Any law enforcement officer may seize and hold, for the purpose of being used as evidence at any trial, any hunting and fishing equipment used in violation of the game and fish laws. Such equipment shall be returned to the defendant under the direction of the court or magistrate when its purpose as evidence has been fulfilled. Any property left in the possession of the court or any law enforcement officer for a period of one year after its purpose as evidence has been fulfilled is deemed abandoned.

Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 41-15-15

  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • 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.

Source: SDC 1939, § 25.0422 as added by SL 1963, ch 135, § 2; SL 1969, ch 100; SL 2009, ch 206, § 89.