Skip to main content
US Criminal Defense.org
Menu

South Dakota criminal charge

Sexual contact without consent with person capable of consenting in South Dakota

Current through 2026 South Dakota legislative session

Sexual contact without consent with person capable of consenting is a criminal offense under South Dakota law, defined by SDCL § 22-22-7.4. 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 § 22-22-7.4.

What is the penalty for sexual contact without consent with person capable of consenting in South Dakota?

Penalties for Sexual contact without consent with person capable of consenting
PenaltyRangeBasisAuthority
Jail / prisonup to 1 year (Sexual contact without consent (general) — Applies when a person fifteen or older knowingly engages in nonconsensual sexual contact with a non-spouse who is capable of consenting.; county jail)discretionarySDCL § 22-6-2
Fineup to $2,000 (Sexual contact without consent (general) — Applies when a person fifteen or older knowingly engages in nonconsensual sexual contact with a non-spouse who is capable of consenting.)discretionarySDCL § 22-6-2
Jail / prisonup to 2 years (Sexual contact without consent by registered sex offender — Applies when the defendant was registered as a sex offender under chapter 22-24B at the time of the offense.)discretionarySDCL § 22-6-1
Fineup to $4,000 (Sexual contact without consent by registered sex offender — Applies when the defendant was registered as a sex offender under chapter 22-24B at the time of the offense.)discretionarySDCL § 22-6-1

Applies to current.

How is sexual contact without consent with person capable of consenting classified in South Dakota?

The classification depends on the circumstances:

Classification variants for Sexual contact without consent with person capable of consenting
VariantClassificationWhen it appliesStatute
Sexual contact without consent (general)Class 1 MisdemeanorApplies when a person fifteen or older knowingly engages in nonconsensual sexual contact with a non-spouse who is capable of consenting.SDCL § 22-22-7.4undefined
Sexual contact without consent by registered sex offenderClass 6 FelonyApplies when the defendant was registered as a sex offender under chapter 22-24B at the time of the offense.SDCL § 22-22-7.4undefined

Common questions about sexual contact without consent with person capable of consenting in South Dakota

Is sexual contact without consent with person capable of consenting a felony or a misdemeanor in South Dakota?

It depends on the circumstances: sexual contact without consent with person capable of consenting ranges from a Class 1 Misdemeanor to a Class 6 Felony in South Dakota under SDCL § 22-22-7.4.

Sexual contact without consent (general): Class 1 Misdemeanor (SDCL § 22-22-7.4) · Sexual contact without consent by registered sex offender: Class 6 Felony (SDCL § 22-22-7.4)

What are the penalties for sexual contact without consent with person capable of consenting in South Dakota?

Penalties for sexual contact without consent with person capable of consenting 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 sexual contact without consent with person capable of consenting?

Sexual contact without consent with person capable of consenting is governed by SDCL § 22-22-7.4 (Sexual contact without consent with person capable of consenting--Misdemeanor or felony--Separate information).

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.