When you are facing an imminent threat, you have a right to fight back without attempting to run away first. In South Dakota, the stand your ground law provides specific protections for individuals who need to defend themselves, their families or their property from a...
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally draws hundreds of thousands of people to western South Dakota each August. If you are planning to attend this event, it may be prudent to know what actions might lead to unexpected encounters with law enforcement and your defense options...
You may think of a prank as harmless fun. Maybe you want to get a laugh, pull a stunt or create a story you and your friends will talk about later. However, some pranks can lead to criminal charges when they involve property damage, trespassing or conduct that puts...
If you have been pulled over on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) in South Dakota, an officer may ask you to take part in field sobriety tests. These exercises are designed to help officers find evidence of impairment. However, they are not always...
Civil forfeiture is one of the few areas of American law where the government can take your property without proving you did anything wrong. It is legal, it is common along the I-90 corridor in western South Dakota and most people who experience it have no idea it was...
If you have ever wondered whether breathalyzer tests are always right, the answer might surprise you. While law enforcement typically uses them in driving under the influence (DUI) cases, several factors can affect their accuracy. Understanding these issues could be...
A single punch in a bar can change your life forever. You might think you acted in self-defense, but the police often see things differently. When the music stops and the sirens start, the line between a victim and a defendant can vanish quickly. Defining the charge...
When the state charges someone with a crime, most people assume the truth will come out in court. However, in real life, some innocent people confess or plead guilty to things they did not do. This happens in South Dakota just as it does anywhere else. Understanding...
A bar fight can start fast and end even faster. A shove, a spilled drink or a heated argument can turn into police lights and handcuffs. In South Dakota, individuals who engage in a bar fight may find themselves facing assault charges, no matter how brief the fight....
Whether you have consumed alcohol or not, sometimes police officers might stop you and ask you to perform three different types of field sobriety tests if they suspect you are driving under the influence. These consist of three mental and physical tests designed to...