South Dakota criminal charge
Coercion to undergo abortion in South Dakota
Coercion to undergo abortion is a criminal offense under South Dakota law, defined by SDCL § 22-17-14. Its classification is not fixed: South Dakota assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by SDCL § 22-17-14.
What is the penalty for coercion to undergo abortion in South Dakota?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 1 year (First offense coercion to undergo abortion — Applies when a person coerces, compels, or attempts to compel a pregnant woman to undergo an abortion, or requires her to agree to certain contract provisions penalizing refusal, on a first offense.; county jail) | discretionary | SDCL § 22-6-2 |
| Fine | up to $2,000 (First offense coercion to undergo abortion — Applies when a person coerces, compels, or attempts to compel a pregnant woman to undergo an abortion, or requires her to agree to certain contract provisions penalizing refusal, on a first offense.) | discretionary | SDCL § 22-6-2 |
| Jail / prison | up to 2 years (Subsequent offense coercion to undergo abortion — Applies when a person commits a subsequent violation of this section after a prior offense.) | discretionary | SDCL § 22-6-1 |
| Fine | up to $4,000 (Subsequent offense coercion to undergo abortion — Applies when a person commits a subsequent violation of this section after a prior offense.) | discretionary | SDCL § 22-6-1 |
Applies to current.
How is coercion to undergo abortion classified in South Dakota?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| First offense coercion to undergo abortion | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Applies when a person coerces, compels, or attempts to compel a pregnant woman to undergo an abortion, or requires her to agree to certain contract provisions penalizing refusal, on a first offense. | SDCL § 22-17-14undefined |
| Subsequent offense coercion to undergo abortion | Class 6 Felony | Applies when a person commits a subsequent violation of this section after a prior offense. | SDCL § 22-17-14undefined |
Common questions about coercion to undergo abortion in South Dakota
Is coercion to undergo abortion a felony or a misdemeanor in South Dakota?
It depends on the circumstances: coercion to undergo abortion ranges from a Class 1 Misdemeanor to a Class 6 Felony in South Dakota under SDCL § 22-17-14.
First offense coercion to undergo abortion: Class 1 Misdemeanor (SDCL § 22-17-14) · Subsequent offense coercion to undergo abortion: Class 6 Felony (SDCL § 22-17-14)
What are the penalties for coercion to undergo abortion in South Dakota?
Which South Dakota statute covers coercion to undergo abortion?
Coercion to undergo abortion is governed by SDCL § 22-17-14 (Coercion to undergo abortion--Penalty).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.