South Dakota legal term
Serious bodily injury in South Dakota Criminal Law
Current through 2026 South Dakota legislative session
In South Dakota criminal law, “Serious bodily injury” 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 “Serious bodily injury” mean in South Dakota criminal law?
(45) "Serious bodily injury," such injury as is grave and not trivial, and gives rise to apprehension of danger to life, health, or limb; (46) "Short rifle," any rifle having a barrel less than sixteen inches long, or an overall length of less than twenty-six inches; (47) "Short shotgun," any shotgun having a barrel less than eighteen inches long or an overall length of less than twenty-six inches; (48) "Signature," any name, mark, or sign, written with intent to authenticate any instrument or writing; (49) "Structure," any house, building, outbuilding, motor vehicle, watercraft, aircraft, rai (SDCL § 22-1-2)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- Simple assault
- Aggravated assault
- Aggravated battery of an infant
- Aggravated criminal battery of an unborn child
- False fire alarm causing serious bodily injury or death
- Fetal homicide
- Intentional use of device or explosive to cause serious bodily injury
- Kidnapping
- Kidnapping in the second degree
- Reckless burning or exploding
- Torture of a human trafficking victim
- Watercraft battery
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.