---
title: Atlas Commons research objects — civil legal aid capacity for South Dakota (FY2025)
license: CC0-1.0
source: Legal Services Corporation (LSC) Basic Field grant directory (FY2025)
---

# Atlas Commons research objects — civil legal aid capacity for South Dakota (FY2025)

South Dakota's LSC-funded civil legal aid capacity from the LSC Basic Field grant directory, with each figure's status labeled so a consuming agent can weight it correctly: the measured LSC records (provider count, awarded grant dollars, service-area types, and the Census-based poverty population LSC allocates by); one computed figure — LSC funding per person in poverty — a transparent ratio neither LSC nor Census publishes, with its formula disclosed; and the interpretive boundary (what this funding/capacity surface is, and is not). Source: LSC Basic Field grant directory. CC0.

## Claims

### 2 LSC-funded civil legal aid providers received $2,649,147 in South Dakota (FY2025)

**RECORDED.** The LSC Basic Field grant directory records 2 LSC-funded civil legal aid grantees in South Dakota for fiscal year 2025, awarded $2,649,147 in total. A re-tally of published LSC grant awards.

Source: Legal Services Corporation (LSC) Basic Field grant directory (FY2025) — https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/who-we-are/our-grantees
Falsifier: A RECORD of measured/reported events (occurred=true) from Legal Services Corporation (LSC) Basic Field grant directory (FY2025); superseded when Legal Services Corporation (LSC) Basic Field grant directory (FY2025) publishes its next release.

### 104,685 people in poverty live in the LSC service areas covering South Dakota (FY2025)

**RECORDED.** The poverty population in the LSC Basic Field service areas covering South Dakota is 104,685, the figure LSC uses to allocate Basic Field grants. A Census/ACS-based poverty count summed across the state's service areas.

Source: Legal Services Corporation (LSC) Basic Field grant directory — poverty population (U.S. Census/ACS) — https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/who-we-are/our-grantees
Falsifier: Re-tally of LSC's published service-area poverty figures (occurred=true), from a named authority — BUT the underlying poverty count is a U.S. Census/ACS SURVEY ESTIMATE with sampling error, not a hard census enumeration. Superseded with each LSC grant cycle / ACS vintage.

### LSC grant counts by service-area type in South Dakota (FY2025): Basic Field 2, Native American 1

**RECORDED.** Counts of the 2 LSC grants by LSC service-area type: Basic Field 2, Native American 1. A count of grants per LSC-defined service-area category.

Source: Legal Services Corporation (LSC) Basic Field grant directory (FY2025) — https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/who-we-are/our-grantees
Falsifier: A RECORD of measured/reported events (occurred=true) from Legal Services Corporation (LSC) Basic Field grant directory (FY2025); superseded when Legal Services Corporation (LSC) Basic Field grant directory (FY2025) publishes its next release.

### LSC civil legal aid funding is $11.86 per person in poverty in South Dakota (FY2025) — a derived ratio

**DERIVED.** Dividing the $1,241,414 in LSC Basic Field funding for service areas with a reported poverty population by the 104,685 people in poverty there yields $11.86 of LSC civil legal aid funding per person in poverty in South Dakota. A transparent ratio neither LSC nor Census publishes. Both sides EXCLUDE the 1 grant with no LSC-reported poverty population, so the ratio stays set-consistent (it is the funding-to-poverty ratio over the service areas that have a poverty figure, not all grant dollars over a partial population).

Source: Justice Atlas — derived ratio (LSC allocation ÷ service-area poverty population, over the same set of grants) — https://justice-atlas.ryanjhunter.workers.dev/
Falsifier: occurred=FALSE (a constructed ratio, not an event) and adjudged=FALSE (the atlas's calculation, not an LSC/Census figure). Reproduce it: $1,241,414 ÷ 104,685 = $11.86. Falsified if either input is wrong; it counts ONLY LSC Basic Field funding for grants with a reported poverty figure, not total civil legal aid spending, so it understates total per-capita legal aid.

### What this legal-aid surface is — and is NOT — for South Dakota (the epistemic boundary)

**INTERPRETATION.** Every figure above describes LSC Basic Field grant CAPACITY and FUNDING for South Dakota (FY2025). It is NOT all civil legal aid (LSC funds only part of the field; it excludes non-LSC legal aid, pro bono, and self-help), NOT a measure of cases handled, outcomes, or unmet need, and NOT a statement of whether you personally qualify for legal aid. For eligibility and help, use LawHelp.org / your local LSC grantee; for the full justice gap, see LSC's Justice Gap research.

Source: Justice Atlas framing (over the LSC facts above) — https://justice-atlas.ryanjhunter.workers.dev/
Falsifier: occurred=FALSE (a framing, not an event) and adjudged=FALSE (the atlas's reading, not an LSC verdict) — the LOWEST-warrant claim here. The figures above are LSC records plus one disclosed derived ratio; the four-status labels each, and this is the only interpretation.

