In South Dakota, drivers face a DUI conviction when they have a blood alcohol content of .08 or more. For underage drinkers, that level drops to .02, and commercial drivers have a limit of .04. The penalties for DUI offenders are severe and can impact your personal...
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Understanding Minor in Possession Laws
In South Dakota, it is illegal for anyone under age 21 to possess or consume alcohol. Young adults leaving home for the first time to attend college often push boundaries, including drinking excessively, as they explore their independence while living on campus. With...
Selling alcohol to underage customers
If you run a liquor store, it is important that you pay attention to every customer's age when you make a sale. Selling alcohol to an underage person can not only affect your liquor license, but it can also land you with hefty fines and jail time. Refusing business...
3 consequences college students may face after a criminal conviction
Most parents hope their college-age kids do not get in trouble with the law. However, alcohol and lack of supervision can sometimes lead to criminal mischief. Trouble with the law can have consequences for your child's school career. 1. Expulsion from school Most...
What qualifies as domestic abuse?
Domestic violence is still a problem in modern society. Stamping out such destructive behavior requires recognizing it when we see it. We are sometimes unaware it is happening because abuse takes many forms. Recognition improves when we understand the types of...
Is it a crime to change price tags?
The cost of living has increased significantly over the past year. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the price of a home-cooked meal is now almost 2% more expensive than it was just one year ago. If you want to eat in a restaurant, you can...
What to know about being stopped for DUI in South Dakota
Every state in America has drunk driving laws, yet the specifics widely differ in each. Rules about blood alcohol levels, for instance, vary greatly. Knowing the laws that apply to South Dakota can be helpful for resident drivers. Having such information can make a...
When do officers have to advise you of your legal rights?
If officers suspect you have committed some type of crime, there is a good chance they want to talk to you. To arrange a meeting, they may either put you in handcuffs or ask you to come to the police station for an interview. You may have seen television cop shows...
What is the difference between robbery, theft and burglary?
Stealing items from a place or person is a crime categorized in many different ways. Depending on the circumstances behind the theft, a person accused of stealing may face one or more of several types of charges. Robbery, theft and burglary are all different...
Avoid these three mistakes if stopped by the police
Traffic stops happen. Maybe you were driving too fast, missed a stop sign, or changed lanes without signaling. Whatever the reason for the stop, it is important to act wisely so it does not escalate and result in additional criminal charges. Mistake #1: Not stopping....