South Dakota Codified Laws 34-20A-70. Petition for involuntary commitment–Appointment of attorney for applicant–Procedure–Grounds
A person may be committed by the circuit court upon the petition of the person’s spouse or guardian, a relative, a physician, the administrator of any approved treatment facility, or any other responsible person. Any person applying for commitment shall do so to the circuit court through the clerk of courts of the county in which the person to be committed resides or is present. The circuit court judge, upon receipt of a written application prepared by the clerk of courts, shall appoint an attorney to represent the applicant. The appointed attorney shall investigate the grounds upon which the application is based and shall within five days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, submit a written report to the circuit court as to whether probable cause exists that the person subject of the petition is an alcoholic or drug abuser. All information obtained as a result of the investigation and written report shall be documented and made a part of the record of any further proceedings. The petition shall allege that the person is an alcoholic or drug abuser who habitually lacks self–control as to the use of alcoholic beverages or other drugs and:
(1) Has threatened, attempted, or inflicted physical harm on himself or herself or on another and that unless committed is likely to inflict harm on himself or herself or on another; or
Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 34-20A-70
- 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.
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- Person: includes natural persons, partnerships, associations, cooperative corporations, limited liability companies, and corporations. See South Dakota Codified Laws 2-14-2
- Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
- written: include typewriting and typewritten, printing and printed, except in the case of signatures, and where the words are used by way of contrast to typewriting and printing. See South Dakota Codified Laws 2-14-2
(2) Is incapacitated by the effects of alcohol or drugs; or
(3) Is pregnant and abusing alcohol or drugs.
A refusal to undergo treatment does not constitute evidence of lack of judgment as to the need for treatment.
Source: SL 1974, ch 240, § 12 (a); SL 1985, ch 277, § 22; SL 1998, ch 207, § 1; SL 2023, ch 117, § 6.