South Dakota · Criminal & Records
The South Dakota Criminal Law Guide
Understand felony classes, sentencing possibilities like presumptive probation, the arraignment process, and how a criminal case moves through the South Dakota court system.
2026-2027 Edition · Cited to South Dakota law · Plain language
Paperback · $19.99
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Cited to the statute · Legal information, not legal advice
How a South Dakota criminal case works, from arrest to sentencing
Felony classes, bail and pretrial release, arraignment, presumptive probation, and SIS sentences under South Dakota law.
ABOUT THIS BOOK
An arrest or a criminal charge can turn a family's life upside down overnight. The court dates, the bail decisions, and the unfamiliar legal terms arrive all at once.
The South Dakota Criminal Law Guide explains how criminal cases move through South Dakota's courts under Title 22 and Title 23A of the South Dakota Codified Laws. It covers the nine felony classes, from Class A down to Class 6, with the maximum prison terms and fines set by SDCL 22-6-1, and how misdemeanors differ.
The guide walks through each stage of a case: the initial appearance, the South Dakota bail hearing and its preference for personal recognizance release, the preliminary hearing, grand jury indictment, arraignment, pretrial motions, trial, sentencing, and appeals. It also explains features specific to South Dakota, including:
• Presumptive probation for many Class 5 and Class 6 felonies
• Suspended imposition of sentence (SIS), which can end with a sealed record
• Habitual offender enhancements for repeat felony convictions
• Common defenses, including self-defense, insanity, duress, and entrapment
Separate sections speak to the accused person and to the family members and supporters helping them, with real-world questions and answers, a deadlines table, checklists, and a glossary.
This guide is for people facing charges in South Dakota and the families who stand beside them. Legal information, not legal advice.
WHAT’S INSIDE
- The Foundation: South Dakota Codified Laws Title 22
- Classifying Crimes: Felonies vs. Misdemeanors
- Special Sentencing Rules and Enhancements
- The First Steps: Arrest, Bail, and Initial Appearances
- Exceptions and Common Defenses
- Rights of a Family Member or Supporter
- Step-by-step procedures from each side, with deadlines at a glance
- 26 real-world questions and answers
- Statute index, key court decisions and official forms
- Toolkit: checklists, comparison tables, glossary and common mistakes to avoid
WHY READERS TRUST THIS GUIDE
Plain language. Cited to the statute. Dated so you know it is current.
Every rule is cited to South Dakota law so you can verify it.
Cited, so you can check it
Every rule names the section of South Dakota law it comes from, so you can read the source yourself.
Plain language, no filler
Written to be read start to finish by someone with no legal training, with worked examples.
Dated and updated
Each guide carries a law-current date and new editions ship when the law changes.
Bonus toolkit
Register your book for this topic’s checklists, worksheets and starter template, as soon as they are ready.
QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU BUY
South Dakota criminal charges: what to know before you order.
Straight answers about what the guide is, what it covers and how it reaches you.
What are the felony classes in South Dakota?
South Dakota divides felonies into nine classes, from Class A down to Class 6. A Class 6 felony carries up to two years in prison and a $4,000 fine (SDCL 22-6-1). The guide includes a table for every class.
What is a suspended imposition of sentence (SIS) in South Dakota?
An SIS places a person on probation without entering a judgment of guilt. If probation is completed, the case is dismissed and the record sealed. A felony SIS can be granted only once. The guide explains how it works.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is legal information in plain language, cited to the law, so you understand your options and know what to ask. Reading it creates no attorney-client relationship.
Is it written for South Dakota?
Yes. This guide is written for South Dakota law and cites the South Dakota statutes and rules it relies on. If your case is in another state, choose that state's edition.
KEEP GOING
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PLEASE READ
Legal information, not legal advice. STACKED LEGAL® is a publisher, not a law firm. Buying or reading this book creates no attorney-client relationship and promises no outcome. Laws change; verify current law and talk to a licensed attorney in South Dakota about your situation.
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