A court may direct that not more than six jurors in addition to the regular jury members be called and impaneled to sit as alternate jurors. Alternate jurors, in the order in which they were called, shall replace jurors who, prior to the time the jury retires to consider its verdict, become or are found to be disqualified, discharged, or unable to perform their duties. Alternate jurors shall be drawn at the same time and in the same manner, shall have the same qualifications, shall be subject to the same examination and challenges, shall take the same oath and shall have the same functions, powers, facilities, and privileges as regular jurors. An alternate juror who does not replace a regular juror shall be discharged after the jury retires to consider its verdict.
S.D. Codified Laws § 23A-20-28
(Rule 24(c)) Impaneling of alternate jurors--Replacement of regular jurors--Qualifications and oaths
Applied in 1 court decision — leading case State v. Nelson (1998)
Most recently applied in State v. Nelson (December 1998)
Source: SL 1923, ch 150; SL 1929, ch 100; SDC 1939 & Supp 1960, § 34.3607; SL 1963, ch 227; SDCL, §§ 23-43-21, 23-43-22; SL 1978, ch 178, § 259; SL 1979, ch 159, § 49.
Official source: South Dakota Legislature. Reproduced from public-domain South Dakota statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.