Any person committed or detained, imprisoned or restrained of his liberty, under any color or pretense whatever, civil or criminal, except as provided herein, may apply to the Supreme or circuit court, or any justice or judge thereof, for a writ of habeas corpus.

Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 21-27-1

  • Habeas corpus: A writ that is usually used to bring a prisoner before the court to determine the legality of his imprisonment. It may also be used to bring a person in custody before the court to give testimony, or to be prosecuted.
  • Person: includes natural persons, partnerships, associations, cooperative corporations, limited liability companies, and corporations. See South Dakota Codified Laws 2-14-2
  • Writ: A formal written command, issued from the court, requiring the performance of a specific act.

Source: CCrimP 1877, §§ 671, 672; CL 1887, §§ 7839, 7840; RCCrimP 1903, §§ 771, 772; RC 1919, §§ 4978, 4979; SDC 1939 & Supp 1960, § 37.5501; SL 1983, ch 169, § 1.