Are Autopsy Reports Public in South Dakota? (2026)
Autopsy reports are generally not public in South Dakota. The state AG holds them exempt under SDCL 1-27-1.5(5). Learn who can request a coroner report and how.
6 min read
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South Dakota Laws
72 articles · page 1 of 2
Bankruptcy in South Dakota (2026): Exemptions & Means Test
South Dakota opted out of federal exemptions. Its homestead has no dollar cap and is limited only by acreage, and a personal-property allowance covers a vehicle.
6 min read
Common Law Marriage in South Dakota: Is It Recognized? (2026)
South Dakota does not recognize new common law marriages. SDCL 25-1-29 abolished formation after July 1, 1959. South Dakota does recognize valid out-of-state CLMs.
8 min read
How Long Is a Life Sentence in South Dakota? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to life sentences in South Dakota: parole eligibility, LWOP rules, notable cases, recent legislative changes, and sentencing statutes. Updated March 2026.
8 min read
How to Find a Cause of Death in South Dakota (2026)
Find a cause of death in South Dakota via the death certificate, autopsy report, or obituary. Anyone can order an informational copy showing the cause for $15.
6 min read
How to Get a South Dakota Death Certificate (2026)
Get a South Dakota death certificate from the Department of Health Vital Records. Each certified or informational copy costs $15. See who is eligible, methods, and timing.
5 min read
Medical Malpractice Laws in South Dakota (2026): Caps
South Dakota medical malpractice in 2026: a strict 2-year occurrence deadline, a $500,000 cap on general (noneconomic) damages, and the slight-gross fault rule.
7 min read
South Dakota AI Laws and Regulation (2026)
Guide to South Dakota AI laws, regulation, and legislation covering deepfakes, employment AI, healthcare AI, and more.
8 min read
South Dakota AI Meeting Recording Laws (2026)
Learn how South Dakota consent laws apply to AI meeting recorders. One-party consent rules, penalties, and compliance.
8 min read
South Dakota Alimony Laws: How Spousal Support Works (2026)
South Dakota alimony laws explained: SDCL 25-4-41, the six discretionary factors (including fault), four types of spousal support, modification rules, and tax treatment.
9 min read
South Dakota At-Will Employment Laws: Exceptions and Your Rights
South Dakota is an at-will employment state under SDCL 60-4-4. Learn about public-policy, implied-contract exceptions, and right-to-work protections.
6 min read
South Dakota Audio Recording Laws
Learn South Dakota audio recording laws under SDCL 23A-35A-20. One-party consent allows recording your own calls and conversations. Penalties and evidence rules.
11 min read
South Dakota Background Check Laws (2026 Guide)
South Dakota background check laws explained: expungement rules, FCRA lookback periods, employer screening, housing checks, and licensing requirements.
14 min read
South Dakota Biometric Privacy Laws: Collection, Consent & Penalties (2026)
South Dakota has no dedicated biometric privacy law. Learn how the breach notification statute SDCL 22-40-19 protects biometric data and what gaps remain.
7 min read
South Dakota Car Accident Laws: Fault, Insurance, and Your Claim
South Dakota is an at-fault state with a rare slight-gross negligence rule (SDCL 20-9-2). Learn the 25/50/25 minimums, mandatory UM/UIM, and the 3-year filing deadline.
8 min read
South Dakota Car Seat Laws: Requirements and Guidelines
Learn about South Dakota's car seat laws: age and weight requirements, rear-facing rules, booster seat guidelines, and penalties for violations.
6 min read
South Dakota Child Custody Laws (2026): Types, Best Interests, and Your Rights
South Dakota child custody law explained: best interests standard, no joint-custody presumption (SDCL 25-4A-26), 5 statutory factors, relocation rules, and how to modify an order.
6 min read
South Dakota Child Support Laws (2026): Guidelines & Calculator
South Dakota uses the Income Shares Model under SDCL 25-7-6.2. Learn how guidelines, the 2026 updated schedule, modifications, and enforcement work.
11 min read
South Dakota Dashcam Laws
Learn South Dakota dashcam laws. Dashcams are legal with proper mounting. Audio recording rules, evidence use, and commercial fleet dashcam regulations explained.
7 min read
South Dakota Data Breach Notification Laws: Reporting Rules & Timelines (2026)
South Dakota requires data breach notification within 60 days. Learn about the AG reporting threshold of 250 residents, $10,000/day penalties, and protected information coverage.
7 min read
South Dakota Data Privacy Laws: Breach Notification & Consumer Rights (2026)
South Dakota requires 60-day breach notification under SDCL 22-40-19. No comprehensive privacy law yet. Learn about penalties, consumer rights, and 2026 legislative updates.
