South Dakota statute
SDCL § 23A-25-5 — Officers sworn to protect privacy of jury--Overnight sequestration or separation--Prevention of communication--Return to court on reaching verdict
Current through text effective June 30, 2026 (through the 2025 Regular Session)
Part of Chapter 25: Jury Instructions And Deliberations, South Dakota Codified Laws.
Full text of SDCL § 23A-25-5
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.
Before the jurors retire for deliberation, one or more officers shall be sworn to keep the jurors together in some private and convenient place, with such suitable food and drink as the court shall direct. The court may, in its discretion, either sequester the jurors during the adjournment of court overnight, under supervision of such officers, or allow the jurors to separate overnight during the adjournment of the court without supervision after proper admonishment. While supervising the jurors, the officers may not permit any person (including themselves) to communicate with the jurors or to ask whether the jurors have agreed upon a verdict except by order of court. The officers shall return the jurors into court when the jury has agreed upon a verdict.
Official sources
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