The punishment for the contempt described in § 19-5-8 shall be as follows: when the witness fails to attend, in obedience to the subpoena, except in case of demand and failure to pay his fees, the court or officer may fine the witness in a sum not exceeding fifty dollars. In other cases the court or officer may fine a witness in a sum not exceeding fifty nor less than five dollars, or may imprison him in the county jail, there to remain until he shall submit to be sworn, testify, or give his deposition.

Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 19-5-12

  • Deposition: An oral statement made before an officer authorized by law to administer oaths. Such statements are often taken to examine potential witnesses, to obtain discovery, or to be used later in trial.
  • Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
  • Testify: Answer questions in court.

Source: CCivP 1877, § 455; CL 1887, § 5269; RCCivP 1903, § 495; RC 1919, § 2742; SDC 1939 & Supp 1960, § 36.0306.