Sentences shall be imposed without unreasonable delay, but not within forty-eight hours after determination of guilt. A defendant may waive the forty-eight hour delay. Before imposing a sentence, a court may order a hearing in mitigation or aggravation of punishment. If the defendant is a juvenile convicted as an adult of a Class A or Class B felony, prior to imposing a sentence, the court shall conduct a presentence hearing. At such hearing, the court shall allow the defense counsel an opportunity to speak on behalf of the defendant and shall address the defendant personally and ask him if he wishes to make a statement in his own behalf and to present any information in mitigation of punishment. The prosecuting attorney shall have an equivalent opportunity to speak to the court. The circumstances must be presented by the testimony of witnesses examined in open court, except that a witness’ deposition may be taken by a magistrate in accordance with chapter 23A-12. In imposing a sentence, the court shall enter an order of restitution in accordance with chapter 23A-28.

Attorney's Note

Under the South Dakota Laws, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
Class B felonyup to lifeup to $50,000
For details, see § 22-6-1

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Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 23A-27-1

  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • 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.
  • Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.

Source: Supreme Court Rule 410, 1939; SDC 1939 & Supp 1960, §§ 34.3701, 34.3703, 34.3704; SL 1966, ch 120; SDCL §§ 23-48-5, 23-48-11, 23-48-16; SL 1978, ch 178, § 332; SL 1985, ch 192, § 1; SL 2013, ch 105, § 2.