No law enforcement officer who is called to the scene of a domestic abuse complaint is required to arrest any victim of domestic abuse for an outstanding warrant if:

(1) The victim is not otherwise liable to arrest for any action arising out of the present incidence of domestic abuse; and

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Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 25-10-36.1

  • Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.

(2) The outstanding warrant is for a nonviolent misdemeanor offense.

The victim is subject to arrest on an outstanding warrant after seventy-two hours have passed since the incidence of the domestic abuse call under this section.

The decision of an officer to arrest or not to arrest a victim on an outstanding warrant under this section may not constitute a cause of action against the officer, the law enforcement agency, the employing entity, or any of the employing entity’s employees.

Source: SL 2014, ch 128, § 1; SL 2018, ch 164, § 1.