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...
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally draws hundreds of thousands of riders to South Dakota every August, and local police step up patrols to match the crowd. A DUI, a disorderly conduct charge or a weapons violation can end your trip in handcuffs instead of on the highway....
Sturgis draws hundreds of thousands of riders every August, and many pack more than a helmet and a saddlebag. If you plan to carry a firearm at the rally, South Dakota law gives you plenty of room, but you still need to know the rules. South Dakota allows permitless...
Many people visit South Dakota from states where recreational or medical marijuana is legal. Events such as the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally bring visitors from across the country. You might think marijuana that you bought legally at home stays legal everywhere you...
The roar of hundreds of thousands of motorcycles descending on Sturgis, South Dakota, creates an unforgettable atmosphere each August. But before you pack your saddlebags and hit the road, understanding South Dakota's motorcycle laws can mean the difference between an...