All actions referred to in §§ 23A-42-1 to 23A-42-3, inclusive, shall be deemed commenced by the filing of a complaint, information or indictment with any committing magistrate or clerk of any court having jurisdiction of the offense.

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Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 23A-42-4

  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.

Source: SL 1927, ch 91; SDC 1939 & Supp 1960, § 34.0703; SDCL, § 23-8-5; SL 1978, ch 178, § 503.