{"data":{"id":"us-sd/sdcl-19-19-405","jurisdiction":"us-sd","citation":"SDCL § 19-19-405","heading":"Methods of proving character.","body":"(a) By reputation or opinion. When evidence of a person's character or character trait is admissible, it may be proved by testimony about the person's reputation or by testimony in the form of an opinion. On cross-examination of the character witness, the court may allow an inquiry into relevant specific instances of the person's conduct.\n(b) By specific instances of conduct. When a person's character or character trait is an essential element of a charge, claim, or defense, the character or trait may also be proved by relevant specific instances of the person's conduct.","path":["TITLE 19. EVIDENCE","CHAPTER 19-19. SOUTH DAKOTA RULES OF EVIDENCE"],"source_url":"https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/19-19-405","current_through":"2026-08-31","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-03T15:18:56Z","sha256":"b88774d02bb771d800c71621cf2fc837f0b3d784c05d3c9e0a411ece9d67a25c","source_id":"us-sd","stale":true,"prev":"us-sd/sdcl-19-19-404","next":"us-sd/sdcl-19-19-406"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}