§ 23A-25-5 — Officers sworn to protect privacy of jury--Overnight sequestration or separation--Prevention of communication--Return to court on reaching verdict.

Before the jurors retire for deliberation, one or more officers shall be sworn to keep the jurors together in some private and convenient place, with such suitable food and drink as the court shall direct. The court may, in its discretion, either sequester the jurors during the adjournment of court overnight, under supervision of such officers, or allow the jurors to separate overnight during the adjournment of the court without supervision after proper admonishment. While supervising the jurors, the officers may not permit any person (including themselves) to communicate with the jurors or to ask whether the jurors have agreed upon a verdict except by order of court. The officers shall return the jurors into court when the jury has agreed upon a verdict.

Legislative History

SDC 1939, § 34.3652; SL 1955, ch 130; SDCL, § 23-43-46; SL 1978, ch 178, § 312; SL 2003, ch 135, § 1.