South Dakota statute
SDCL § 22-49-5 — Torture of a human trafficking victim--Felony
Current through text effective June 30, 2026 (through the 2025 Regular Session)
Part of Chapter 49: Human Trafficking, South Dakota Codified Laws.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of SDCL § 22-49-5
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.
A person who, with the intent to cause cruel physical or mental pain, inflicts serious bodily injury or serious mental injury upon a human trafficking victim while the victim is the subject of human trafficking is guilty of a Class 1 felony. Proof that the victim suffered pain is not an element of the crime of torture of a human trafficking victim.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is torture of a human trafficking victim a felony or a misdemeanor in South Dakota?
Torture of a human trafficking victim is a Class 1 Felony in South Dakota under SDCL § 22-49-5.
Which South Dakota statute covers torture of a human trafficking victim?
Torture of a human trafficking victim is governed by SDCL § 22-49-5 (Torture of a human trafficking victim--Felony).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.