49-34-16. Unauthorized or fraudulent connection as misdemeanor--Civil liability unaffected.
It is a Class 2 misdemeanor for any person without lawful authority to connect or cause to be connected with a main or service pipe or conductor of heat, refrigeration, air conditioning, gas, water or electricity, a pipe, wire or other device for the purpose of obtaining gas, water, electrical current, heat or other service therefrom; or to, with intent to defraud, connect or cause to be connected with any meter installed by such company for the purpose of registering the amount of gas, water, electricity, heat or other service supplied to a customer, any pipe, wire or other device, or to disconnect, change, or in any manner interfere with any such meter or any pipe, wire or appliance connected therewith, so that such meter will not measure or register the full amount of gas, water, electricity, heat or other service supplied to a customer. Nothing in this section shall affect the right of a service company to recover by an action at law for the loss of gas, water, electricity, heat or other service, or any injury caused by such unlawful connection.
Source: SDC 1939, §13.1813; SL 1983, ch 15, §138.
Structure South Dakota Codified Laws
Title 49 - Public Utilities and Carriers
Chapter 34 - Electric, Gas, Water, Heating, Refrigeration And Street Railways Facilities And Service
Section 49-34-1 - Use of public way for transmission facilities.
Section 49-34-2 - Construction standards--Obstruction of travel--Repairs.
Section 49-34-3 - Contracts for central heating.
Section 49-34-4 - Acquiring property for accessory facilities--Procedure for condemnation.
Section 49-34-5 - Condemnation of parks or boulevards prohibited.
Section 49-34-8 - Extension of foreign facilities through state--Local taxation and regulation.
Section 49-34-9 - Power to borrow money and give security--Resolution of board of directors.
Section 49-34-10 - Foreclosure of security--Succession to rights and powers.
Section 49-34-11.1 - Public utility defined.
Section 49-34-13 - False meter readings as misdemeanor.
Section 49-34-14 - Overcharging--Civil fine.
Section 49-34-15 - Destruction of facilities as felony.
Section 49-34-16 - Unauthorized or fraudulent connection as misdemeanor--Civil liability unaffected.
Section 49-34-18 - Unauthorized use of service--Definitions.
Section 49-34-19.1 - Tampering with back flow preventer a misdemeanor.