§ 19-19-605

S.D. Codified Laws § 19-19-605 (2026)

Judge's competency as a witness.

SL 1979, ch 358 (Supreme Court Rule 78-2, Rule 605); SDCL § 19-14-5 ; SL 2016, ch 239 (Supreme Court Rule 15-38 ), eff. Jan. 1, 2016.

The presiding judge may not testify as a witness at the trial. A party need not object to preserve the issue.

Source: SL 1979, ch 358 (Supreme Court Rule 78-2, Rule 605); SDCL § 19-14-5 ; SL 2016, ch 239 (Supreme Court Rule 15-38 ), eff. Jan. 1, 2016.