South Dakota § 19-19-611 Mode and order of examining witnesses and presenting evidence.

South Dakota Statutes

§ 19-19-611 — Mode and order of examining witnesses and presenting evidence.

South Dakota § 19-19-611

Title 19EVIDENCE

Ch. 19-18SOUTH DAKOTA RULES OF EVIDENCE

This text of South Dakota § 19-19-611 (Mode and order of examining witnesses and presenting evidence.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering South Dakota primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

S.D. Codified Laws § 19-19-611 (2026).

Text

(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)

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

(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) When a party calls a hostile witness, an adverse party, or a witness identified with an adverse party.