11 min read
South Dakota Death Records: Are They Public + How to Get Them
South Dakota restricts certified death certificates to eligible requesters, but anyone can order an informational copy for $15. Here is how access and cause of death work.
8 min read
South Dakota Deepfake Laws: AI Images, Voice Cloning & Penalties (2026)
South Dakota has three deepfake laws: SDCL 22-21-4 (manipulated intimate images), SB 79 (2024) AI-CSAM, and SB 164 (2025) election deepfakes. SB 41 adds a felony tier effective July 1, 2026.
8 min read
South Dakota Defamation Laws: Libel & Slander (2026)
South Dakota defamation laws: a 2-year deadline under SDCL 15-2-15, a new 2026 anti-SLAPP law (SB 137), libel and slander by statute, and how to sue.
8 min read
South Dakota Divorce Laws (2026): Grounds, Residency, and Process
South Dakota divorce laws explained: no-fault irreconcilable differences requires mutual consent, 60-day wait, equitable distribution, no separation required.
7 min read
South Dakota Dog Bite Laws: Liability and Victim Rights
Learn South Dakota dog bite laws, including the one-bite rule, negligence claims, vicious dog statutes, penalties, and the three-year filing deadline.
12 min read
South Dakota Drone Laws: Privacy, Trespass, and Prison Rules
South Dakota bans drone spying, landing on private land without consent, and flying over prisons under SDCL 50-15. See warrant, hunting, and felony rules.
8 min read
South Dakota DUI Laws: Penalties, BAC & License (2026)
South Dakota DUI laws: the 0.08% BAC limit, first-offense penalties under SDCL 32-23-2, license revocation, the 10-year look-back, and the felony threshold.
7 min read
South Dakota E-Scooter Laws: Sidewalk, Helmet & Age Rules (2026)
South Dakota exempts small motorized foot scooters (15 mph, 12-inch wheels) from motorcycle law entirely. Larger, faster devices are regulated differently.
7 min read
South Dakota Emancipation Laws: How to Get Emancipated in South Dakota (2026)
Learn how to get emancipated in South Dakota. Covers SDCL 25-5-26 petition requirements, minimum age (16), marriage and military pathways, rights granted, child support effects, and FAFSA impact.
9 min read
South Dakota Employee Monitoring Laws: Workplace Surveillance and Social Media (2026)
South Dakota employee monitoring law explained: the lack of a GPS tracking or social media password statute, one-party consent recording, and hidden camera penalties.
10 min read
South Dakota Expungement Laws: Arrest Records, Suspended Imposition, and What You Can Clear
South Dakota allows expungement of arrest records under SDCL § 23A-3-27 and conviction sealing through suspended imposition of sentence under SDCL § 23A-27-13. Learn eligibility, waiting periods, and the petition process.
7 min read
South Dakota GPS Tracking Laws: Is It Legal to Put a Tracker on a Car? (2026)
South Dakota has no GPS tracking device law. Learn when putting a tracker on a car counts as stalking under SDCL 22-19A-1 and what victims can do in 2026.
10 min read
South Dakota Hit and Run Laws: Penalties and What to Do
Learn South Dakota hit and run laws, penalties for leaving the scene, driver duties after an accident, insurance rules, and what to do as a victim under SDCL 32-34.
11 min read
South Dakota Landlord-Tenant Laws (2026): Deposits, Notice, and Tenant Rights
South Dakota security deposit cap is 1 month's rent (2 with a pet). Landlords have 14 or 45 days to return it. 24-hour entry notice required. Full 2026 guide.
6 min read
South Dakota Landlord-Tenant Recording Laws
Learn South Dakota landlord-tenant recording laws. Tenants can record landlord conversations under one-party consent. Camera rules, entry notice, and evidence guide.
7 min read
South Dakota Laws on Recording in Public
Learn South Dakota public recording laws. No restrictions on filming in public. Open Meetings Law protects recording government proceedings. First Amendment rights explained.
7 min read
South Dakota Laws on Recording Police
Learn your rights to record police in South Dakota. First Amendment protections, one-party consent rules, body camera access, and what to do if your rights are violated.
9 min read
South Dakota Lemon Law (2026): How to Qualify & Get a Refund
South Dakota's lemon law (SDCL 32-6D) covers new vehicles with 4+ repair attempts or 30 days out of service. Learn the rights period, refund formula, and how to file.
13 min read
South Dakota Medical Recording Laws
Learn South Dakota medical recording laws. Patients can record doctor visits under one-party consent. HIPAA does not restrict patient recording. Evidence and telehealth rules.
