South Dakota Criminal Records: Top 2 Ways to Search Online

The Unified Judicial System provides a statewide search of South Dakota criminal records for a fee. But accessing the SD Sex Offender Registry is absolutely free of charge thanks to the landmark Megan's Law. Alerting the public to the presence of sex offenders in their communities, although controversial, is believed by a majority of federal and state legislators to be for the greater good.

South Dakota criminal records are generally accessible via a statewide search program. The state criminal records database covers documents from all counties in SD dating from 1989. If they do not involve juveniles and have not been sealed by the courts, then the South Dakota criminal records can easily be accessed online.

Two Websites for Your SD Criminal Records Search

1. Statewide Search for Criminal Records

a. Access the form via the URL below or write out a request that includes the subject's full name, birth date (if you know it), and Social Security ID No. (if possible).

b. Indicate a return address for the search results

c. Enclose the $15 fee, in check/money order payable to the McPherson County Clerk of Court, Post Office Box 248, Leola, SD 57456-0248.

d. Add $2 per document to get certified copies.

e. An extra $5 or $1 per page (whichever amount is greater) will be added if you want the records faxed to a number that is not toll-free

2. Sex Offender Online Registry

SD laws on sex offender registration were amended in 2006 to allow the general public to access a database of all registered SD offenders via the Internet.

The site is maintained by the state Criminal Investigation Division, which regularly updates the online database. But since data can change quicker that it can be updated online, it is still best to check the local agency in charge of offender registration for most current data on an offender.

Sex offender information is intended for the public to take the necessary precautions when an offender is present in the community. There is an ongoing debate on whether such information can be given to the general public without impinging on the rights of the offender.

But federal sex offender laws, which order that the data be disseminated, weigh in favor of the greater good. The landmark law behind the registry is Megan's Law, as it is informally known. It is named after 7-year old Megan Kanka who was sexually abused and murdered by a two-time sex offender who happened to be living just across the street from Megan's family.

However, state authorities make it a point to caution the public that using these South Dakota criminal records to harass or threaten the offender may lead to criminal prosecution.

Useful South Dakota Criminal Records Links:

Statewide Record Search
Sex Offender Registry

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South Dakota criminal records can be very powerful tools of information. So if you ever want to conduct a criminal check on someone, do so in the most time-efficient and hassle-free way; check out our unbiased reviews of today's leading online criminal records search service providers!