SDCL § 23-1A-11: Written promise to appear--Admission and deposit--Immediate hearing if alternatives refused--Violation of promise to appear as misdemeanor.

Any person who has been served with a petty offense complaint for a violation of a statute relating to the operation and use of a motor vehicle may, if he has a valid South Dakota driver's license in his possession or if the arresting officer is shown satisfactory proof that the person does have a valid South Dakota driver's license although not in his immediate possession, give a written promise to appear at the hearing to the officer who served the complaint on him.

If he does not have a valid South Dakota driver's license, he may immediately either sign an admission and give a deposit in accordance with § 23-1A-12 or file a deposit in accordance with § 23-1A-13. If he refuses either alternative, he shall be taken immediately to the nearest or most accessible judge or magistrate for a hearing on the complaint.

Any person who intentionally violates his written promise to appear, given in accordance with the provisions of this section, is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.