What are South Dakota Small Claims Cases and Class Action Lawsuits?

In South Dakota, small claims cases are filed for monetary compensation involving $12,000 or less, according to SDCL 16–12C–13. Examples of small claims lawsuits are property damage, contract dispute, and civil right violation. The small claims court, under the magistrate court, has jurisdiction over such lawsuits. Class action lawsuits are a group action of individuals with similar claims, for example, employees, consumers, or patients, against a defendant in a bid to get a settlement. Class action requires a good number of plaintiffs to file via a single lawsuit. Filing is not complicated, and eligibility for class action lawsuits in South Dakota is for individuals above eighteen. Minors are to be present during the court process with parents or guardians. The circuit court mostly oversees civil litigation like class-action lawsuits.

Records that are considered public may be accessible from some third-party websites. These websites often make searching more straightforward, as they are not limited by geographic location, and search engines on these sites may help when starting a search for a specific or multiple records. To begin using such a search engine on a third-party or government website, interested parties usually must provide:

• The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
• The location or assumed location of the document or person involved

Third-party sites are independent of government sources and are not sponsored by these government agencies. Because of this, record availability on third-party websites may vary.

What Cases are Heard by Small Claims Courts in South Dakota?

The small claims court in South Dakota hears lawsuits such as;

• Contract Disputes: These disputes mostly occur when a party or more do not strictly oblige to the terms and conditions laid out by a contract. Often than not, this happens due to the contract not written in clear terms. 
• Property Disputes: Property dispute cases involve disagreements over ownership or wreckage to one’s property. Property disputes constitute breaching boundary lines, foreclosure, and disagreement on the mortgage, zoning and land use, and property title.
• Torts: Torts are cases whereby a party alleges that the other party has inflicted physical and emotional harm. Torts can be classified into two; injury or property. Tort lawsuits on an injury can involve car accident injuries, wrongful death, invasion of privacy, and injuries from assaults, while property torts regard the illegitimate encroachment into another private property. It includes breaking into someone’s land without appropriate permission, using items possessed by someone else without permission, and stealing someone else’s property with no intention to return it. 
• Complaints Against the City: Complaints against the city are often settled without the court, but in the event of refusal to settle, the court intervenes, and the plaintiff must prove that the city law or regulation has caused harm to individuals.
• Labor: Labor cases in court are generally filed by employees who have been hurt by an employer’s decision either through a backlash of unpaid wages or physical injuries. These cases are heard in court to make an effort to reconcile both parties and restore parity or compensate the plaintiff. 
• Intellectual Property: Intellectual property litigation revolves around disagreements concerning artistic works, inventions, discoveries, and other creations of the mind. Breaching an intellectual property guideline will result in facing the court.

What is a Class Action Lawsuit in South Dakota?

In South Dakota, a class action caters to common claims with a group of people against a defendant or vice versa. The defendant, in this case, is usually a corporation, an institution, or a business. It is called a class action because the lawsuits represent the interest and opinion of more than one individual who has either been injured by a wrong prescription of a drug, influenced by a deceptive advert, or harmed by a faulty medical device. In the event of attaining success in the case, each member of the class must show proof of membership before any form of disbursement can occur. In alignment with the provisions of section 16 –2- 57, South Dakota codified laws, a class action lawsuit is acceptable when each person cannot file for the claims individually.

How do I File a Claim in a South Dakota Small Claims Court?

Filing a small claim in South Dakota requires the plaintiff to complete the necessary forms. The defendant will receive a copy of the form and must file a written response. At the court, the plaintiff and defect must present evidence such as documents, photographs, and witness statements to support each claim. After observing the case thoroughly, the judge will issue a judgment.

Do I Need a Small Claims Lawyer?

In South Dakota, plaintiffs can seek legal counsel and representation, although it is unnecessary. In order not to bear a needless financial burden by employing a lawyer, self-representation is better. In a nutshell, petitioners who choose to represent themselves in the small claims court are treated fairly.

How do Class Action Lawsuits Work in South Dakota?

Class action lawsuits in South Dakota must satisfy the prerequisites, which are numerosity, common claim, and adequate representation. The class representatives can file the case at the court for $30. The class is also required to gather evidence and documents that can prove helpful to stake their claim. A hearing will be fixed, and if it goes in favor of the class, the plaintiffs get compensation through settlement. Class action lawsuits and the waiting period differ mainly because of the circumstances at play. Nevertheless, based on common practice, the suits can be finalized anytime between six months to a year.

Is a Class Action Better Than a Single Party Suit?

Class action lawsuits attend to the claims from several plaintiffs, while single party suits are filed by individuals. Judging from the strict procedures involved in class action and immense time needed before settlement, it is very likely for a single party suit to be more successful as it requires lesser time and fewer people to cater to.