South Dakota Unified Judicial System
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State Supreme Courts
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Recent News About South Dakota Unified Judicial System
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The Second Judicial Circuit in South Dakota is set to welcome Alison D. Nelson as its newest magistrate judge. The swearing-in ceremony will occur on Friday, October 25, 2024, at 3 p.m. CDT in Courtroom 5B at the Minnehaha County Courthouse in Sioux Falls. The event is open to the public and will be followed by refreshments courtesy of the Second Circuit Bar Association.
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The South Dakota Commission on Access to Our Courts is scheduled to meet on October 21, 2024. The meeting will take place from noon to 2 p.m. CDT at Cedar Shore Resort in Chamberlain. The public can join the session virtually through Zoom.
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The Seventh Judicial Circuit Court has announced the upcoming commencement ceremony for participants completing the Pennington County Drug Court program. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at 3 p.m. MDT. It will take place at the Commission Chambers of the Pennington County Administration Building in Rapid City.
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The Second Judicial Circuit in South Dakota will welcome Jeffrey C. Clapper as its newest circuit court judge. The official swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for Friday, October 18, 2024, at 3 p.m. CDT. The event will take place in Courtroom 5B of the Minnehaha County Courthouse, located at 425 N. Dakota Ave., Sioux Falls. The public is invited to attend and refreshments will be available courtesy of the Second Circuit Bar Association.
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The South Dakota Commission on Indigent Legal Services is set to hold a virtual meeting on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at 11 a.m. CDT. This commission is responsible for overseeing indigent legal services in the state's court system, ensuring that individuals have access to counsel under state or federal law. Additionally, it supervises the Office of Indigent Legal Services to provide statewide representation for indigent individuals in criminal appeals, habeas corpus cases, and cases involving abuse or neglect of children.
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The South Dakota Unified Judicial System has released its FY2024 Annual Report. The document covers the activities of the South Dakota Supreme Court, circuit courts, magistrate courts, and the State Court Administrator’s Office from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.
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The Codington County Treatment Court will hold a graduation ceremony on October 4, 2024, at 10 a.m. CDT in Courtroom #222 at the Codington County Courthouse, located at 14 First Ave. SE, Watertown. The event is open to the public and will honor participants who have successfully completed all phases of the program. Family and friends are expected to attend.
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The 24th annual Community Response to Child Abuse Conference is set to take place on October 3, 2024, at the Sioux Falls Convention Center in Pierre, South Dakota. This year, over 500 participants from 130 regional organizations, schools, and businesses are expected to attend.
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The South Dakota Supreme Court will hold its October 2024 term at the University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law in Vermillion. Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen has invited the public to attend the sessions, which are scheduled for October 1 and 2.
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The Sixth Amendment Center (6AC) and the South Dakota Unified Judicial System (UJS) have released a report titled “The Right to Counsel in South Dakota: Evaluation of Trial-Level Indigent Defense Representation in Adult Criminal Cases.” This report follows an initiative that began in January 2023, when Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen called for a task force to study issues with the existing county-run indigent defense system.
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The South Dakota Unified Judicial System is seeking an independent contractor to serve as a child support referee for the Second Judicial Circuit. Applicants must be licensed attorneys in South Dakota, members in good standing of the State Bar Association, and familiar with family law and the child support referee process. The qualifications and duties are outlined in South Dakota Codified Law 25-7A-6 and 25-7A-22.
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A dedication ceremony to rename Courtroom C2 in the Pennington County Courthouse to the Jeff W. Davis Memorial Courtroom will be held on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at 4 p.m. MDT. Former Judge Jeff W. Davis served on the bench for the Seventh Judicial Circuit in Rapid City for 43 years, making him one of the longest-serving judges in state history.
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The Commission on Equal Access to Our Courts is scheduled to meet on June 11. The public can attend the meeting in person in Room 132 of the State Capitol in Pierre or virtually via Zoom.
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The Second Circuit Drug Court team invites the public to recognize the accomplishments of participants completing the program. A graduation ceremony will take place on Friday, May 31, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. CDT in Courtroom 6A at the Minnehaha County Courthouse, 425 N. Dakota Ave., Sioux Falls.
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The Yankton County Drug & DUI Court team has announced a graduation ceremony to honor participants who have successfully completed the program. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. CDT in Courtroom A of the Yankton County Courthouse and Safety Center at 410 Walnut St., Yankton.
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PIERRE, S.D.—South Dakota is developing a new statewide office to improve how legal representation is provided to those who cannot afford an attorney and have a right to counsel under state or federal law. During its first meeting on May 16, 2024, the Commission on Indigent Legal Services approved posting a job announcement to hire a chief defender to lead the new Office of Indigent Legal Services. This person will direct a team of public defense professionals to provide statewide indigent representation services in appeals of criminal, habeas corpus, and abuse or neglect of...
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The Beadle County Drug & DUI Court and Brookings County Drug & DUI Court teams are extending an invitation to the public to attend their alumni day recovery celebrations. These events, which are designed to honor program participants, will feature a panel of program graduates and conclude with light receptions.
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PIERRE, S.D.—The Brown County Drug & DUI Court team has extended an invitation to the public to join them in celebrating the commendable achievements of participants who have successfully completed the program. A graduation ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. CDT in the Brown County Community Room located in the basement of the Brown County Courthouse, 25 Market St., Aberdeen.
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The Codington County Treatment Court is set to host a graduation ceremony on May 24, 2024, at 10 a.m. CDT in Courtroom #222 at the Codington County Courthouse in Watertown. This event will honor a participant who has successfully completed all phases of the program.
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The South Dakota Commission on Indigent Legal Services is set to convene for its inaugural meeting on May 16, 2024. The gathering will take place at the Minnehaha County Courthouse in Sioux Falls from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. CDT.
