Section 19-12-4 - (Rule 404(a)) Character evidence generally inadmissible--Exceptions. - South Dakota Statutes

19-12-4. (Rule 404(a)) Character evidence generally inadmissible--Exceptions. Evidence of a person's character or a trait of his character is not admissible for the purpose of proving that he acted in conformity therewith on a particular occasion, except:
(1) Evidence of a pertinent trait of his character offered by an accused, or by the prosecution to rebut the same;
(2) Evidence of a pertinent trait of character of the victim of the crime offered by an accused, or by the prosecution to rebut the same, or evidence of a character trait of peacefulness of the victim offered by the prosecution in a homicide case to rebut evidence that the victim was the first aggressor;
(3) Evidence of the character of a witness, as provided in §§ 19-14-8 to 19-14-16, inclusive.

Source: Supreme Court Rule 78-2, Rule 404 (a).