A heated argument outside a Rapid City bar ends with you in handcuffs, and by morning you want to apologize or clear the air with a quick text. In South Dakota, that message could create a second criminal problem, because the rules on contact start the moment police...
Local investigators in Pennington County recently recovered a cache of "M30" pills that proved to be fentanyl during a multi-agency drug investigation. These counterfeit oxycodone arrests show how someone who believed they held an ordinary painkiller can end up facing...
If you are in South Dakota’s Honest Opportunity Probation Enforcement (HOPE) program, skipping a mandatory call-in can lead to jail. As courts expand HOPE to misdemeanor cases, understanding your legal options early can help you respond to an alleged violation....
When police charge your teen with driving under the influence (DUI), you may have a lot to sort out at once. You may want to know why police stopped your teen, what the test results mean and whether your teen can still drive. Starting with a few basic questions can...
For many South Dakota riders, a motorcycle is more than a way to get around. It offers a different experience on the road. However, riding a motorcycle can also raise legal questions that do not come up in quite the same way with a car. One point may surprise you:...
South Dakota has taken a strict approach to sentencing for several serious and repeat offenses. As a result, certain defendants may spend more time behind bars. The possible sentence can depend on the offense and the defendant’s criminal history. How are some...
Drug charges can carry serious consequences anywhere, but South Dakota takes an especially hard line on several drug offenses. Conduct that might bring a lighter charge in another state can lead to much harsher penalties here. This becomes clear when you look at...
You might think that sleeping off a night of drinking in your car protects you from a DUI charge. In South Dakota, however, you can face a DUI not only for driving while impaired but also for having “actual physical control” of a vehicle. What does “actual physical...
Weeks or months after you return home from the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, an arrest from the trip may appear when you apply for a job or housing. South Dakota makes public criminal court information available through its Unified Judicial System. That record can also...
Many riders look forward to attending the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota every year. While the high energy of the event makes it fun, a great trip can easily end with a potential run-in with the law. If you are coming in from another state, you might be...