7 min read
South Dakota Medical Records Retention Laws (2026 Guide)
South Dakota medical records retention laws: how long hospitals and doctors keep your records, HIPAA rules, and patient rights.
11 min read
South Dakota Motorcycle Accident Laws (2026): Deadlines
South Dakota motorcycle accident law: the 3-year deadline to sue, the unique slight/gross comparative fault rule, the under-18 helmet law, and lane splitting.
6 min read
South Dakota Phone Call Recording Laws
Learn South Dakota phone call recording laws under SDCL 23A-35A-20. One-party consent rules, interstate call recording, and business call recording explained.
8 min read
South Dakota Police Body Camera Laws: No Mandate, No Access Rule
South Dakota has no bodycam statute. Agencies decide for themselves whether to use cameras, and SDCL 1-27-1.5(5) lets them keep the footage closed.
7 min read
South Dakota Power of Attorney Laws: Durable, Medical, and Financial POA (2026)
South Dakota power of attorney laws explained: SDCL ch. 59-12 (Uniform Power of Attorney Act, eff. July 1, 2020) requires express durability language and notarization; health care POA under SDCL 59-7-2.1 requires two witnesses or a notary; living will under SDCL ch. 34-12D.
7 min read
South Dakota Probate and Intestate Succession: What Happens Without a Will (2026)
South Dakota probate runs through Circuit Court under a full UPC model. Learn intestate succession, the $100,000 small estate threshold, and estate tax rules.
8 min read
South Dakota Property Records: How to Find Out Who Owns a Property (2026)
South Dakota's Register of Deeds fees are set by state law, but there's no statewide index. Learn how to search South Dakota property records and find an owner.
8 min read
South Dakota Recording Laws (2026): One-Party Consent Rules
South Dakota is a one-party consent state under SDCL 23A-35A-20. Illegal recording is a Class 5 felony (5 years, $10,000). Learn the rules, penalties, and police-recording limits.
11 min read
South Dakota Restraining Order Laws (2026): How to Get a Protection Order
Learn how to get a Protection Order in South Dakota. Covers who qualifies, temporary vs. final order lengths, firearms rules, and violation penalties under SDCL Ch. 25-10.
7 min read
South Dakota Ring Doorbell Laws: What You Need to Know in 2026
Learn South Dakota Ring doorbell laws, including one-party consent rules, video surveillance limits, penalties for illegal recording, and HOA guidelines.
12 min read
South Dakota School Recording Laws
Learn South Dakota school recording laws. Student and parent recording rights, school camera rules, IEP meeting recording, FERPA, and school board meeting recording.
7 min read
South Dakota Security Camera Laws
Learn South Dakota security camera laws under SDCL 22-21-1. Residential and business camera rules, audio recording restrictions, and neighbor privacy explained.
7 min read
South Dakota Self-Defense Laws: Stand Your Ground & Castle Doctrine (2026)
South Dakota is a stand-your-ground state under SDCL 22-18-4 (HB 1212, 2021). No duty to retreat anywhere lawfully present. Criminal and civil immunity under SDCL 22-18-4.1 and 22-18-4.8.
9 min read
South Dakota Sexting Laws: Legal Consequences and Penalties
Understand South Dakota's sexting laws: criminal penalties for adults and minors, revenge porn laws, and defenses available under South Dakota law.
10 min read
South Dakota Slip and Fall Laws: Proving Premises Liability
South Dakota slip and fall laws explained: slight/gross negligence rule, open-and-obvious duty bar, ice/snow duty, 3-year SOL, 180-day government notice deadline.
8 min read
South Dakota Smart Glasses Recording Laws: One-Party Guide
South Dakota is a one-party consent state under SDCL § 23A-35A-20. Record conversations you join without notice. Voyeurism and surveillance statutes still apply.
11 min read
South Dakota Social Security Disability: Rates & Waits
Social Security disability in South Dakota: a small state SSI supplement, automatic Medicaid on SSI approval, approval odds, and ALJ hearing wait times.
7 min read
South Dakota Squatters Rights and Adverse Possession Laws (2026)
South Dakota requires 20 years for adverse possession under SDCL § 15-3-1, or 10 years with color of title and payment of property taxes. Learn the FED process to remove a squatter.
9 min read
South Dakota Statute of Limitations: Filing Deadlines by Case Type
Learn South Dakota statute of limitations for civil and criminal cases. Filing deadlines for personal injury, contracts, fraud, malpractice, and felonies.
10 min read
South Dakota Surveillance Camera Laws (2026 Guide)
Learn South Dakota surveillance camera laws covering home security, workplace monitoring, hidden cameras, nanny cams, audio recording consent, and penalties.
15 min read