Inadequate Claim Investigation, the “Fairly Debatable” Defense, and Punitive Exposure in South Dakota First-Party Bad Faith: Commentary on Fiechtner v. American West Insurance Co., 2025 S.D. 60 I....
Inherent Judicial Authority to Accommodate Vulnerable Adult Witnesses: Commentary on State v. Richter, 2025 S.D. 58 Introduction The Supreme Court of South Dakota’s decision in State v. Richter, 2025...
State v. Longchase: Waiver of Sixth Amendment Speedy Trial Rights by Guilty Plea and Constitutional Limits on Recoupment of Indigent Defense Costs 1. Introduction In State v. Longchase, 2025 S.D. 61,...
Minimum Contacts and Revocation-on-Divorce: Jurisdictional Limits on Clawing Back Nonprobate Assets from Nonresident Ex‑Spouses I. Introduction In Estate of Cunningham, 2025 S.D. 59, the South Dakota...
Nonlawyer Guardians Cannot Perfect Appeals in South Dakota: Notices of Appeal Filed on Behalf of Wards Are Ineffective to Invoke Appellate Jurisdiction Introduction In Danielson v. LifeScape, 2025...
Clarifying “Ability to Pay” in Alimony Contempt: Assets and Borrowing Capacity Must Be Considered; Good‑Faith Career Changes Can Warrant Modification Introduction In Peery v. Peery, 2025 S.D. 57, the...
State v. Bordeaux (2025 S.D. 55): Tightened Similarity Requirement for Rule 404(b) Intent/Common-Plan Evidence and Reversal Where “Violent When Drinking” Propensity Theme Dominates Introduction In...
Jones and the Clear-and-Convincing Public-Interest Test: No Automatic Expungement After Acquittal in South Dakota Introduction In Record Expungement of Jones, 2025 S.D. 54, the Supreme Court of South...
No Appropriation Without Exclusive Control: Shoreline-Connected Canals Do Not Require Water Appropriation Permits under South Dakota Law Case: McCook Lake Recreation Area v. Dakota Bay, LLC, 2025...
Actual Value Controls Over Productivity Schedules: No Certified Appraisal Required, and Agencies Must Find Market Value Introduction In Pallansch v. Roberts County, 2025 S.D. 52, the Supreme Court of...
Parental Primacy Reaffirmed: No Non‑Parent Visitation Without Rebutting the Parental Presumption; ICWA Applies to Third‑Party Custody and the Duty to Inquire Rests with the Court Introduction In...
State v. Bradshaw: South Dakota Clarifies “Unnecessary Delay” Dismissals under SDCL 23A-44-3 and Distinguishes the 180-Day Rule Court: Supreme Court of South Dakota | Citation: 2025 S.D. 48 | Date:...
Successive Leases Stand Alone: South Dakota Supreme Court Holds “Then Existing Mortgage” Means the Current (Refinanced) Debt and Rejects Carry-Forward of Prior Reserve Obligations Introduction In...
Interrogatory Admissions Can Establish “Damage” and Trigger a Jury Question on Constructive Notice Under SDCL 31‑32‑10; Statutory Authorization Bars Municipal Nuisance Claims Introduction This...
Lefors v. Lefors: Stacking Per‑Violation Civil Penalties and No Show‑Cause Requirement for Visitation-Order Sanctions Under SDCL 25‑4A‑5 Introduction In Lefors v. Lefors, 2025 S.D. 46, the Supreme...
State v. Anderson: No Isomer Distinction—l‑Methamphetamine Is a Schedule II Substance; Broad Trial-Court Discretion Over Daubert Hearings and Expert Disclosures Court: Supreme Court of South Dakota...
Anderson Industries v. Thermal Intelligence: Clarifying UCC Installment-Contract Breach and Flexible Contract Formation Under § 2-204 Court: Supreme Court of South Dakota Citation: 2025 S.D. 47 Date:...
Best-Interests Check Required for No-Contact Provisions in Domestic Abuse Protection Orders Involving Children; Laser Targeting Can Establish “Fear of Imminent Harm” under SDCL 25-10 Case: Wagner v....
Punitive damages are unavailable for breach of the UCC implied covenant of good faith; unobjected Rule 50(b) motion preserves new legal grounds Introduction In Goldenview Ready-Mix, LLC v. Grangaard...
Voluntary Workers’ Compensation Payments Do Not Shift Burden or Trigger SDCL 62-7-33 Review: Claimant Retains Burden to Prove Major Contributing Cause Case: Pham v. Smithfield Foods, 2025 S.D. 41...