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Legal Information: South Dakota

Statutes: South Dakota

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Updated: 
October 1, 2020

22-18-1. Simple assault--Misdemeanor--Felony for subsequent offenses

Any person who:

(1) Attempts to cause bodily injury to another and has the actual ability to cause the injury;

(2) Recklessly causes bodily injury to another;

(3) Negligently causes bodily injury to another with a dangerous weapon;

(4) Attempts by physical menace or credible threat to put another in fear of imminent bodily harm, with or without the actual ability to harm the other person; or

(5) Intentionally causes bodily injury to another which does not result in serious bodily injury;

is guilty of simple assault. Simple assault is a Class 1 misdemeanor. However, if the defendant has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty to, two or more violations of § 22-18-1, 22-18-1.1, 22-18-26, or 22-18-29 within ten years of committing the current offense, the defendant is guilty of a Class 6 felony for any third or subsequent offense.

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