#30461, #30462-a-SRJ 2024 S.D. 70
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA
****
STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA, Plaintiff and Appellee,
v.
ZACHARY C. DIETZ, Defendant and Appellant.
APPEAL FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT LINCOLN COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA
THE HONORABLE RACHEL R. RASMUSSEN Judge
MANUEL J. DE CASTRO, JR. Sioux Falls, South Dakota Attorney for defendant and appellant.
MARTY J. JACKLEY Attorney General
STEPHEN G. GEMAR Assistant Attorney General Pierre, South Dakota Attorneys for plaintiff and appellee.
CONSIDERED ON BRIEFS AUGUST 27, 2024 OPINION FILED 11/26/24 #30461, #30462
JENSEN, Chief Justice
[¶1.] Zachary C. Dietz pleaded guilty to two counts of counterfeiting lottery
tickets in two separate files. The circuit court imposed five-year suspended
sentences on each conviction. Subsequently, the State filed petitions seeking to
revoke Dietz’s suspended sentences for alleged violations of the terms of his
probation. Dietz admitted to the violations and the court entered orders executing
the entire five-year sentence on one of the convictions and leaving the five-year
sentence suspended on the other. 1 Deitz separately appealed the orders arguing
that the circuit court erred by failing to find aggravating circumstances before
revoking the suspended sentences. The State challenges this Court’s jurisdiction to
hear the appeal. We consolidate the appeals and affirm.
Factual and Procedural Background
[¶2.] On November 9, 2020, an indictment was filed (File No. 20-912) in
Lincoln County, South Dakota, charging Dietz with counterfeiting lottery tickets in
violation of SDCL 42-7A-30. A part II habitual offender information was also filed
pursuant to SDCL 22-7-7. Deitz was arraigned on the charge, entered a not guilty
plea, and a trial date was set. Meanwhile, on February 3, 2021, a second
1. The dispositional orders entered by the court following the revocation proceedings were entitled “Judgment and Sentence Revoking Suspended Sentence.” Irrespective of the title used, the substance of the documents reflect they are orders revoking the suspended execution of sentence entered following the original convictions. Similarly, while not titled a judgment and sentence, the orders for suspended execution of sentence dated June 16, 2021, are the judgments of conviction. See Rapid City Journal v. Callahan, 2022 S.D. 38, ¶ 5 n.1, 977 N.W.2d 742, 745 n.1 (noting that an order suspending the imposition of a sentence was improperly designated as a “judgment”); see also Huls v. Meyer, 2020 S.D. 24, ¶ 14, 943 N.W.2d 340, 344 (“[This Court] examine[s] the substance of the circuit court’s order over its designation[.]”).
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indictment (File No. 21-116) was filed in Lincoln County, charging Dietz with a
second count of counterfeiting lottery tickets in violation of SDCL 42-7A-30. A part
II information was also filed.
[¶3.] Dietz failed to appear for trial in File No. 20-912 and a bench warrant
was issued for his arrest. Following his arrest, Dietz entered a not guilty plea to the
charge in File No. 21-116. Dietz subsequently entered pleas of guilty to both
charges of counterfeiting lottery tickets. Dietz also admitted to the prior felony
conviction alleged in each part II information.
[¶4.] The circuit court imposed five-year suspended sentences on the
condition that Dietz successfully complete four years of supervised probation. The
court ordered the sentences to run consecutively and entered written judgments of
conviction in each file on June 16, 2021. Dietz did not appeal either conviction.
[¶5.] On January 24, 2022, the State filed petitions for revocation of Deitz’s
suspended sentence. The petitions included the following alleged violations: failing
to obtain permission from his court services officer before changing his residence;
failing to attend all appointments with court services; failing to refrain from
consuming alcohol; failing to refrain from possessing or consuming controlled
substances; failing to submit to urinalysis testing when directed; and failing to pay
for the required testing.
[¶6.] Not long after, Dietz was arrested, made an initial appearance, and
was released on bond. The State then filed a motion to revoke bond, alleging Dietz
violated the conditions of his release and absconded from probation. Amended
revocation petitions were filed on March 24, 2023. The amended petitions alleged
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Dietz violated his probation conditions by not attending appointments with his
court services officer, failing to complete treatment, and absconding from probation.
