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South Dakota criminal charge

Hiring for sexual activity in South Dakota

Current through 2026 South Dakota legislative session

Hiring for sexual activity is a criminal offense under South Dakota law, defined by SDCL § 22-23-9. 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 § 22-23-9.

What is the penalty for hiring for sexual activity in South Dakota?

Penalties for Hiring for sexual activity
PenaltyRangeBasisAuthority
Jail / prisonup to 1 year (Hiring for sexual activity (first offense) — Applies when a person hires or attempts to hire another for a fee or other compensation to engage in sexual activity, without a qualifying prior conviction.; county jail)discretionarySDCL § 22-6-2
Fineup to $2,000 (Hiring for sexual activity (first offense) — Applies when a person hires or attempts to hire another for a fee or other compensation to engage in sexual activity, without a qualifying prior conviction.)discretionarySDCL § 22-6-2
Jail / prisonup to 2 years (Hiring for sexual activity (repeat offense) — Applies when the person has one or more prior convictions or guilty pleas under this section or § 22-23-2 within the previous ten years.)discretionarySDCL § 22-6-1
Fineup to $4,000 (Hiring for sexual activity (repeat offense) — Applies when the person has one or more prior convictions or guilty pleas under this section or § 22-23-2 within the previous ten years.)discretionarySDCL § 22-6-1

Applies to current.

How is hiring for sexual activity classified in South Dakota?

The classification depends on the circumstances:

Classification variants for Hiring for sexual activity
VariantClassificationWhen it appliesStatute
Hiring for sexual activity (first offense)Class 1 MisdemeanorApplies when a person hires or attempts to hire another for a fee or other compensation to engage in sexual activity, without a qualifying prior conviction.SDCL § 22-23-9undefined
Hiring for sexual activity (repeat offense)Class 6 FelonyApplies when the person has one or more prior convictions or guilty pleas under this section or § 22-23-2 within the previous ten years.SDCL § 22-23-9undefined

Common questions about hiring for sexual activity in South Dakota

Is hiring for sexual activity a felony or a misdemeanor in South Dakota?

It depends on the circumstances: hiring for sexual activity ranges from a Class 1 Misdemeanor to a Class 6 Felony in South Dakota under SDCL § 22-23-9.

Hiring for sexual activity (first offense): Class 1 Misdemeanor (SDCL § 22-23-9) · Hiring for sexual activity (repeat offense): Class 6 Felony (SDCL § 22-23-9)

What are the penalties for hiring for sexual activity in South Dakota?

Penalties for hiring for sexual activity in South Dakota depend on how it is classified — from a Class 1 Misdemeanor up to a Class 6 Felony — with the ranges set by SDCL § 22-6-2 and SDCL § 22-6-1; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.

Which South Dakota statute covers hiring for sexual activity?

Hiring for sexual activity is governed by SDCL § 22-23-9 (Hiring for sexual activity--Misdemeanor or felony).

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.