be conducted by the court without a jury, in an informal but orderly manner and separately from other proceedings not included in section 27-20.2-03 and in accordance with the North Dakota Rules of Juvenile Procedure.2. If the hearing has not been held within the time limit, or any extension of the time limit, required by the North Dakota Rules of Juvenile Procedure, the petition must be dismissed.3. The state's attorney shall present the evidence in support of any allegations of the petition not admitted and otherwise conduct the proceedings on behalf of the state.4. Except for a diversion under section 27-20.4-10 or an informal adjustment under section 27-20.4-11, the proceedings must be recorded by stenographic notes or by electronic, mechanical, or other appropriate means.5. The general public must be excluded from all hearings under this chapter. During hearings, only the parties, the parties' counsel, witnesses, victims, and any other persons the court finds have a proper interest in the proceedings may be admitted by the court. The court may temporarily exclude the child or other person from the hearing if, after being warned by the court that disruptive conduct will cause removal from the courtroom, the child or other person persists in conduct that justifies removal from the courtroom.Amended by S.L. 2023 , ch. 294( HB 1137 ), § 36, eff. 8/1/2023.Added by S.L. 2021 , ch. 245( HB 1035 ), § 25, eff. 7/1/2021.