Permitting improper communication with jury as misdemeanor

Every officer to whose charge any jury is committed by any court or magistrate, who negligently or intentionally permits them or any one of them: (1) To receive any communication from any person; (2) To make any communication to any person; (3) To obtain or receive any book or paper; or (4) To leave the jury room without the leave of such court or magistrate first obtained; is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. Source: PenC 1877, § 134; CL 1887, § 6334; RPenC 1903, § 140; RC 1919, § 3722; SDC 1939, § 13.1212; SL 1979, ch 150 , § 4.