South Dakota Codified Laws 26-11A-20. Grounds for discharge of juvenile–Department’s jurisdiction ends at age twenty-one
The secretary of corrections may discharge a juvenile from the Department of Corrections upon the following:
(1) As a reward for good conduct and upon satisfactory evidence of reformation;
Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 26-11A-20
- Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
- Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
(2) As a result of a conviction for a new crime as an adult, if the juvenile is placed on adult probation or sentenced to the county jail or a state correctional facility;
(3) If the juvenile, upon reaching the age of majority, lives outside the jurisdiction of the State of South Dakota and the interstate compact on juveniles is not available due to the juvenile’s age or circumstances; or
(4) If the juvenile is on aftercare and has a suitable placement, and a discharge is determined to be in the best interests of the juvenile.
No adjudicated juvenile may remain within the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections beyond the age of twenty-one years. The discharge of a juvenile from the Department of Corrections constitutes a complete release from all penalties, excluding unpaid fines, fees, or restitution.
Source: SL 1996, ch 172, § 73; SL 2007, ch 163, § 6; SL 2023, ch 82, § 96.