SDCL § 26-7A-75: Depositions only as provided by statute or rule--Motion by party due to exceptional circumstances.

Depositions may not be ordered for discovery or any other purpose except as specifically provided by statute or rule. If due to exceptional circumstances it is in the interests of justice that the testimony of a prospective witness of a party be taken and preserved for use at the hearing, the court may upon motion of the party and notice to the parties order that the testimony of the witness be taken by deposition and that any designated book, paper, document, record, recording, or other material not privileged be produced at the same time and place.