WALK IT THROUGH
52 South Dakota situations taken one decision at a time. Every step says what the law asks of each side, cites it, and links to the section it comes from.
52 walkthroughs
Traffic stops, 9 walkthroughs
- The Insurance Card At HomeA stop for a lane drift, a license, a card left on the kitchen table, and a citation that can be dismissed.3 steps →
- The Dent In The Parking LotBacking into a parked car, a note under the wiper, a call to police, and what changes when someone is hurt.3 steps →
- The New DriverA learner's permit at fourteen, practice hours, a restricted permit, friends in the car, and a phone.4 steps →
- The School Bus MorningAmber lights, red lights, a four-lane highway, and a school zone on the way to work.4 steps →
- The Cyclist On The ShoulderPassing a bicycle at highway speed, a turn signal, and a cyclist on the sidewalk in town.3 steps →
- The Car That Was TowedA car parked too close to a hydrant, a tow, a call within a day, and what the tow lot may keep.3 steps →
- The ATV Into TownA four-wheeler licensed for the road, a teenage rider, a helmet, and the interstate.3 steps →
- The Flashers On The ShoulderA siren behind, a trooper stopped ahead, the move over rule, and a crash that makes it worse.3 steps →
- The Crosswalk At Main StreetA pedestrian in a marked crosswalk, a turn on green, and someone who steps out too late.3 steps →
Being stopped, 4 walkthroughs
- The Lights In The MirrorA signal to stop, a choice to keep going, an arrest, and the charges that follow.4 steps →
- The Knock At DawnA search warrant at the front door, notice before entry, a search, and the receipt left behind.3 steps →
- The Call To The HouseA neighbor's call, an injury, a mandatory arrest, no contact from jail, and an order to follow.3 steps →
- The Night In CountyAn arrest on a warrant, questions, a magistrate in the morning, and release on a promise to appear.3 steps →
Marijuana and drugs, 3 walkthroughs
- The Call From The PartyA friend who will not wake up, a call for help, officers at the door, and the immunity that follows.3 steps →
- The Cash In The TrunkA stop on the interstate, a request to search, marijuana and cash, and a car the state wants to keep.3 steps →
- The Medical CardA registry card, the amount allowed, plants at home, and a drive after a dose.3 steps →
Impaired driving, 3 walkthroughs
- The Breath TestA roadside breath test, a blood draw after arrest, questions at the station, and a first offense in court.4 steps →
- The Ride Home At NineteenTwo beers at a bonfire, a drive home, a stop, and the rule for drivers under twenty-one.3 steps →
- The Third TimeA third arrest, a felony, a license gone for a year, and the jail that follows driving anyway.3 steps →
Court and money, 13 walkthroughs
- The Arrest That Went NowhereAn arrest, no charge, a dismissal for another, and the motion that seals the record.3 steps →
- The Truck That Keeps FailingA new pickup, a defect in the first months, four trips to the dealer, and a refund or a replacement.3 steps →
- The Last PaycheckA job that ends, a uniform to return, a payday that passes, and double damages for a malicious refusal.3 steps →
- The Injury On The LineA hand caught in a machine, notice in three business days, a doctor of one's own choosing, and a firing.3 steps →
- The Quit And The ClaimA move the employer demanded, a claim for benefits, a waiting week, and what counts as good cause.3 steps →
- The House With No WillA death without a will, a spouse and a child from before, a small bank account, and land by affidavit.3 steps →
- The Will In Her Own HandA handwritten will, a typed one with witnesses, a torn page, and a spouse's elective share.3 steps →
- The Hospital HallwayA father who cannot speak for himself, no paperwork, a family to decide, and the documents for next time.3 steps →
- The Divorce FilingIrreconcilable differences, service, an automatic order, sixty days, and custody by the child's best interests.3 steps →
- The Protection Order HearingA petition, a temporary order, a hearing within thirty days, and an order for up to five years.3 steps →
- The Garnished PaycheckA judgment on an old debt, a garnishment, the twenty percent limit, and what cannot be taken.3 steps →
- Election Day At The PlantTwo hours off to vote, an ID at the polls, a registration deadline, and a vote after prison.3 steps →
- The Civic WeekA jury summons, a records request, and a city council meeting with a camera.3 steps →
Your home, 10 walkthroughs
- The Deposit That Did Not Come BackA move out, a forwarding address, a silent landlord, an accounting, and small claims court.3 steps →
- The Furnace In JanuaryA dead furnace, written notice, repair and deduct, a separate account, and a rent hike afterward.3 steps →
- The Changed LocksRent a few days late, a new lock on the door, the water shut off, and two months' rent in damages.3 steps →
- The Eviction PapersTwo service attempts, five days to answer, a trial on short notice, and a judgment.3 steps →
- The New Rent LetterA month-to-month lease, a higher rent in writing, a choice to leave, and the notice it takes.3 steps →
- Leaving After The AssaultA partner's assault, a police report, written notice, and a lease ended without a penalty.3 steps →
- The Landlord With A KeyNotice before entry, a burst pipe, and a time that does not work.3 steps →
- The Boxes In The GarageA tenant gone, belongings left behind, what is small and what is stored, and when the landlord may dispose of it.3 steps →
- The Lot That Was SoldA mobile home on rented land, a buyer who will build, ninety days' notice, and a family turned away.3 steps →
- The Roofer At The DoorA hailstorm, a contract signed on the porch, three business days to cancel, and a lien filed later.3 steps →
Recording, 1 walkthroughs
Carrying a firearm, 2 walkthroughs
Charges and penalties, 3 walkthroughs
- The Store DetentionA shirt in a bag, a stop at the door, a wait for the police, and a letter demanding money.3 steps →
- The Bounced Rent CheckA check written short, a notice of dishonor, thirty days to make it good, and a theft charge if not.3 steps →
- The Account Someone OpenedA breach notice, a credit card in your name, a police report, and the felony it is.3 steps →
How you carry yourself, 4 walkthroughs
- The Stranger In The YardA man in the yard at night, a door, a threat, force, and immunity that must be overcome.3 steps →
- The Fight Outside The BarA shove, a punch, a crowd blocking the street, and the charges each one carries.3 steps →
- The Posted PastureA shortcut across a fenced pasture, a posted sign, an owner who says leave, and a barn.3 steps →
- The Messages That Keep ComingA former coworker who will not stop, a protection order, a violation, and what the court can do.3 steps →
About this guide — education built from the South Dakota Codified Laws as the Legislative Research Council publishes them, not a law degree in a webpage. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed South Dakota attorney or a legal aid office. Current as of October 2026.