South Dakota Jury Instruction Impeachmenten— - Inconsistent Statemen— - Defendant Testifies With Felony Conviction In South Dakota, when a defendant with a previous felony conviction takes the stand to testify, the opposing party has the right to challenge the credibility of the defendant's statements by presenting evidence of any prior inconsistent statements made by the defendant. This legal concept is known as impeachment. Impeachment can significantly impact the jury's perception of the defendant's overall credibility and the weight given to their testimony. When a defendant testifies with a felony conviction, several key factors come into play when considering impeachment through inconsistent statements. These factors may include the nature of the felony conviction, the relevance of the inconsistent statement, and the timing of the statement in relation to the current case. These considerations help determine the admissibility and weight of the impeachment evidence. There are different types of South Dakota Jury Instructions related to impeachment with inconsistent statements when a defendant testifies with a felony conviction. They include: 1. South Dakota Jury Instruction — Impeachment by Prior Inconsistent Statements: This instruction focuses on general principles of impeachment by presenting evidence of a prior inconsistent statement made by the defendant. It highlights the importance of assessing the credibility of the defendant's testimony based on the inconsistency between their earlier statement and the statement made during the trial. 2. South Dakota Jury Instruction — Weight and Credibility of Impeachment Evidence: This instruction guides the jury on how to evaluate the weight and credibility of the evidence presented during impeachment. It explains that merely finding inconsistent statements does not necessarily render the defendant's testimony unreliable or false, but it is an essential factor to consider in assessing their credibility. 3. South Dakota Jury Instruction — Prohibition on Inferring Guilt from Impeachment Evidence: This instruction clarifies that the jury should not infer the defendant's guilt solely based on the evidence presented during impeachment. It emphasizes the importance of considering all evidence presented and the overall context of the case when making their final decision. It is crucial for both the defense and prosecuting attorneys to properly present and argue the relevance and weight of the impeachment evidence during the trial. The jury's understanding of the South Dakota Jury Instructions regarding impeachment and inconsistent statements plays a significant role in their evaluation of the defendant's credibility and the ultimate outcome of the case.