South Dakota Codified Laws 15-26A-87.1. Disposition on briefs and record–Grounds–Citation of decisions restricted
(A) After all briefs have been filed in any appeal, the Supreme Court by unanimous action may, sua sponte, enter an order or memorandum opinion affirming the judgment or order of the trial court for the reason that it is manifest on the face of the briefs and the record that the appeal is without merit because:
(1) The issues are clearly controlled by settled South Dakota law or federal law binding upon the states;
Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 15-26A-87.1
- Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
- 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.
- Litigation: A case, controversy, or lawsuit. Participants (plaintiffs and defendants) in lawsuits are called litigants.
- Person: includes natural persons, partnerships, associations, cooperative corporations, limited liability companies, and corporations. See South Dakota Codified Laws 2-14-2
- Reporter: Makes a record of court proceedings and prepares a transcript, and also publishes the court's opinions or decisions (in the courts of appeals).
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
(2) The issues are factual and there clearly is sufficient evidence to support the jury verdict or findings of fact below;
(3) The issues are ones of judicial discretion and there clearly was not an abuse of discretion; or
(4) Other good cause exists for summary affirmance, in which case the order or memorandum shall contain a succinct statement of the reason for affirmance.
(B) Notwithstanding the provision in section (A) requiring unanimous action, an order or memorandum opinion affirming the judgment or order of the trial court may be entered pursuant to subsections (1) through (4) of section (A) on a majority vote, even though the claim may have merit in the view of the minority, provided that all justices participating in the action shall agree that such summary disposition of the action may be made.
(C) After all briefs have been filed in any appeal, the Supreme Court by unanimous action may, sua sponte, enter an order or memorandum opinion reversing the judgment or order of the trial court for the reason that it is manifest on the face of the briefs and the record that it is clear the order or judgment is erroneous for one or more of the following reasons:
(1) Summary judgment was erroneously granted because a genuine issue of material fact exists;
(2) The judgment or order was clearly contrary to settled South Dakota law or federal law binding upon the states;
(3) The issue on appeal is one of judicial discretion and there clearly was an abuse of discretion; or
(4) Other good cause exists for summary reversal, in which case the order or memorandum shall contain a succinct statement of the reason for reversal.
(D) Notwithstanding the provision in section (C) requiring unanimous action, an order or memorandum opinion reversing the judgment or order of the trial court may be entered pursuant to subsections (1) through (4) of section (C) on a majority vote, even though the claim may have merit in the view of the minority, provided that all justices participating in the action shall agree that such summary disposition of the action may be made.
(E) A list indicating the disposition of all decisions rendered by the Supreme Court under this section shall be published quarterly in the Northwestern Reporter. Such decisions shall not be cited or relied upon as authority in any litigation in any court in South Dakota except when the decision establishes the law of the case, res judicata or collateral estoppel, or in a criminal action or proceeding involving the same defendant or a disciplinary action or proceeding involving the same person.
A petition for rehearing of a cause decided under this section may be served and filed pursuant to the provisions of § 15-30-4.
Costs in favor of the prevailing party shall be assessed as provided in chapter 15-30.
Source: Supreme Court Rule 81-5; Supreme Court Rule 82-20; Supreme Court Rule 82-34; Supreme Court Rule 85-3; SL 1987, ch 400 (Supreme Court Rule 86-26); Supreme Court Rule 89-25; SL 1989, ch 700, § 1; SL 2022, ch 255 (Supreme Court Rule 22-02), eff. Feb. 1, 2022.