South Dakota Felony

Felony Charges in South Dakota

If you are facing a criminal charge in South Dakota, it’s vital to understand the felony classifications and their consequences. Felony charges are serious and can have long-lasting effects on your life. In South Dakota, felonies are classified into six categories based on the severity of the crime and the level of punishment. The consequences of a felony conviction can range from fines and probation to imprisonment and lifelong social stigma.

Understanding the felony classifications can help you make informed decisions about your legal defense and the possible outcomes of your case. In this post, we will provide an overview of the South Dakota felony classifications and their consequences, so you can better understand the legal process and what to expect if you are facing a felony charge.

South Dakota Felony Classifications

A felony in the state of South Dakota can be defined as a crime that can be punished by an imprisonment term in state prison. Misdemeanor offenses, on the other hand, are served in local or county jails. South Dakota has more felony classifications than any other state with nine different classes for the offenses. These classifications begin alphabetically with Class A Felonies through Class C Felonies and progress numerically to Class 1 Felonies through Class 6 Felonies.

SD Class A Felony

Class A felonies are the most serious type of offense in South Dakota and carry the harshest penalties. Examples include murder, rape, kidnapping, and some forms of arson. Sentences range from life imprisonment (with or without the possibility of parole) to the death penalty.

SD Class B Felony

Class B felonies are classified as non-violent offenses and typically involve property crimes such as burglary and embezzlement. Penalties may include up to 25 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $50,000.

SD Class C Felony

Class C felonies are considered mid-level offenses and cover a variety of crimes, including white-collar crimes, corporate fraud, illegal weapons possession, and drug trafficking. The possible sentence for these felony offenses is up to 10 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine.

SD Class 1-6 Felony

Class 1-6 felonies are generally considered the least serious felony offenses in South Dakota, although they can still result in significant prison time. Common examples include minor drug possession, certain types of theft, and minor acts of violence.

Class 1 Felony South Dakota

In South Dakota, Class 1 Felonies are considered the most serious and are punishable by life imprisonment. These are crimes that are often premeditated, violent and have severe consequences for the victim and their families.
Some examples of Class 1 Felonies include:

• murder
• rape
• kidnapping
• treason

These are crimes that are considered heinous and have long-lasting effects on the victim and their loved ones.

In South Dakota, Class 1 Felonies carry severe punishments including life imprisonment without parole, which means the offender will never be released back into society. In some cases, the offender may also face the death penalty, which is the ultimate punishment reserved for the most heinous of crimes.

Class 2 Felony South Dakota

Class 2 felonies are some of the most serious crimes in South Dakota and can carry severe consequences. These offenses are punishable by up to 50 years in prison and/or a $50,000 fine. Examples of Class 2 felonies include:

• First-degree burglary: unlawfully entering a building with the intent to commit a crime and either using or threatening to use force against a person while inside. This offense is punishable by up to 25 years in prison and/or a $50,000 fine.
• Kidnapping: the unlawful confinement or removal of a person by force or threat, and can also include holding someone for ransom or as a hostage. This offense is punishable by up to 50 years in prison and/or a $50,000 fine.
• Aggravated assault: the intentional infliction of serious bodily harm on another person, or the use of a deadly weapon to cause bodily harm. This offense is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and/or a $30,000 fine.

All of which involve serious bodily harm or the use of a deadly weapon.

Class 3 Felony South Dakota

Class 3 felonies are considered serious crimes in the state of South Dakota. These types of felonies are punishable by a prison sentence of up to 15 years and/or a fine of $30,000.

Examples of crimes that fall under this classification include

• aggravated assault
• third-degree burglary
• theft of property valued between $1,000 and $2,500
• possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

If you are convicted of a Class 3 felony, you can face long-term consequences that can affect your future employment opportunities, your ability to obtain housing, and even your ability to vote.

Class 4 Felony South Dakota

Class 4 felonies are serious offenses that carry severe consequences, including imprisonment for up to 10 years and/or a fine of up to $20,000. These crimes are considered more serious than Class 5 and 6 felonies, but less serious than Class 3, 2, and 1 felonies.

Examples of Class 4 felonies in South Dakota include

• grand theft
• second-degree burglary
• aggravated assault

These crimes involve a significant degree of harm to the victim or society as a whole.

Class 5 Felony South Dakota

Class 5 felonies in South Dakota are serious offenses that can carry serious consequences. These felonies are punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment and/or a $10,000 fine.

