South Dakota Codified Laws
Chapter 18 - Assaults And Personal Injuries
Section 22-18-4 - Force--Defense of person.

22-18-4. Force--Defense of person.
A person is justified in using or threatening to use force, other than deadly force, against another if the person reasonably believes that using or threatening to use force is necessary to defend against the other's imminent use of unlawful force.
A person who uses or threatens to use force in accordance with this section does not have a duty to retreat before using or threatening to use force.

Source: SDC 1939, §13.2402 (3); SL 2005, ch 120, §8; SL 2006, ch 116, §2; SL 2021, ch 93, §2.

<< Previous
Next >>

Structure South Dakota Codified Laws

South Dakota Codified Laws

Title 22 - Crimes

Chapter 18 - Assaults And Personal Injuries

Section 22-18-1 - Simple assault--Violation as misdemeanor--Third or subsequent offense a felony--Violation in other states.

Section 22-18-1.1 - Aggravated assault--Felony.

Section 22-18-1.2 - Criminal battery of an unborn child--Misdemeanor.

Section 22-18-1.3 - Aggravated criminal battery of an unborn child--Felony.

Section 22-18-1.4 - Aggravated battery of an infant--Felony.

Section 22-18-1.5 - Assaults with intent to cause serious permanent disfigurement--Felony.

Section 22-18-1.05 - Simple or aggravated assault against law enforcement officer, firefighter, ambulance personnel, Department of Corrections employee or contractor, health care personnel, or other public officer.

Section 22-18-2 - Justifiable force used by public officer in performance of duty--Assistance or direction of officer.

Section 22-18-3 - Lawful force in arrest and delivery of felon.

Section 22-18-3.1 - Definitions.

Section 22-18-4 - Force--Defense of person.

Section 22-18-4.1 - Deadly force--Defense of person.

Section 22-18-4.2 - Defense of dwelling or residence--Force--Deadly force.

Section 22-18-4.3 - Imminent death--Great bodily injury--Reasonable fear.

Section 22-18-4.4 - Presumption of fear--Exceptions.

Section 22-18-4.5 - Unlawful entry--Presumption.

Section 22-18-4.6 - Force--Defense of property other than a dwelling.

Section 22-18-4.7 - Deadly force--Defense of property other than a dwelling.

Section 22-18-4.8 - Immunity--Burden of proof.

Section 22-18-4.9 - Aggressor--Use of force--Justification not available.

Section 22-18-5 - Reasonable force used by parent, guardian, or teacher in correcting child, pupil, or ward.

Section 22-18-6 - Reasonable force used by carrier to expel passenger--Vehicle stopped.

Section 22-18-26 - Assault by convicted or incarcerated person under Department of Corrections jurisdiction--Intentionally causing contact with bodily fluids or human waste--Felony.

Section 22-18-26.1 - Intentionally causing contact with bodily fluids or human waste--Assault upon any other person--Misdemeanor.

Section 22-18-29 - Assault by adult prisoner in county or municipal jail--Intentionally causing contact with bodily fluids or human waste--Felony.

Section 22-18-29.1 - Assault by juvenile confined in detention facility or juvenile corrections facility--Intentionally causing contact with bodily fluids or human waste--Felony.

Section 22-18-30 - Third or subsequent offense--Offense in another state.

Section 22-18-31 - Intentional exposure to HIV infection a felony.

Section 22-18-32 - Definition of terms.

Section 22-18-33 - Informed consent of person exposed to HIV an affirmative defense.

Section 22-18-34 - Actual transmission of HIV not required for criminal exposure.

Section 22-18-35 - Disorderly conduct--Misdemeanor.

Section 22-18-36 - Vehicular battery.

Section 22-18-37 - Female genital mutilation--Felony.

Section 22-18-38 - Religion, custom, or consent not a defense to female genital mutilation.

Section 22-18-39 - Certain surgical procedures permitted.

Section 22-18-40 - Standing on highway with intent to impede or stop traffic--Misdemeanor.

Section 22-18-41 - Unlawful directing--Light--Laser pointer.