S.D. Codified Laws § 7-16A-5 (2026)
The advisory committee shall appoint and dismiss the public defender. To be appointed, a person shall be licensed to practice law in this state, be competent to counsel and defend a person charged with a crime, and have basic knowledge of, and experience in, criminal law.
Source: SL 1978, ch 152 , §§ 3, 4; SL 1983, ch 45 , § 2.