South Dakota Codified Laws 21-17A-25. Findings and order of court on hearing–Costs taxed–Damages assessed at trial
If the court finds for the defendant on a motion pursuant to § 21-17A-20, the judge presiding shall tax the defendant’s costs for the hearing, and an order shall be entered dismissing the writ or that the property attached be delivered to the defendant; and the jury or the court shall, on the trial of the action or thereafter, assess the damages sustained by the defendant by reason of the taking and detention or sale of the property attached or by reason of any injury thereto. The same, together with the costs so taxed, shall be a setoff to the plaintiff‘s demand, and if in excess of it, or the plaintiff fails to recover, the defendant shall have judgment for the amount due. If the court on the hearing held pursuant to § 21-17A-22 finds for the plaintiff, the judge shall tax the plaintiff’s costs for the trial, and the amount so taxed shall, if he recovers, be taxed by the clerk as disbursement in the action. If the defendant or his assignee recovers judgment in the action, the costs and the judgment shall be offset.
Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 21-17A-25
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
- Property: includes property, real and personal. See South Dakota Codified Laws 2-14-2
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
- Writ: A formal written command, issued from the court, requiring the performance of a specific act.
Source: SL 1983, ch 168, § 25.