The amended petitions also alleged that Dietz had engaged in a pursuit with the
Minnesota Highway Patrol, resulting in new criminal charges, including possession
of marijuana and fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle.
[¶7.] Dietz admitted to the violations alleged in the amended petitions.
After hearing arguments from counsel and comments from Dietz, the circuit court
executed the entire five-year penitentiary sentence in File No. 20-912. In File No.
21-116, the court ordered that the five-year sentence would remain suspended. The
sentences were again ordered to run consecutively. A dispositional order was filed
in each case on September 4, 2023.
[¶8.] Dietz appealed the orders following the revocation proceeding. On
appeal, Dietz argues that the circuit court erred by executing the prison sentence on
a presumptive probation offense without a finding of aggravating circumstances
that pose a significant risk to the public as required under SDCL 22-6-11. The
State, in its brief, raises a threshold issue of whether this Court has jurisdiction to
hear an appeal from an order or judgment revoking a suspended execution of
sentence.
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Analysis and Decision
1. Whether this Court has jurisdiction to review an appeal from an order or judgment revoking a suspended execution of sentence. [¶9.] The State challenges the Court’s jurisdiction to hear an appeal from an
order revoking a suspended execution of sentence. Dietz argues that this Court has
appellate jurisdiction to consider this appeal under SDCL 15-26A-3, without
identifying a specific subsection under which an order revoking probation is
reviewable. Dietz also cites State v. Stenstrom, where this Court affirmatively
stated, without discussion, that we “have appellate jurisdiction over the circuit
court’s decision to revoke the suspension of execution of [a] sentence.” 2017 S.D. 61,
¶ 16, 902 N.W.2d 787, 791.
[¶10.] The State contends that SDCL 15-26A-3 only applies to appeals from
civil proceedings. See SDCL 15-26A-1 (“This chapter shall govern procedure in civil
appeals to the Supreme Court of South Dakota.”). Further, the State maintains
that neither the Legislature nor the Court has identified a subsection within SDCL
15-26A-3 that grants the Court jurisdiction of an appeal from an order revoking a
suspended sentence. The State contends that Deitz had thirty days after the
judgments of conviction to appeal the sentences imposed therein pursuant to SDCL
23A-32-2 and SDCL 23A-32-15. Relying on State v. Edelman, the State argues
SDCL chapter 23A-32 does not provide jurisdiction to appeal from a revocation
order entered more than thirty days after the final judgment of conviction. 2022
S.D. 7, ¶ 11, 970 N.W.2d 239, 242 (holding that SDCL 23A-32-2 did not afford the
defendant the right to appeal a post-conviction order denying a motion to modify
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sentence when he did not timely appeal the sentence imposed in the original
judgment within thirty days).
[¶11.] This Court has acknowledged its jurisdiction to consider appeals from
a circuit court’s order revoking a suspended execution of sentence under SDCL 15-
26A-3 in two recent decisions. See State v. Kari, 2021 S.D. 33, ¶ 26, 960 N.W.2d
614, 620 (explaining that “appeals under SDCL 15-26A-3 must be from judgments
or orders from the circuit court” therefore, this Court did “not have statutory
authority to exercise appellate jurisdiction to directly review” an order of
termination from a DUI court); Stenstrom, 2017 S.D. 61, ¶¶ 15–16, 902 N.W.2d at
791 (recognizing this Court’s appellate jurisdiction under SDCL 15-26A-3 to review
a circuit court’s decision to revoke a suspended sentence but not the actions of a
drug court via an appeal of a circuit court’s order to revoke a suspended sentence).
Neither Kari nor Stenstrom involved a challenge to this Court’s appellate
jurisdiction to review an order revoking a suspended execution of sentence by the
circuit court and we did not identify the statutory basis for jurisdiction, within
SDCL 15-26A-3 or elsewhere, to consider an appeal from such an order. We now
take this opportunity to express the statutory basis for our appellate jurisdiction to
review an order revoking a suspended execution of sentence.
