A person commits the criminal offense (crime) of theft—also known as stealing—by unlawfully taking or appropriating the property of another person or entity with the intent to deprive the owner of the property.
Taking or appropriating property is generally unlawful if it is done without the owner's effective consent—for example, if the property was taken by threat, deception, or extortion.
In South Dakota, theft is defined under SDCL 22-30A-1 and is considered a criminal offense when a person unlawfully takes or exercises unauthorized control over the property of another with the intent to deprive the owner of their property. This includes situations where the property is taken without the owner's effective consent, which can occur through means such as threat, deception, or extortion. The severity of the theft charge in South Dakota can range from a Class 2 misdemeanor for theft of property valued at $400 or less, to a Class 4 felony for theft of property valued over $1,000, with various levels of charges for values in between. Enhanced penalties may apply for repeat offenses or for theft involving certain types of property or victims.