South Dakota Criminal Records

This guide explains how to find South Dakota criminal records, arrest records, court records, inmate information, and the public sex offender registry, and how South Dakota's background-check and record-clearing laws work. It was last reviewed in June 2026 using official South Dakota sources, and it points you to the state and county agencies that hold each type of record. You can also start a name search using the tool on this page.

How do I look up a criminal record in South Dakota?

There are three realistic ways to find South Dakota criminal-record information:

• Official state background check through the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). South Dakota's DCI Identification Section processes fingerprint-based criminal history checks. A state-only personal check costs $30; a combined state-and-FBI check costs $50. You submit your request and pay online at backgroundcheck.sd.gov, then have your fingerprints taken electronically at a South Dakota LiveScan facility within 10 days. Details on the process are on the DCI background check requirements page.
• Court records through the Unified Judicial System (UJS). Individual case records are generally public. The statewide Public Access Record Search (PARS) costs $20 per search and covers criminal cases from 1989 to the present. Free docket summaries for many cases are available through the South Dakota eCourts portal. See the court-records question below for more detail.
• An online people-search tool like the one on this page, which compiles public-record data from many sources into one report. These tools are for personal knowledge only and are not a substitute for an official fingerprint-based check or an FCRA-compliant background check.

A fingerprint-based check is the only way to confirm a record truly belongs to a specific person; a name search alone can return matches that belong to someone else.

Are criminal records public in South Dakota?

It depends on the record type. The statewide criminal history maintained by the DCI is not freely open to the public in the same way some states allow: a fingerprint and fee are required to obtain a certified history. Court case records, however, are presumptively public. Anyone can search and view case docket information through the UJS PARS system or eCourts portal, and in-person at courthouse public-access terminals, without showing any special authorization. Records that have been sealed or expunged are withheld from public searches.

Are arrest records public in South Dakota?

Arrest records are generally public in South Dakota unless they have been expunged or sealed. The arresting agency, such as a city police department or county sheriff, maintains them. Many county sheriff offices publish online jail rosters showing recent bookings. An arrest record documents that someone was taken into custody; it is not proof of guilt or conviction. Under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), an arrest that did not lead to a conviction generally cannot be reported on an employment background check once it is more than seven years old.

How do I find court records in South Dakota?

South Dakota's court records are managed by the Unified Judicial System. There are two main online options:

• PARS (Public Access Record Search) at ujspars.sd.gov provides criminal case summaries from 1989 to the present for a $20 fee per search. The fee is charged when you submit the search whether or not records are found. You can pay per search with a credit card or set up a prepaid account.
• eCourts at ecourts.sd.gov provides free docket summaries showing party names, attorneys, filings, hearings, and case outcomes for many cases. Documents themselves are not available online through eCourts; to obtain copies you must visit a courthouse public-access terminal or contact the clerk of courts in the county where the case was filed.

Records before 1989 must be requested directly from the clerk of courts in the county where the case was filed. The UJS court records page is at ujs.sd.gov/cases-and-records/.

How do I look up warrants in South Dakota?

Warrants are issued by the courts but are tracked and served by county law enforcement. The best starting points are the county sheriff's office and the circuit court clerk in the county where a charge would be filed. Some counties publish active-warrant lists online. The statewide PARS system may also show outstanding warrant information tied to a court case. Active warrants can appear on third-party background reports, but the issuing county court is the authoritative source.

Do arrests show up on background checks in South Dakota?

For employment, tenant, and credit screening run through a consumer reporting agency, the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) applies. Under the FCRA, arrests that did not lead to a conviction generally cannot be reported once they are more than seven years old. South Dakota has no state law that adds stricter rules on top of the FCRA, so employers here follow the federal standard. Convictions can be reported indefinitely under federal law, unless the record has been expunged or sealed under South Dakota law (see below). If a record has been expunged, it does not appear in standard background checks and you are not required to disclose it.

How far back does a background check go in South Dakota?

South Dakota has no state law restricting how far back a background check can reach, so it follows federal FCRA rules. The FCRA limits consumer reporting agencies in the following ways:

• Arrests that did not lead to a conviction generally cannot be reported after seven years from the date of the arrest.
• Convictions can be reported indefinitely; there is no seven-year cap on reporting convictions under federal law.
• The seven-year limit on non-conviction records does not apply when the job pays $75,000 or more per year.

South Dakota's own expungement law (SDCL Chapter 23A-3) does automatically remove certain minor convictions and diversions from records over time, which would prevent those specific items from appearing even on an indefinite search (see the expungement question below).

How do I find someone in jail or prison in South Dakota?

