Protecting Your Rights. Defending Your Freedom.
If you are facing criminal charges and the police tell you they have a witness, you would be right to worry. Witness accounts have helped secure prosecutions for many crimes. The problem is that people can place too much faith in them and forget that not all witnesses...
Consent can be a key issue in many sex crime cases where the alleged victim and alleged attacker know each other. A court will make a judgment about whether or not the alleged victim gave their consent. If a court decides they did not give their consent, it will...
If you visit family this Christmas, you might be worried about drinking and driving. You want to enjoy your time and share some alcoholic drinks. Yet you also know you’ll need to drive home at some point. Hence you may consider buying a personal breathalyzer so you...
When a South Dakota prosecutor brings charges against someone for a violent offense, the assumption is that the person accused acted with the intention to harm another person. Intent is key in many kinds of violent criminal cases, such as situations leading to assault...
It's no secret that bar fights happen from time to time. But what happens when things get out of hand, and someone gets hurt? Can the person who threw the first punch be charged with aggravated assault? What constitutes an aggravated assault charge, and when might it...
Marijuana use has become more commonplace and socially acceptable in recent years, and state legislatures have had a hard time keeping up with changing behaviors. When it comes to alcohol, it is illegal to drive while visibly impaired or when your blood alcohol...
Driving under the influence (DUI) convictions can get costly with court fees, fines, and mandatory interlock installations. These are a few of the typical expenses when facing a DUI charge. However, in South Dakota, a DUI can dig much deeper into your pockets than you...
A breath test can be administered by the police to see if someone’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is over the legal limit. For the majority of drivers, this legal limit is 0.08% BAC. Officers can sometimes use portable breath test devices or a Breathalyzer at the...
Those accused of driving under the influence (DUI) offenses in South Dakota will face multiple possible criminal penalties if they plead guilty or the courts convict them. A judge can sentence them to incarceration in state facilities or probation. The defendant may...
In South Dakota, when a minor is found in possession of alcohol or drugs, they may face a “minor in possession” charge. Also referred to as MIP laws, these outline what happens if minors are found in this situation. Learning more about MIP laws and the potential...