South Dakota Codified Laws 26-7A-79. Use of depositions
At any hearing, a part or all of a deposition, so far as otherwise admissible under the rules of evidence, may be used if it appears:
(1) That the deponent is dead;
Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 26-7A-79
- 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.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Testify: Answer questions in court.
- Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
(2) That the deponent is out of the state, unless it appears that the absence of the deponent was procured by the party offering the deposition;
(3) That the deponent is unable to attend or testify because of illness or infirmity;
(4) That the deponent is confined in jail or prison outside the state; or
(5) That such exceptional circumstances exist as to make it desirable, in the interest of justice and with due regard to the importance of presenting the testimony of witnesses orally in open court, to allow the deposition to be used, and the offering party has made application and given notice.
If a deposition has been taken, it may be read in any phase of the same action and on any hearing of the action. Any deposition may also be used by any party for the purpose of contradicting or impeaching the testimony of the deponent as a witness. If only a part of a deposition is offered in evidence by a party, an adverse party may require the offering party to offer all of the deposition that is relevant to the part offered and any party may offer other parts.
Source: SL 1991, ch 217, § 70E.