South Dakota - Jury Duty Employer Obligations

In South Dakota, employers are required to provide you with unpaid time off for reporting to jury selection or jury duty. You may have to show your employer your jury summons in order to be given the necessary leave.

Your employer can never punish you for missing work to attend jury duty. However, if missing work would cause your employer undue hardship, it may be considered as an acceptable jury duty excuse.

Employee is entitled to temporary leave of absence while performing jury duty. Payment for leave or not is within the discretion of the employer.

No law in South Dakota compels an employer to compensation of wages to an employee during jury duty.

You will receive a nominal jury duty payment from the State of South Dakota for each day you serve on a jury, as well as potential reimbursements for travel expenses. However, jury duty pay tends to be a token amount rather than actual compensation.

No employer may discharge or suspend any employee from their employment on the grounds of serving as a juror in any court in the State of South Dakota.The employee may not lose job status, pay, or seniority due to performing jury duty.

You should be sure to show your employer your South Dakota jury duty summons letter when you receive it, and update them with your jury duty dates if you are assigned to a trial, to ensure that you receive your mandatory time off.

The employer may be found guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500 or up to 30 days imprisonment, or both.

If you have been punished for missing work due to jury duty, contact the joror office of the court that summoned you, and they will assist in ensuring that your rights are protected.