South Dakota Statutes
§ 19-19-611 — Mode and order of examining witnesses and presenting evidence.
(a)Control by the court; purposes. The court should exercise reasonable control over the mode and order of examining witnesses and presenting evidence so as to:
(1)Make those procedures effective for determining the truth;
(2)Avoid wasting time; and (3) Protect witnesses from harassment or undue embarrassment.
(b)Scope of cross-examination. Cross-examination should not go beyond the subject matter of the direct examination and matters affecting the witness's credibility. The court may allow inquiry into additional matters as if on direct examination.
(c)Leading questions. Leading questions should not be used on direct examination except as necessary to develop the witness's testimony. Ordinarily, the court should allow leading questions:
(1)On cross-examination; and (2)
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South Dakota § 19-19-611 (Mode and order of examining witnesses and presenting evidence.) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.
Related
Nicolay v. Stukel
2017 SD 45 (South Dakota Supreme Court, 2017)
State v. Quinones Rodriguez
952 N.W.2d 244 (South Dakota Supreme Court, 2020)
Fiechtner v. American West Ins.
2025 S.D. 60 (South Dakota Supreme Court, 2025)
Legislative History
SL 1979, ch 358 (Supreme Court Rule 78-2, Rule 611); SDCL §§
Nearby Sections
15
§ 19-1-1
Repealed§ 19-1-3
Attorney as witness.§ 19-1-4
Repealed§ 19-11-1
§ 19-11-1§ 19-12-1
§ 19-12-1§ 19-12-10
§ 19-12-10§ 19-12-11
§ 19-12-11§ 19-12-12
§ 19-12-12§ 19-12-13
§ 19-12-13§ 19-12-14
§ 19-12-14§ 19-12-15
§ 19-12-15§ 19-12-2
§ 19-12-2§ 19-12-3
§ 19-12-3§ 19-12-4
, 19-12-5§ 19-12-6
, 19-12-7