### South Dakota sets a 2 years civil statute of limitations for defamation (libel / slander) (S.D. Codified Laws § 15-2-15(3))

**RECORDED.** Under S.D. Codified Laws § 15-2-15(3), the civil statute of limitations for defamation (libel / slander) in South Dakota is 2 years. Note: Same period for libel and slander.. This is the STATUTE as written (verify at the cited code), last verified 2026-04-29 — NOT a calculation of any person's actual deadline, which depends on accrual and tolling.

Source: CaseFleet Civil Statute-of-Limitations Reference (2026) — https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/15-2-15
Falsifier: A RECORD of measured/reported events (occurred=true) from CaseFleet Civil Statute-of-Limitations Reference (2026); superseded when CaseFleet Civil Statute-of-Limitations Reference (2026) publishes its next release.

### South Dakota sets a 2 years civil statute of limitations for medical malpractice (S.D. Codified Laws § 15-2-14.1)

**RECORDED.** Under S.D. Codified Laws § 15-2-14.1, the civil statute of limitations for medical malpractice in South Dakota is 2 years. Note: Foreign-object exception applies; minors have additional time.. This is the STATUTE as written (verify at the cited code), last verified 2026-04-29 — NOT a calculation of any person's actual deadline, which depends on accrual and tolling.

Source: CaseFleet Civil Statute-of-Limitations Reference (2026) — https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/15-2-14.1
Falsifier: A RECORD of measured/reported events (occurred=true) from CaseFleet Civil Statute-of-Limitations Reference (2026); superseded when CaseFleet Civil Statute-of-Limitations Reference (2026) publishes its next release.

### South Dakota sets a 3 years civil statute of limitations for personal injury (S.D. Codified Laws § 15-2-14(3))

**RECORDED.** Under S.D. Codified Laws § 15-2-14(3), the civil statute of limitations for personal injury in South Dakota is 3 years. Note: Special 1-year period for tort claims against State; 2 years for municipalities.. This is the STATUTE as written (verify at the cited code), last verified 2026-04-29 — NOT a calculation of any person's actual deadline, which depends on accrual and tolling.

Source: CaseFleet Civil Statute-of-Limitations Reference (2026) — https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/15-2-14
Falsifier: A RECORD of measured/reported events (occurred=true) from CaseFleet Civil Statute-of-Limitations Reference (2026); superseded when CaseFleet Civil Statute-of-Limitations Reference (2026) publishes its next release.

### South Dakota sets a 3 years civil statute of limitations for product liability (S.D. Codified Laws § 15-2-12.2)

**RECORDED.** Under S.D. Codified Laws § 15-2-12.2, the civil statute of limitations for product liability in South Dakota is 3 years. Note: a discovery rule may apply (the clock may start at discovery, not occurrence); Applies to manufacturers, sellers, and lessors.. This is the STATUTE as written (verify at the cited code), last verified 2026-04-29 — NOT a calculation of any person's actual deadline, which depends on accrual and tolling.

Source: CaseFleet Civil Statute-of-Limitations Reference (2026) — https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/15-2-12.2
Falsifier: A RECORD of measured/reported events (occurred=true) from CaseFleet Civil Statute-of-Limitations Reference (2026); superseded when CaseFleet Civil Statute-of-Limitations Reference (2026) publishes its next release.

### South Dakota sets a 3 years civil statute of limitations for wrongful death (S.D. Codified Laws § 21-5-3)

**RECORDED.** Under S.D. Codified Laws § 21-5-3, the civil statute of limitations for wrongful death in South Dakota is 3 years. Note: No discovery rule for wrongful-death claims.. This is the STATUTE as written (verify at the cited code), last verified 2026-04-29 — NOT a calculation of any person's actual deadline, which depends on accrual and tolling.

Source: CaseFleet Civil Statute-of-Limitations Reference (2026) — https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/21-5-3
Falsifier: A RECORD of measured/reported events (occurred=true) from CaseFleet Civil Statute-of-Limitations Reference (2026); superseded when CaseFleet Civil Statute-of-Limitations Reference (2026) publishes its next release.

### South Dakota sets a 6 years civil statute of limitations for contract oral (S.D. Codified Laws § 15-2-13(1))

**RECORDED.** Under S.D. Codified Laws § 15-2-13(1), the civil statute of limitations for contract oral in South Dakota is 6 years. Note: Statute covers express or implied contracts and liabilities.. This is the STATUTE as written (verify at the cited code), last verified 2026-04-29 — NOT a calculation of any person's actual deadline, which depends on accrual and tolling.

Source: CaseFleet Civil Statute-of-Limitations Reference (2026) — https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/15-2-13
Falsifier: A RECORD of measured/reported events (occurred=true) from CaseFleet Civil Statute-of-Limitations Reference (2026); superseded when CaseFleet Civil Statute-of-Limitations Reference (2026) publishes its next release.

### South Dakota sets a 6 years civil statute of limitations for contract written (S.D. Codified Laws § 15-2-13(1))

**RECORDED.** Under S.D. Codified Laws § 15-2-13(1), the civil statute of limitations for contract written in South Dakota is 6 years. Note: Same 6-year period for written and oral contracts.. This is the STATUTE as written (verify at the cited code), last verified 2026-04-29 — NOT a calculation of any person's actual deadline, which depends on accrual and tolling.

