South Dakota Codified Laws 42-8-45.4. Amount of alcohol in blood–Presumptions
In any criminal prosecution for a violation of § 42-8-45, the amount of alcohol in the defendant‘s blood at the time alleged as shown by chemical analysis of the defendant’s blood, breath, or other bodily substance gives rise to the following presumptions:
(1) If there was at that time five hundredths percent or less by weight of alcohol in the defendant’s blood, a presumption arises that the defendant was not under the influence of an alcoholic beverage;
Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 42-8-45.4
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- 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.
(2) If there was at that time in excess of five hundredths percent but less than eight hundredths percent by weight of alcohol in the defendant’s blood, such fact does not give rise to any presumption that the defendant was or was not under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, but such fact may be considered with other competent evidence in determining the guilt or innocence of the defendant; and
(3) If there was at that time eight hundredths percent or more by weight of alcohol in the defendant’s blood, a presumption arises that the defendant was under the influence of an alcoholic beverage.
Percent by weight of alcohol in the blood is based upon milligrams of alcohol per 1.0 cubic centimeter of whole blood or 2100 cubic centimeters of deep lung breath.
Source: SL 1992, ch 306, § 6; SL 2002, ch 160, § 6; SL 2012, ch 208, § 4.