South Dakota statute

SDCL § 22-11-31 — Harassment by threat of fraudulent legal proceedings or liens prohibited--Misdemeanor--Subsequent violation felony

Current through text effective June 30, 2026 (through the 2025 Regular Session)

Part of Chapter 11: Obstruction Of The Administration Of Government, South Dakota Codified Laws.

Criminal charges under this statute

Harassment by threat of fraudulent legal proceedings or liens prohibited

Full text of SDCL § 22-11-31

Statutory text current through the text effective June 30, 2026 (through the 2025 Regular Session). This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of South Dakota.

SDCL § 22-11-31Primary source, current through the text effective June 30, 2026 (through the 2025 Regular Session)

Any person who harasses any other person by sending or delivering, or causing to be sent or delivered, any letter, paper, document, notice of intent to bring suit, or other notice or demand that simulates any form of court or legal process and that threatens the other person, directly or indirectly, with incarceration, monetary fines, or penalties, or with the imposition of a counterfeit lien on the real or personal property of the other person is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. A second or subsequent conviction for a violation of this section is a Class 6 felony. Lack of belief in the jurisdiction or authority of the state or of the United States is no defense to a prosecution under this section.

Official sources

Official OLLS publication (Title download)

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is harassment by threat of fraudulent legal proceedings or liens prohibited a felony or a misdemeanor in South Dakota?

It depends on the circumstances: harassment by threat of fraudulent legal proceedings or liens prohibited ranges from a Class 1 Misdemeanor to a Class 6 Felony in South Dakota under SDCL § 22-11-31.

Harassment by threat of fraudulent legal proceedings or liens (first offense): Class 1 Misdemeanor (SDCL § 22-11-31) · Harassment by threat of fraudulent legal proceedings or liens (second or subsequent offense): Class 6 Felony (SDCL § 22-11-31)

Which South Dakota statute covers harassment by threat of fraudulent legal proceedings or liens prohibited?

Harassment by threat of fraudulent legal proceedings or liens prohibited is governed by SDCL § 22-11-31 (Harassment by threat of fraudulent legal proceedings or liens prohibited--Misdemeanor--Subsequent violation felony).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.