It depends on where the person is held:

• State prison. Use the South Dakota DOC Offender Locator to search by name or DOC number for people in state correctional facilities. Results include the person's current location, incarceration dates, and custody status. The locator also covers some people on parole from state prison.
• SAVIN offender search. The South Dakota SAVIN portal (Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification), operated by the Attorney General's office, lets you search by offender name or court case number. It is free and also allows you to register for automatic notifications if an offender's custody status changes.
• County jail. People awaiting trial or serving shorter sentences are held in a county jail. Check that county sheriff's online inmate roster.
• Federal custody. For federal cases, use the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator instead.

How do I find out if someone is on probation or parole in South Dakota?

State parole is supervised by the South Dakota Department of Corrections, and a parolee's status may appear in the DOC Offender Locator or SAVIN portal. Probation is supervised locally through the circuit court that imposed the sentence. The sentencing court's case records (accessible through PARS or eCourts) are the best source for probation details. Probation allows a person to serve a sentence in the community under conditions set by the court instead of being incarcerated.

What are the felony classes in South Dakota?

South Dakota has nine felony classes under SDCL 22-6-1. From most to least severe:

• Class A felony: death or life imprisonment plus a fine up to $50,000. (Examples: first-degree murder.)
• Class B felony: mandatory life imprisonment plus a fine up to $50,000. No sentence shorter than life is possible.
• Class C felony: up to life imprisonment plus a fine up to $50,000.
• Class 1 felony: up to 50 years plus a fine up to $50,000.
• Class 2 felony: up to 25 years plus a fine up to $50,000.
• Class 3 felony: up to 15 years plus a fine up to $30,000.
• Class 4 felony: up to 10 years plus a fine up to $20,000.
• Class 5 felony: up to 5 years plus a fine up to $10,000.
• Class 6 felony: up to 2 years plus a fine up to $4,000. This is the lowest felony level and the most commonly charged.

All felony sentences are served in a state correctional facility, not a county jail. Exact sentences depend on the specific offense statute and a defendant's prior history.

What are the misdemeanor classes in South Dakota?

South Dakota has two misdemeanor classes under SDCL 22-6-2, both served in county jail:

• Class 1 misdemeanor: up to one year in county jail and/or a fine up to $2,000. Examples include first-offense DUI and simple assault.
• Class 2 misdemeanor: up to 30 days in county jail and/or a fine up to $500. This is the least serious criminal offense category.

South Dakota also recognizes petty offenses, which are civil in nature under state law and do not carry jail time. Routine speeding and minor traffic violations typically fall into the petty-offense or Class 2 misdemeanor category.

Are traffic violations crimes in South Dakota?

It depends on the offense. Most routine traffic infractions, such as a minor speeding ticket, are classified as petty offenses. Petty offenses are civil proceedings in South Dakota, not criminal offenses, and they generally do not create a criminal record or carry jail time. More serious traffic offenses such as driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, or driving with a suspended license are charged as Class 1 or Class 2 misdemeanors and do create a criminal record. A DUI can be elevated to a felony for repeat offenders or when serious bodily injury or death results.

Is the South Dakota sex offender registry public?

Yes. The South Dakota sex offender registry is publicly searchable for free at sor.sd.gov, maintained by the DCI under the Attorney General's office. The registry was established under 2006 legislation (SDCL Chapter 22-24B) and allows you to search by name, address, or neighborhood. Results include the registrant's photo, offense history, and registration compliance status. Misusing the registry information to harass or threaten a registrant is a Class 6 felony under South Dakota law.

Can someone be removed from the South Dakota sex offender registry?

South Dakota uses a three-tier registry system under SDCL 22-24B. Each tier has a different registration duration and eligibility for removal:

• Tier I: Minimum 10-year registration period. Eligible registrants may petition for removal after 10 years from their initial registration date, provided the offense did not involve a child under 13.
• Tier II: Minimum 25-year registration period. Eligible registrants may petition for removal after 25 years.
• Tier III: Lifetime registration. Tier III registrants verify their information every 90 days and generally cannot obtain relief except through a governor's pardon.

Eligibility depends on the specific offense and offense circumstances. An attorney should review a particular conviction before relying on any tier classification.

How do I clear or expunge my criminal record in South Dakota?

South Dakota's expungement law is found in SDCL Chapter 23A-3, sections 26 through 37. Key paths to clearing a record include:

• Arrests that did not result in charges or conviction. Under SDCL 23A-3-27, you may petition for expungement one year after an arrest if no charges were filed, one year after the prosecutor formally dismissed the case, or immediately after an acquittal (not guilty verdict).
• Diversion and suspended sentence completion. Under SDCL 23A-3-35 through 23A-3-37, if you successfully completed a diversion program or a suspended imposition of sentence (deferred adjudication), the court will automatically seal the record upon notice of completion, with no petition needed.
• Automatic expungement after 10 years. Under SDCL 23A-3-34, petty offenses, municipal ordinance violations, and Class 2 misdemeanor convictions are automatically expunged 10 years after final disposition, if that is the highest charge in the record and no new offenses occurred during that time.
• Petition-based expungement for other cases. Other charges may be expunged by filing a petition with the court (Form UJS-391). The court weighs the ends of justice and public interest before granting the order. The current filing fee is $72 (which may be waived for those who cannot afford it).

