Any judge empowered by this chapter to issue writs of habeas corpus, who shall corruptly refuse to issue such writ, when legally applied to, in a case where such writ may lawfully issue, or who shall, for the purpose of oppression, unreasonably delay the issuing of such writ, shall, for every such offense, forfeit to the prisoner or person aggrieved a sum not exceeding five hundred dollars. Recovery of the penalty provided herein shall be no bar to a civil suit for damages.

Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 21-27-6

  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • 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, §§ 681, 688; CL 1887, §§ 7849, 7856; RCCrimP 1903, §§ 781, 788; RC 1919, §§ 4985, 4990; SDC 1939 & Supp 1960, § 37.5507.