22-18-4. Force--Defense of person.
A person is justified in using or threatening to use force, other than deadly force, against another if the person reasonably believes that using or threatening to use force is necessary to defend against the other's imminent use of unlawful force.
A person who uses or threatens to use force in accordance with this section does not have a duty to retreat before using or threatening to use force.
Source: SDC 1939, §13.2402 (3); SL 2005, ch 120, §8; SL 2006, ch 116, §2; SL 2021, ch 93, §2.