Examples of class 5 felonies include:

• aggravated assault
• theft of property valued between $5,000 and $100,000
• forgery of checks or other financial instruments

Class 6 Felony South Dakota

Class 6 Felonies in South Dakota are considered less severe than the other felony classifications. However, they still come with serious consequences that can impact the life of the offender. A Class 6 Felony is a crime that is punishable by up to 2 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $4,000.

Examples of crimes that fall under this classification include:

• simple assault
• theft of property valued between $1,000 and $2,500
• unauthorized possession of a controlled substance

While these crimes may seem minor in nature, a conviction for any of them can have a significant impact on an individual’s life.

A two-year prison sentence may not seem like a long time, but it can disrupt an individual’s life and impact their ability to earn a living. A criminal record can also make it difficult to find employment or housing and can limit opportunities in other areas of life.

Consequences of a felony conviction in South Dakota

A felony conviction in South Dakota can have severe and long-lasting consequences. It is important to understand these consequences before making any decisions that could lead to a felony conviction.

One of the most significant consequences of a felony conviction is the loss of certain civil rights, such as the right to vote, the right to own or possess a firearm, and the right to serve on a jury. A felony conviction can also result in the loss of certain professional licenses or certifications, which can make it difficult to find employment in certain fields.
In addition, a felony conviction can have a negative impact on your personal life, including your ability to obtain housing, loans, and other financial services. It can also affect your ability to travel internationally, as some countries may deny entry to individuals with a criminal record.

Perhaps the most significant consequence of a felony conviction is the potential for incarceration. South Dakota has strict sentencing guidelines for felony convictions, and individuals convicted of a felony may face significant prison time. The length of the sentence will depend on the severity of the crime and other factors, such as prior criminal history.

How long do felony convictions stay on your record in South Dakota?

If you are convicted of a felony in South Dakota, the consequences can be long-lasting. One of the most common questions people ask is how long the felony conviction will stay on their record.

In South Dakota, a felony conviction will remain on your record for life unless you take legal action to have it expunged. Expungement is a legal process that removes a conviction from your record, making it as though the conviction never happened.

However, it’s important to note that not all felony convictions can be expunged. In South Dakota, only certain non-violent felony offenses can be expunged from your record. Additionally, you must meet certain eligibility requirements and go through the legal process before the conviction can be expunged.

Can a felony conviction be expunged in South Dakota?

Many people who have been convicted of a felony are interested in finding out if they can have their criminal record expunged. Expungement is the process of sealing a criminal record so that it is not available to the public. In South Dakota, however, expungement is not available for felony convictions.

South Dakota law only permits expungement for certain misdemeanor offenses and juvenile offenses. Once a person has been convicted of a felony in South Dakota, that conviction will remain on their criminal record permanently.

How a criminal defense attorney can help

Facing felony charges in South Dakota can be a very daunting experience. With the possibility of significant prison time, fines, and a permanent criminal record, it’s crucial to seek the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney.
A qualified attorney can assess your case, evaluate the evidence, and determine if any defense strategies can be employed to protect your rights and potentially reduce or dismiss the charges.

Additionally, an attorney can guide you through the complexities of the legal system and ensure that your constitutional rights are protected. They can also negotiate with the prosecution on your behalf, potentially securing a plea deal that may result in less severe consequences.

Conclusion and final thoughts

In conclusion, understanding the South Dakota felony classifications and their consequences is crucial to avoid committing felonies and comprehending the implications of any potential criminal charges. Felonies in South Dakota are classified into four categories with varying degrees of severity, ranging from Class 1 to Class 4. Convictions for felony charges can result in serious consequences, including significant fines, lengthy prison sentences, and a criminal record that can affect a person’s employment, housing, and other aspects of their life.

It’s important to remember that being charged with a felony doesn’t necessarily mean that you will be convicted. Seeking legal advice from an experienced criminal defense attorney can help you understand your rights, build a strong defense, and potentially reduce or dismiss the charges against you.

We hope you found our article on South Dakota felony classifications and their consequences informative. Understanding the consequences of a felony conviction is crucial for anyone who has been charged with a crime. Our post provides an overview of the different felony classifications in South Dakota, as well as the potential penalties that come with each one. We hope that this information helps you make informed decisions about your legal situation and seek the help of a qualified attorney if necessary. Remember, the best way to avoid a felony conviction is to avoid committing a felony in the first place.