Except where, in special cases, a different limitation is prescribed by statute, the following civil actions other than for the recovery of real property can be commenced only within one year after the cause of action shall have accrued:

(1) An action against a sheriff or other officer for the escape of a prisoner arrested or imprisoned on civil process;

Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 15-2-17

  • Person: includes natural persons, partnerships, associations, cooperative corporations, limited liability companies, and corporations. See South Dakota Codified Laws 2-14-2
  • Petty offense: A federal misdemeanor punishable by six months or less in prison. Source: U.S. Courts
  • Prosecute: To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.
  • Real property: Land, and all immovable fixtures erected on, growing on, or affixed to the land.
  • Statute: A law passed by a legislature.

(2) An action upon a statute for a penalty or a forfeiture given in whole or in part to any person who will prosecute the same; but if such action be not commenced within such year by a private person, it may be commenced within two years thereafter in behalf of the state by the state’s attorney where the offense was committed;

(3) An action against a person for the violation of a statute, which violation is a petty offense.

Source: SDC 1939, § 33.0232 (7); SL 1945, ch 144; SL 1945, ch 145, § 2; SL 1947, ch 153, § 4; SL 1978, ch 165, § 1.