[¶12.] This Court has long recognized that “[a] probation revocation
proceeding is not a criminal prosecution.” State v. Divan, 2006 S.D. 105, ¶ 7, 724
N.W.2d 865, 869 (citing State v. Short Horn, 427 N.W.2d 361, 362 (S.D. 1988)). See
also State v. Herrlein, 424 N.W.2d 376, 377 (S.D. 1988); State v. Martin, 368 N.W.2d
37, 39 (S.D. 1985); State v. Burkman, 281 N.W.2d 442, 443 (S.D. 1979). In at least
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one decision, we categorized probation revocation proceedings as “civil proceedings.”
State v. Olson, 305 N.W.2d 852, 853 (S.D. 1981) (“This Court . . . has recognized that
revocation proceedings are not criminal prosecutions. Instead, they are civil
proceedings.”). The recognition that a probation revocation proceeding is distinct
from a criminal prosecution is also consistent with the separate grant of jurisdiction
from the Legislature to the circuit courts “to revoke . . . probation or suspended
execution of sentence for violation of its terms and conditions.” SDCL 23A-27-18.5.
[¶13.] Because probation revocation proceedings are separate and distinct
from a criminal prosecution, SDCL chapter 23A-32, governing appeals from
criminal proceedings, has no application to the appeal from an order revoking
probation entered following a judgment of conviction. 2 Therefore, this Court’s
jurisdiction to consider appeals from a revocation order cannot be sourced to SDCL
23A-32-2’s authority to review a “final judgment of conviction.” 3
2. In State v. Elder, 95 N.W.2d 592, 593 (S.D. 1959), the Court found appellate jurisdiction from an order revoking probation and imposing sentence after the circuit court had originally imposed a suspended imposition of sentence and placed the defendant on probation. Because a judgment of conviction had not previously been entered, Elder characterized the later order revoking probation and imposing sentence as a final judgment of conviction. In contrast, in State v. Brassfield, 2000 S.D. 110, ¶ 8, 615 N.W.2d 628, 631, this Court concluded that the initial order suspending the imposition of sentence is a final and appealable order under SDCL 23A-32-2. We need not reconcile Elder and Brassfield since the appeal here is from a suspended execution of sentence, rather than a suspended imposition of sentence.
3. Our determination that probation revocation proceedings are separate and distinct from a criminal prosecution and the appeal process in SDCL chapter 23A-32 reinforces our prior holdings that an order revoking probation cannot be used to attack the underlying conviction. See State v. Reif, 490 N.W.2d 511, 513 (S.D. 1992).
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[¶14.] We have recognized in other contexts that special proceedings, which
arise from, but are ancillary to the criminal prosecution, are appealable as a matter
of right under the plain language of SDCL 15-26A-3(4). See e.g., State v. Wendland,
2024 S.D. 44, ¶ 5, 10 N.W.3d 229, 232 (“[W]e conclude a right to appeal a forfeiture
and default order of a surety bond emanates from SDCL 15-26A-3(4)[.]”); In re
Essential Witness, 2018 S.D. 16, ¶ 11, 908 N.W.2d 160, 165 (determining a
proceeding to summon a witness for an out-of-state criminal case is a civil
proceeding for appeal purposes, giving this Court jurisdiction under SDCL 15-26A-
3(4)); State v. Waldner, 2024 S.D. 67, ¶ 31, ___ N.W.3d ___ (concluding there was a
right to appeal under SDCL 15-26A-3(4) from an order denying a victim’s motion to
quash); In re Implicated Individual, 2021 S.D. 61, ¶ 10 n.7, 966 N.W.2d 578, 582 n.7
(finding appellate jurisdiction from a ruling unsealing a search warrant as an
appeal of a final order affecting a substantial right made in a special proceeding
under SDCL 15-26A-3(4)); State v. Kieffer, 187 N.W. 164, 166 (S.D. 1922) (holding
that a search warrant proceeding is not a criminal action and is instead a special
proceeding appealable under what is now SDCL 15-26A-3(4)).
