S.D. Codified Laws § 23A-7-2 (2026)
(Rule 11(a)) Pleas permitted to defendant--Requirements for plea of guilty or nolo contendere.
Supreme Court Rule 389, 1939; SDC 1939 & Supp 1960, § 34.3520; SDCL, § 23-35-16; SL 1978, ch 178 , § 92; SL 1980, ch 179 , § 1; SL 1983, ch 174 , § 5.
A defendant may plead:
- (1) Not guilty;
- (2) Not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity;
- (3) Guilty;
- (4) Nolo contendere; or
- (5) Guilty but mentally ill. Except as otherwise specifically provided, a plea of guilty or nolo contendere can only be entered by a defendant himself in open court. If a defendant refuses to plead, or if the court refuses to accept a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, the court shall enter a plea of not guilty. The court may not enter a judgment unless it is satisfied that there is a factual basis for any plea except a plea of nolo contendere.
Source: Supreme Court Rule 389, 1939; SDC 1939 & Supp 1960, § 34.3520; SDCL, § 23-35-16; SL 1978, ch 178 , § 92; SL 1980, ch 179 , § 1; SL 1983, ch 174 , § 5.