Source: CaseFleet Civil Statute-of-Limitations Reference (2026) — https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/15-2-13
Falsifier: A RECORD of measured/reported events (occurred=true) from CaseFleet Civil Statute-of-Limitations Reference (2026); superseded when CaseFleet Civil Statute-of-Limitations Reference (2026) publishes its next release.

### South Dakota sets a 6 years civil statute of limitations for fraud (S.D. Codified Laws § 15-2-13(6))

**RECORDED.** Under S.D. Codified Laws § 15-2-13(6), the civil statute of limitations for fraud in South Dakota is 6 years. Note: a discovery rule may apply (the clock may start at discovery, not occurrence); Discovery rule built into the statute.. This is the STATUTE as written (verify at the cited code), last verified 2026-04-29 — NOT a calculation of any person's actual deadline, which depends on accrual and tolling.

Source: CaseFleet Civil Statute-of-Limitations Reference (2026) — https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/15-2-13
Falsifier: A RECORD of measured/reported events (occurred=true) from CaseFleet Civil Statute-of-Limitations Reference (2026); superseded when CaseFleet Civil Statute-of-Limitations Reference (2026) publishes its next release.

### South Dakota sets a 6 years civil statute of limitations for property damage (S.D. Codified Laws § 15-2-13(2))

**RECORDED.** Under S.D. Codified Laws § 15-2-13(2), the civil statute of limitations for property damage in South Dakota is 6 years. Note: Action for taking/detaining/injuring goods or chattels.. This is the STATUTE as written (verify at the cited code), last verified 2026-04-29 — NOT a calculation of any person's actual deadline, which depends on accrual and tolling.

Source: CaseFleet Civil Statute-of-Limitations Reference (2026) — https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/15-2-13
Falsifier: A RECORD of measured/reported events (occurred=true) from CaseFleet Civil Statute-of-Limitations Reference (2026); superseded when CaseFleet Civil Statute-of-Limitations Reference (2026) publishes its next release.

### Why these statute-of-limitations periods are NOT your deadline (the L5 boundary)

**INTERPRETATION.** The periods above are the statutes South Dakota has on the books. They do NOT tell you YOUR deadline. When a claim "accrues" (starts the clock), whether the discovery rule, tolling, a minor/incapacity, or a statute of repose changes it, and which cause of action even applies, are fact-specific legal determinations. A missed deadline can permanently bar a claim. This atlas informs and routes — it is not legal advice and not a substitute for a licensed attorney. If you may have a claim, consult an attorney in South Dakota immediately; for free civil legal aid see this state's legal-aid page.

Source: Justice Atlas framing (over the statutes above) — https://justice-atlas.ryanjhunter.workers.dev/
Falsifier: occurred=FALSE (a framing/legal boundary, not an event) and adjudged=FALSE (the atlas's reading, not a court's ruling on any case) — the lowest-warrant claim. The period+citation claims above are recorded statutes (verifiable at the cited code); this boundary is the only interpretation on the SOL data.

---

Every claim above carries a four-status warrant (RECORDED / MODELED / DERIVED / INTERPRETATION) and a named source you can re-fetch — this is a research object, not a flat fact. Structured: `https://justice-atlas.ryanjhunter.workers.dev/justice/states/sd.jsonld`

## Data

### South Dakota — every legal-aid indicator (typed)

Each official figure for this state with its four-status warrant and named source. RECORDED = a re-tally of published LSC/Census values; DERIVED = an in-house ratio (allocation ÷ service-area poverty population).

| indicator | value | warrant | source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| LSC-funded providers (distinct organizations) | 2 | RECORDED | Legal Services Corporation (LSC) Basic Field grant directory |
| LSC service-area grants | 3 | RECORDED | Legal Services Corporation (LSC) Basic Field grant directory |
| Total LSC allocation (USD) | 2649147 | RECORDED | Legal Services Corporation (LSC) Basic Field grant directory |
| Poverty population in service areas | 104685 | RECORDED | Legal Services Corporation (LSC) Basic Field grant directory (U.S. Census/ACS) |
| LSC funding per person in poverty (USD) | 25.305889095859005 | DERIVED | Justice Atlas — allocation ÷ poverty population |
| Fiscal year | 2025 | — | Legal Services Corporation (LSC) Basic Field grant directory |

### South Dakota — LSC grants by service-area type (RECORDED)

Counts of the state's LSC grants by LSC-defined service-area category — a count of grants per program type.

| service_area_type | grant_count |
| --- | --- |
| Basic Field | 2 |
| Native American | 1 |

### South Dakota — LSC-funded legal-aid grants (RECORDED)

The full LSC Basic Field grant directory for this state: one row per grant (an organization may hold more than one). Allocation is the awarded grant amount; poverty population is the Census/ACS figure LSC allocates by (blank where LSC does not report it for that service area).

| organization | service_area | service_area_type | allocation_usd | poverty_population |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Dakota Plains Legal Services, Inc. | NSD-1 | Native American | 1407733 |  |
| East River Legal Services | SD-2 | Basic Field | 664495 | 56035 |
| Dakota Plains Legal Services, Inc. | SD-4 | Basic Field | 576919 | 48650 |