Criminal contempt, except as provided in § 23A-38-1, shall be prosecuted after notice is given to the defendant. The notice shall state the time and place of hearing, allowing a reasonable time for the preparation of the defense, and shall state the essential facts constituting the criminal contempt charged and describe it as such. The notice may be given orally by a judge in open court in the presence of the defendant or, on application of a prosecuting attorney or of an attorney appointed by the court for that purpose, by an order to show cause or an order of arrest. If the contempt charged involves disrespect to or criticism of a judge, that judge is disqualified from presiding at the trial or hearing on the contempt charge except with the defendant’s consent. The defendant has a right to a jury trial. Upon a verdict or finding of guilt the court shall enter an order fixing the punishment. Contempt prosecuted under this section shall be punished as a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Attorney's Note

Under the South Dakota Laws, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
Class 1 misdemeanorup to 1 yearup to $2,00
For details, see § 22-6-2

Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 23A-38-2

  • Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.

Source: SL 1978, ch 178, § 473; SL 1979, ch 159, § 28.