South Dakota Codified Laws
Chapter 19 - South Dakota Rules of Evidence
Section 19-19-611 - Mode and order of examining witnesses and presenting evidence.

19-19-611. Mode and order of examining witnesses and presenting evidence.
(a) Control by the court; purposes. The court should exercise reasonable control over the mode and order of examining witnesses and presenting evidence so as to:
(1)Make those procedures effective for determining the truth;
(2)Avoid wasting time; and
(3)Protect witnesses from harassment or undue embarrassment.
(b) Scope of cross-examination. Cross-examination should not go beyond the subject matter of the direct examination and matters affecting the witness's credibility. The court may allow inquiry into additional matters as if on direct examination.
(c) Leading questions. Leading questions should not be used on direct examination except as necessary to develop the witness's testimony. Ordinarily, the court should allow leading questions:
(1)On cross-examination; and
(2)When a party calls a hostile witness, an adverse party, or a witness identified with an adverse party.

Source: SL 1979, ch 358 (Supreme Court Rule 78-2, Rule 611); SDCL ยงยง19-14-18, 19-14-19, 19-14-20; SL 2016, ch 239 (Supreme Court Rule 15-44), eff. Jan. 1, 2016.

Structure South Dakota Codified Laws

South Dakota Codified Laws

Title 19 - Evidence

Chapter 19 - South Dakota Rules of Evidence

Section 19-19-101 - Scope--Definitions.

Section 19-19-102 - Purpose.

Section 19-19-103 - Rulings on evidence.

Section 19-19-104 - Preliminary questions.

Section 19-19-105 - Limiting evidence that is not admissible against other parties or for other purposes.

Section 19-19-106 - Remainder of or related writings or recorded statements.

Section 19-19-201 - Judicial notice of adjudicative facts.

Section 19-19-301 - Presumptions in civil cases.

Section 19-19-302 - Presumptions in criminal cases.

Section 19-19-401 - Test for relevant evidence.

Section 19-19-402 - Relevant evidence generally admissible--Irrelevant evidence inadmissible.

Section 19-19-403 - Excluding relevant evidence for prejudice, confusion, waste of time, or other reasons.

Section 19-19-404 - Character evidence--Crimes or other acts.

Section 19-19-405 - Methods of proving character.

Section 19-19-406 - Habit--Routine practice.

Section 19-19-407 - Subsequent remedial measures.

Section 19-19-408 - Compromise offers and negotiations.

Section 19-19-409 - Offers to pay medical and similar expenses.

Section 19-19-410 - Pleas, plea discussions, and related statements.

Section 19-19-411 - Liability insurance.

Section 19-19-411.1 - Statements and actions by health care providers not admissible to prove negligence in medical malpractice actions.

Section 19-19-412 - Sex-offense cases--Victim's sexual behavior or predisposition.

Section 19-19-501 - Privileges recognized only as provided.

Section 19-19-502 - Lawyer-client privilege.

Section 19-19-503 - Physician and psychotherapist-patient privilege.

Section 19-19-504 - Spousal privilege.

Section 19-19-505 - Religious privilege.

Section 19-19-506 - Vote at public election.

Section 19-19-507 - Trade secrets.

Section 19-19-508 - Confidential communications to public officer.

Section 19-19-508.1 - Student and counselor, psychologist, or social worker--Exceptions.

Section 19-19-508.2 - College or university counselor and student--Exceptions--Qualifications of counselor.

Section 19-19-509 - Identity of informer.

Section 19-19-510 - Waiver of privilege by voluntary disclosure.

Section 19-19-511 - Privilege not waived by involuntary disclosure.

Section 19-19-512 - Comment upon or inference from claim of privilege--Instruction.

Section 19-19-513 - Motorist's refusal to submit to chemical test of intoxication admissible--Privilege against self-incrimination may not be claimed.

Section 19-19-514 - Sign language interpreter or relay service operator privilege.

Section 19-19-515 - Mediation privilege.

Section 19-19-516 - Communications concerning execution of inmate.

Section 19-19-601 - Competency to testify in general.

Section 19-19-602 - Need for personal knowledge--Exception for expert opinion.

Section 19-19-603 - Oath or affirmation to testify truthfully.

Section 19-19-603.1 - Form for oath of witness.

Section 19-19-603.2 - Form for affirmation of witness.

Section 19-19-604 - Form for oath of interpreter.

Section 19-19-605 - Judge's competency as a witness.

Section 19-19-606 - Juror's competency as a witness.

Section 19-19-607 - Who may impeach a witness.

Section 19-19-608 - A witness's character for truthfulness or untruthfulness.

Section 19-19-609 - Impeachment by evidence of a criminal conviction.

Section 19-19-610 - Religious beliefs or opinions.

Section 19-19-611 - Mode and order of examining witnesses and presenting evidence.

Section 19-19-611.1 - Address of witness--Release in open court restricted.

Section 19-19-612 - Writing used to refresh a witness's memory.

Section 19-19-613 - Witness's prior statement.

Section 19-19-614 - Court's calling or examining a witness.

Section 19-19-615 - Excluding witnesses.

Section 19-19-701 - Opinion testimony by lay witnesses.

Section 19-19-702 - Testimony by expert.

Section 19-19-703 - Bases of opinion testimony by experts.

Section 19-19-704 - Opinion on an ultimate issue.

Section 19-19-705 - Disclosure of facts or data underlying expert opinion.

Section 19-19-706 - Court-appointed expert witnesses.

Section 19-19-707 - Experts called by parties.

Section 19-19-801 - Definitions that apply to this article--Exclusions from hearsay.

Section 19-19-802 - Rule against hearsay.

Section 19-19-803 - Exceptions to the rule against hearsay--Regardless of whether the declarant is available as a witness.

Section 19-19-803.1 - Physician's written report in lieu of deposition or in-court testimony admissible.

Section 19-19-803.2 - Physician's written report--Affidavit--Notice--Objection.

Section 19-19-804 - Exceptions to rule against hearsay--When declarant unavailable as witness.

Section 19-19-805 - Hearsay within hearsay.

Section 19-19-806 - Attacking and supporting the declarant.

Section 19-19-806.1 - Statement by child under age thirteen or child with developmental disability regarding sex crime, physical abuse, or neglect.

Section 19-19-806.2 - Statements alleging child abuse or neglect.

Section 19-19-807 - Residual exception.

Section 19-19-901 - Authenticating or identifying evidence.

Section 19-19-902 - Evidence that is self-authenticating.

Section 19-19-903 - Subscribing witnesses.

Section 19-19-1001 - Definitions that apply to this article.

Section 19-19-1002 - Requirement of the original.

Section 19-19-1003 - Admissibility of duplicates.

Section 19-19-1004 - Admissibility of other evidence of content.

Section 19-19-1005 - Copies of public records to prove content.

Section 19-19-1006 - Summaries to prove content.

Section 19-19-1007 - Testimony or statement of a party to prove content.

Section 19-19-1008 - Functions of the court and jury.

Section 19-19-1009 - TDD and TTY communications inadmissible as evidence.

Section 19-19-1101 - Applicability of chapter.

Section 19-19-1102 - Title.