The UJS self-help expungement page at ujs.sd.gov/self-help/civil-law-help/expungement/ provides instructions and downloadable forms. Expungement under South Dakota law means the records are sealed from public access, not physically destroyed.

Do I need a lawyer to expunge my record in South Dakota?

You are not required to hire a lawyer. The UJS publishes step-by-step instructions, a Guide and File system that generates completed forms from your answers, and the required forms (UJS-391 through UJS-395). Many arrests and diversions qualify for automatic sealing with no action needed at all. That said, the eligibility rules under SDCL Chapter 23A-3 are detailed, particularly for felonies and offenses involving victims, so consulting an attorney or a free legal-aid clinic is worthwhile if you are unsure whether you qualify or if your case involves a serious offense.

What crimes can be expunged in South Dakota?

Broadly, the following categories are eligible for some form of expungement or sealing in South Dakota:

• Arrests with no charges filed, cases dismissed, or acquittals (SDCL 23A-3-27).
• Successful diversion program completions and suspended imposition of sentence (deferred adjudication), available for any misdemeanor and for felonies except those punishable by death or life imprisonment and rape (SDCL 23A-3-35 through 23A-3-37).
• Petty offenses, ordinance violations, and Class 2 misdemeanor convictions after 10 years automatically (SDCL 23A-3-34).

Class A, B, and C felonies (the most serious, carrying life imprisonment or death) are generally not eligible for expungement by petition. Sexual offenses and cases involving minor victims face additional restrictions. A conviction that has been expunged does not need to be disclosed on most private-employer applications.

How long does a felony stay on your record in South Dakota?

A South Dakota felony conviction stays on your record permanently unless you obtain relief. There is no automatic time-based deletion of a felony conviction from the state's criminal history. The seven-year reporting window under the federal FCRA limits what a consumer reporting agency may report for certain non-conviction items; it does not erase the underlying conviction record itself. If you believe your felony qualifies for a suspended imposition of sentence completion seal or another form of relief, consult an attorney or the UJS self-help resources.

Are juvenile criminal records private in South Dakota?

Juvenile court records and proceedings in South Dakota are confidential under SDCL 26-7A-120, available only to the court, the juvenile, parents, attorneys, and other parties specifically authorized by court order. They do not appear in routine background checks. There is one important exception: under SDCL 26-7A-36, all pleadings and hearings for juveniles aged 16 or older who are charged with crimes of violence or drug offenses become a matter of public record. Juvenile delinquency records that remain confidential may be sealed by court order one year after the youth is released from the court's jurisdiction or discharged from the DOC, whichever is later (SDCL 26-7A-115), as long as there are no subsequent adjudications and no pending charges.

Minnehaha County criminal records

Minnehaha County is South Dakota's most populous county, home to Sioux Falls and roughly 212,000 residents, accounting for more than one-fifth of the state's entire population. Criminal cases filed in Minnehaha County are part of the Second Judicial Circuit and can be searched through the statewide PARS system ($20 per search) or the free eCourts docket portal. To request specific case documents, contact the Minnehaha County clerk of courts in Sioux Falls in person or by mail. The Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office also publishes information on sex offenders registered in the county at its official website.

Official South Dakota criminal record sources

• South Dakota DCI Background Check Portal - submit a fingerprint-based criminal history request ($30 state only, $50 state + FBI).
• DCI Background Check Requirements - official instructions and fee schedule from the Attorney General's office.
• South Dakota PARS Court Search - statewide public criminal case summary search ($20 per search, 1989-present).
• South Dakota eCourts - free docket summaries for court cases statewide.
• UJS Court Records & Access - overview of all court record access options from the Unified Judicial System.
• South Dakota Sex Offender Registry - free public registry search by name or location, maintained by the DCI.
• South Dakota DOC Offender Locator - find people in state prison or on parole by name or DOC number.
• South Dakota SAVIN Offender Search - free offender and custody status search with notification signup.
• UJS Expungement Self-Help - forms, instructions, and a guided filing tool for record-clearing in South Dakota.
• SDCL 22-6-1 (Felony classes and penalties) - the statute defining South Dakota's nine felony classes.

Disclosure: criminal.com may earn a commission when you use the people-search tool on this page, which is powered by a third-party background-check service. Results from such tools are for your personal knowledge only and may not be used to make decisions about employment, housing, credit, tenant screening, or any other purpose covered by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). An arrest record or mugshot is not proof of guilt. This page is general information about South Dakota public records, not legal advice; for advice about your situation, consult an attorney. Information was last reviewed in June 2026 and laws may change.