Within a reasonable time but not more than one year after final judgment, a court on motion of a defendant or upon its own motion may relieve a defendant from final judgment if required in the interest of justice. If the original trial was by a court without a jury, the court on motion of a defendant or upon its own motion, may vacate the judgment if entered, order a new trial or take additional testimony and direct the entry of a new judgment.

A motion under this section does not affect the finality of a judgment or suspend its operation.

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Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 23A-27-4.1

  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Remand: When an appellate court sends a case back to a lower court for further proceedings.
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.

If an appeal is pending, the court may grant a motion under this section only upon remand of the case.

Source: SL 1987, ch 410 (Supreme Court Rule 86-36).