How are juveniles committed to the Department of Corrections?
Juveniles are committed to the DOC by the courts as either adjudicated delinquents or as children in need of supervision (CHINS). A “delinquent” is defined by South Dakota Codified Law (SDCL) 26-8C-2 as any child ten years of age or older who, regardless of where the violation occurred, has violated any federal, state, or local law or regulation for which there is a penalty of a criminal nature for an adult, except state or municipal hunting, fishing, boating, park, or traffic laws that are classified as misdemeanors, or petty offenses.
