The 2026 Second Chance Index
How South Dakota ranks for second chances
South Dakota ranks 41st of 51 (tied) in the 2026 Second Chance Index, scoring 47.5 out of 100 for clearing a record, voting rights and where its felony line falls. That's 14 points below the median state (61.5). It shares the rank with Wyoming.
Built from South Dakota's record-clearing, voting and felony-class records, last checked October 29, 2026. General information, not legal advice.
47.5 out of 100
- Clearing a record
- 23.5 / 50
- Voting rights
- 14 / 30
- Where the felony line falls
- 10 / 20
Every point South Dakota earned and missed
Each line is a field we publish about South Dakota, checked against state law and official guidance. The points are the index's; the method lists every one.
Clearing a record
23.5 of 50 points| What we score | South Dakota | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Some records clear automatically | Limited automatic clearing | 10/15 |
| A general route to clear a felony | None found | 0/12 |
| A general route to clear a misdemeanor | None found | 0/8 |
| A way to clear a case with no conviction | Yes | 8/8 |
| A fee waiver on at least one route | Yes | 4/4 |
| A DUI conviction can be cleared | In some cases | 1.5/3 |
Voting rights
14 of 30 points| What we score | South Dakota | Points |
|---|---|---|
| When the vote comes back after a felony | After the sentence | 14/30 |
Where the felony line falls
10 of 20 points| What we score | South Dakota | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Theft becomes a felony at | More than $1,000 | 5/10 |
| Repeat DUI becomes a felony | From the 3rd offense | 5/10 |
Where the 52.5 missing points are
- 16When the vote comes back after a felony: After the sentence
- 12A general route to clear a felony: None found
- 8A general route to clear a misdemeanor: None found
- 5Some records clear automatically: Limited automatic clearing
- 5Theft becomes a felony at: More than $1,000
- 5Repeat DUI becomes a felony: From the 3rd offense
- 1.5A DUI conviction can be cleared: In some cases
The index scores what state law says, not how courts apply it. A lower score doesn't mean South Dakota offers no relief; its pages list every route.
States ranked near South Dakota
Cite this page
Second Chance Index, "How South Dakota ranks for second chances" https://secondchanceindex.com/state-rankings/south-dakota, checked October 29, 2026.