CHAPTER 149

(HB 1094)

Admonishment of jurors.

         ENTITLED, An Act to  specify the admonishment of jurors during court adjournments.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:

     Section  1.  That § 23A-24-5 be amended to read as follows:

     23A-24-5.   Jurors must also shall , at each adjournment of court, whether permitted to separate or kept in charge of officers, be admonished by the court that it is their duty not to converse, among themselves or with anyone else, on any subject connected with the trial, or to form or express any opinion thereon, until the case is finally submitted to them as follows: You are reminded that you are not to discuss any aspect of this case among yourselves or with anyone else and that you should not form or express any opinion on the case until it is given to you for decision .

     Section  2.  That § 15-14-12 be amended to read as follows:

     15-14-12.   Whenever the jurors are permitted to separate , they shall be admonished by the court that it is their duty not to converse with, or suffer themselves to be addressed by any other person

on any subject of the trial, and that it is their duty not to form or express any opinion thereon until the case is finally submitted to them as follows: You are reminded that you are not to discuss any aspect of this case among yourselves or with anyone else and that you should not form or express any opinion on the case until it is given to you for decision .

     Signed February 1, 2007

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