Waiver by Conduct of a Parent’s Statutory and Due-Process Right to Appointed Counsel in South Dakota Termination Proceedings Introduction Interest of P.R.M., 2026 S.D. 47, is a South Dakota Supreme...
Continuances Based on Speculative Compassionate Release and Limits on Appellate Judicial Notice in Termination Proceedings (Interest of A.L. and D.L.) 1. Introduction In Interest of A.L. and D.L.,...
SDCL 15-17-51 Frivolous-Fee Awards Are Premature Absent Dismissal of the Action; Only Contracting Parties May Seek Rescission Case: Estate of O'farrell v. O'farrell, 2026 S.D. 44 (S.D. July 9, 2026)...
Inverse Condemnation in South Dakota Requires Government Action that Takes or Damages Private Property for a Public Use—State Mining on State-Owned Land and Mere Mineral-Rights Retention Do Not...
South Dakota’s “Form-at-Inception” Insurable-Interest Rule (and One-Year Trust Statute of Repose) in Alleged STOLI/Premium-Financed Life Insurance Case: Viva Capital Trust v. Garrett, 2026 S.D. 42...
Rule 45(b) Objections Forestall Subpoena Compliance; Bad-Faith Subpoena Misuse Supports Rule 41(b) Dismissal Case: Gibson v. Gibson, 2026 S.D. 43 (S.D. July 1, 2026) Court: Supreme Court of South...
State v. Kujawa (2026 S.D. 41): Rule 609 Impeachment Requires “Essential Facts” (Name/Nature and Date) and Rejects Blanket “Unnamed Felony” Limits Introduction In State v. Kujawa, the South Dakota...
South Dakota Cannot Exercise Concurrent Criminal Jurisdiction on Nebraska Side of Missouri River Absent a Reciprocal Nebraska Act or Compact Introduction State v. Ogden, 2026 S.D. 40 (S.D. June 24,...
Judicial Estoppel Bars a Statute-of-Frauds Defense to Loan Indebtedness Previously Sworn to in Earlier Litigation 1. Introduction In Fischer v. Fischer-Olson, 2026 S.D. 39, the South Dakota Supreme...
Habeas Rule 12(b)(5) Dismissals Must Use the Twombly/Sisney “Plausibility” Standard—South Dakota Retires the “No Set of Facts” Formulation in Habeas Case: Guzman v. Sullivan, 2026 S.D. 38 (S.D. June...
Pretrial Self-Defense Immunity Under SDCL 22-18-4.8 Is Moot After Conviction: The Bendel Rule 1. Introduction In State v. Bendel, 2026 S.D. 35, the Supreme Court of South Dakota addressed a homicide...
“When Required” Means Sometimes Not Required: Traffic Stops Cannot Rest on Objectively Unreasonable Mistakes of South Dakota Turn-Signal Law (SDCL 32-26-18.1 & 32-26-22) Introduction In State v....
Final Conviction Moots Appellate Review of SDCL 22-18-4.8 Pretrial Self‑Defense Immunity Rulings Introduction In State v. Braveheart, 2026 S.D. 36, the Supreme Court of South Dakota addressed a...
Finality Under SDCL 62-7-33 Requires a Complete Payment-Modification Determination (Not Just a Change-in-Condition Finding) 1. Introduction Case: Wetch v. Midcontinent Media, Inc., 2026 S.D. 34 (S.D....
Contingent Fee Agreements Terminate Upon Attorney Death; Estate’s Remedy Sounds in Quantum Meruit, and Interpleader Deposits Do Not Earn Prejudgment Interest 1. Introduction Groves v. Goodsell &...
Sleep v. Steele: Partnership Formation Under SDCL 48-7A-202 Is Reviewed De Novo (with Clear-Error Deference to Underlying Intent Findings) 1. Introduction Sleep v. Steele, 2026 S.D. 31, is a family...
State v. Shangreaux, Jr.: Waiver of Batson Step-One Challenge After Race-Neutral Explanation; “We Know” Closing Arguments Not Improper Vouching When Tethered to Evidence 1. Introduction In State v....
Invisible-Line Boundaries Fail Adverse Possession; Encroaching Garages Earn Only Limited Prescriptive Easements; Late-Raised Access Easements Are Waived 1. Introduction Luzier v. Hemmah, 2026 S.D. 30...
Shevling v. Major (2026 S.D. 27): Enforcing Plain-Language Military Retirement Percentages (No Implied Coverture Reduction) and Applying Statutory Interest Absent Contract 1. Introduction Parties:...
State v. Pickner: No Post-Judgment Conversion of a Conviction into a Suspended Imposition of Sentence Under SDCL 23A-31-1 or SDCL 23A-27-19; Res Judicata Does Not Bar the State When Appellate Review...