In all criminal cases and in civil cases if the county is a party, if two or more attorneys are employed by the defendant in a criminal case or by the opposite party in civil cases the board of county commissioners may employ counsel to assist the state’s attorney in the trial of the cases at the compensation that is agreed upon between the board and counsel. In civil cases or administrative proceedings outside the county if the county or any county officers are named as parties, the board of county commissioners or county officers, if bringing suit in their official capacities or if sued in their individual or official capacities, may employ the county’s state’s attorney, deputy state’s attorney, limited deputy state’s attorney or any firm, association or corporation with whom the state’s attorney, deputy state’s attorney or limited deputy state’s attorney is affiliated, to prosecute or defend the actions, and compensation in addition to the state’s attorney’s salary may be paid for the legal services.

Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 7-16-6

  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Prosecute: To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.
  • 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 1901, ch 93, § 1; RPolC 1903, § 944; RC 1919, § 6014; SDC 1939, § 12.1306; SL 1983, ch 44, § 2; SL 1985, ch 50, § 3.