
Quoting
South Dakota Codified Laws
Sec. 22-30A-19.1. - Liability of shoplifter to owner or seller - Penalty.
Any adult, or any emancipated minor as defined in § 25-5-24, or any parent or guardian of any unemancipated minor, who takes possession of any goods, wares, or merchandise displayed or offered for sale by a store or other mercantile establishment without the consent of the owner or seller, and with the intention of converting the goods to the person's own use without having paid the purchase price, is liable to the owner or seller for the retail value of the merchandise, regardless of whether or not the merchandise has been recovered in undamaged condition by the owner or seller. In addition, the owner or seller is entitled to a penalty of four times the retail value of the merchandise, or one hundred dollars, whichever is greater.
Sec. 22-30A-19.3. - Demand for payment by victim of retail theft.
Any owner or seller of merchandise who is the victim of retail theft pursuant to § 22-30A-19.1 may make a written demand for the amount for which any person is liable pursuant to § 22-30A-19.1. Except for a sole proprietorship, a member of management, other than the initial detaining person, shall evaluate the validity of the accusation that an act of retail theft was committed and shall approve the accusation before a written demand for payment is issued. The demand for payment shall be mailed by certified mail to the person from whom payment is demanded or served personally on the person from whom payment is demanded. Personal service shall be accomplished in the same manner as the service of a summons.