[¶15.] SDCL 15-26A-3(4) provides for a right of appeal to the Supreme Court
from “[a]ny final order affecting a substantial right, made in special proceedings, or
upon a summary application in an action after judgment[.]” We have consistently
interpreted this subsection to provide appellate jurisdiction from special
proceedings that are ancillary to and separate from a criminal proceeding.
[¶16.] A revocation proceeding does not afford the defendant the opportunity
to re-litigate the issues of guilt and punishment associated with the original offense.
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Instead, a revocation proceeding is intended to address allegations that an
individual has not complied with the conditions of probation and the enforcement of
the suspended sentence because of any noncompliance. See Reif, 490 N.W.2d at 513
(“In a revocation proceeding, a constitutional attack on the underlying charge is
without merit because the proceeding relates to whether or not the terms of
probation have been violated.”). Therefore, a revocation proceeding is a special
proceeding that is neither a criminal proceeding, nor an ordinary proceeding. See
SDCL 15-1-1 (defining an ordinary proceeding as an action “by which a party
prosecutes another party for . . . the punishment of a public offense[,]” and a special
proceeding as “[e]very other remedy[.]”).
[¶17.] Given our long-standing recognition that probation revocation
proceedings are ancillary to criminal proceedings and our categorization of the
proceedings as civil in nature, we conclude that an appeal from a final order
revoking a suspended execution of sentence falls within the ambit of SDCL 15-26A-
3(4) providing for appellate jurisdiction in “special proceedings” affecting a
substantial right. Further, there is no dispute that a circuit court’s order revoking a
suspended execution of sentence is a final order for the purpose of SDCL 15-26A-
3(4) and the revocation of a suspended execution of sentence affects a substantial
right. As established in State v. Christian, “[t]he Due Process Clause of the
Fourteenth Amendment imposes procedural and substantive limits on the
revocation of the conditional liberty created by probation.” 1999 S.D. 4, ¶ 15, 588
N.W.2d 881, 883 (quoting Black v. Romano, 471 U.S. 606, 610, 105 S. Ct. 2254,
2257, 85 L. Ed. 2d 636, 642 (1985)).
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[¶18.] Accordingly, a right to appeal an order revoking a suspended execution
of sentence exists under SDCL 15-26A-3(4), as such an order qualifies as a “final
order affecting a substantial right, made in special proceedings, or upon summary
application in an action after judgment[.]”
2. Whether the presumption of probation in SDCL 22-6- 11 for certain Class 5 and Class 6 felonies applies to a probation revocation proceeding. [¶19.] “[I]t is well settled that we review a circuit court’s decision to revoke a
suspended sentence for an abuse of discretion[.]” Kari, 2021 S.D. 33, ¶ 24, 960
N.W.2d at 619. However, this appeal asks the Court to consider the applicability of
SDCL 22-6-11 to a circuit court’s decision to revoke probation and enforce a
previously suspended sentence, a question which we review de novo. State v. Rus,
2021 S.D. 14, ¶ 11, 956 N.W.2d 455, 457–58 (“Statutory interpretation and
application are questions of law, and are reviewed by this Court under the de novo
standard of review.”).
[¶20.] Dietz argues that the circuit court erred by revoking probation and
imposing a prison sentence for presumptive probation offenses without finding
aggravating circumstances that pose a significant risk to the public as required by
SDCL 22-6-11. Because the court did not state aggravating circumstances on the
record during the probation revocation hearing, or in the written disposition, he
argues the disposition should be vacated and the case remanded for a determination
of aggravating circumstances. 4 The State asserts that the court did not err by
4. Notably, the circuit court only revoked the suspended sentence in File No. 20- 912. In File No. 21-116, a finding of aggravating circumstances would have (continued . . .) -9- #30461, #30462
failing to list aggravating factors when it revoked Dietz’s probation and left his
other suspended sentence intact because the requirement to state aggravating
circumstances under SDCL 22-6-11 applies only at the time of the original
sentencing.
[¶21.] “In conducting statutory interpretation, we give words their plain
meaning and effect, and read statutes as a whole.” State v. Long Soldier, 2023 S.D.
