In most scenarios, it is illegal to make physical contact with another person with the intent to cause them physical harm. Although the law in South Dakota does prohibit violence, there are some scenarios in which violent conduct may be legal. Individuals who have a...
Build A Strong Defense
To Protect Your Rights
Criminal Defense
Should you consider a plea bargain?
As the defendant in a criminal case, the prosecution may offer you reduced charges or a lighter sentence in exchange for your guilty plea. For instance, a felony offense could be reduced to a misdemeanor, attracting lesser charges. It’s how plea deals work. While such...
An overview of South Dakota gun laws
South Dakota is a "shall issue" state for concealed carry permits. This means the state must issue a permit to any applicant who meets specific criteria, such as being over 18 years of age and having no significant criminal record. It's important to remember that...
Can marijuana users own guns?
Marijuana legalization has been complicated. Federally, it is illegal. In many states, including South Dakota, it is legal only for medical purposes. But there are also many states, such as Michigan, Illinois, and Colorado, where marijuana is legal for recreational...
Is law enforcement allowed to covertly track your movements?
A fundamental privilege that most Americans hold dear is the right to privacy. Most of us would never expect legal authorities to violate this right. Unfortunately, the police sometimes obtain the right to hide tracking devices on a person or property, especially when...
When are assets at risk of civil asset forfeiture in South Dakota?
Any interaction with police officers could turn negative quite quickly. People could end up temporarily in state custody and then facing criminal charges. Whenever police officers suspect that an individual is committing or has committed criminal activity, they use...
Do you know your Miranda rights?
If you watch crime TV shows, you are probably familiar with the words "you have the right to remain silent." These words are part of a set of rights that police must read to a person when they arrest them. Origins of Miranda rights In 1966, the United States Supreme...
The South Dakota Medical Cannabis Program
The use of marijuana for medical purposes is permitted in South Dakota. This happened in November 2020 when voters of the state passed Initiated Measure 26. The South Dakota Medical Cannabis Program was launched as a result. And anyone who wants to use medical...
How to respond when the police knock on your door
When a party gets a little too loud and the guests get a little out of control, it may not take long before the police come knocking on your door. What you do next can be critical. A lot of people don’t realize how strong their rights are when they’re inside their own...
2 protective order mistakes that can hurt your case
Disagreements are inevitable in any relationship. However, if those disagreements spiral out of control, the court might intervene. Consequently, the aggressive party may be issued with a protective order. An order of protection simply restricts your interaction with...