South Dakota legal term
Moral turpitude in South Dakota Criminal Law
Current through 2026 South Dakota legislative session
In South Dakota criminal law, “Moral turpitude” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the South Dakota criminal code.
What does “Moral turpitude” mean in South Dakota criminal law?
(25) "Moral turpitude," an act done contrary to justice, honesty, principle, or good morals, as well as an act of baseness, vileness, or depravity in the private and social duties which a person owes to his fellow man or to society in general; (26) "Motor vehicle," any automobile, motor truck, motorcycle, house trailer, trailer coach, cabin trailer, or any vehicle propelled by power other than muscular power; (27) "Obtain," (a) In relation to property, to bring about a transfer or purported transfer of a legal interest in the property, whether to the actor or another; or (b) In relation to lab (SDCL § 22-1-2)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.