37, ¶ 11, 994 N.W.2d 212, 217 (quoting State v. Bettelyoun, 2022 S.D. 14, ¶ 24, 972
N.W.2d 124, 131). “When the language in a statute is clear, certain and
unambiguous, there is no reason for construction, and the Court’s only function is to
declare the meaning of the statute as clearly expressed.” Id. (citation omitted).
[¶22.] Applying these principles of statutory interpretation to the case at
hand, the language of SDCL 22-6-11 is clear and unambiguous in its application to
the “sentencing court” in requiring the court to “sentence an offender” convicted of
certain offenses to “a term of probation” unless “aggravating circumstances exist
that pose a significant risk to the public[.]” The statute further instructs that “[i]f a
departure is made, the judge must state the aggravating circumstances on the
record at the time of sentencing[.]” SDCL 22-6-11 (emphasis added). The “clear,
certain and unambiguous” meaning of SDCL 22-6-11’s use of “sentence” and
“sentencing” can only refer to the original sentencing determination. See Long
________________________ (. . . continued) been unnecessary in any event because the circuit court once again imposed a fully suspended five-year sentence.
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Soldier, 2023 S.D. 37, ¶ 11, 994 N.W.2d at 217. The temporal focus of SDCL 22-6-
11 is precise in its application to sentencing. 5
[¶23.] Further, the statute does not create any continuing presumption of
probation if the offender violates a condition of probation during the “term of
probation[.]” The text of SDCL 22-6-11 makes clear that the presumptive sentence
limitation on the court’s discretion extends only to the original sentencing
determination and not to probation revocation proceedings. Additionally, other
statutes provide that a court may revoke a suspended sentence for probation
violations without restriction. See SDCL 23A-27-18.5 (“Any court granting
probation or a suspended execution of sentence retains jurisdiction to revoke the
probation or suspended execution of sentence for violation of its terms and
conditions.”); SDCL 23A-27-13 (“A court may revoke such [suspended imposition of
sentence] at any time during the probationary period and impose and execute
sentence[.]”). 6
5. Deitz argues that the requirement for the court to state the aggravating circumstances “at the time of sentencing and in the dispositional order” supports a broader reading of the statute that encompasses probation revocation proceedings. (emphasis added). However, in absence of any language showing a legislative intention to extend the presumption of probation beyond the time of sentencing, we decline to read the language “dispositional order” to mean anything other than a general reference to the document memorializing the sentence.
6. Moreover, reading SDCL 22-6-11 in its entirety demonstrates that it is not suited to a probation revocation proceeding because it contemplates the potential for an alternative presumptive sentence that could arise only one time—at the sentencing. For defendants who are under the supervision of the Department of Corrections (DOC), the presumptive sentence is not probation under the court’s supervision but, rather, a fully suspended prison sentence. See State v. Humpal, 2017 S.D. 82, ¶ 13, 905 N.W.2d 117, 121 (continued . . .) -11- #30461, #30462
[¶24.] Dietz’s reliance on SDCL 22-6-11 is misplaced, as the statute is limited
to a presumption of probation “at the time of sentencing.” Accordingly, the circuit
court did not err, and there is no basis to vacate the disposition or remand the case
to consider aggravating circumstances.
[¶25.] We affirm.
[¶26.] KERN, SALTER, DEVANEY, and MYREN, Justices, concur.
________________________ (. . . continued) (quoting State v. Orr, 2015 S.D. 89, ¶ 10, 871 N.W.2d 834, 838) (holding “probation is not available for those defendants that are incarcerated in the penitentiary or on parole”). A defendant who receives one of these presumptive fully suspended prison sentences remains under the supervision of the DOC and, in the event of a violation of the terms of that suspended sentence, could not claim the presumption afforded by SDCL 22-6-11 in the circuit court. See Orr, 2015 S.D. 89, ¶ 10, 871 N.W.2d at 838 (“Once an offender is within the jurisdiction of the executive branch of government, the judicial branch—the circuit court—loses jurisdiction and control.” (citation omitted)).
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