South Dakota Unified Judicial System

South Dakota Unified Judicial System Our vision is justice for all.

The South Dakota Unified Judicial System (UJS) is dedicated to providing a fair, impartial and accessible court system that upholds the rule of law and is worthy of the public's trust and confidence.

Codington County Treatment Court invites the public to help recognize participants who have successfully completed all p...
09/28/2026

Codington County Treatment Court invites the public to help recognize participants who have successfully completed all phases and requirements of the treatment court program.

Codington County Treatment Court will hold a graduation ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, at 1 p.m. CDT in Courtroom 222 in the Codington County Courthouse at 14 First Ave. SE in Watertown. The event is open to the public and media.

Codington County Treatment Court’s mission is to enhance public safety with the goal of developing sober, productive, law-abiding citizens by holding participants accountable while providing supervision, treatment and life skills in a judicial setting. The treatment court was established in 2014.

Learn more information about South Dakota Treatment Courts at https://ujs.sd.gov/programs-services/treatment-courts.

Attorneys who are part of the South Dakota Rural Attorney Recruitment Program and Project Rural Practice gathered in Pie...
09/25/2026

Attorneys who are part of the South Dakota Rural Attorney Recruitment Program and Project Rural Practice gathered in Pierre this week for the 2026 Rural Attorney Conference.

Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen spoke about the continual need for attorneys in rural areas of South Dakota, and Fourth Judicial Circuit Judge Eric J. Strawn spoke about the ethical use of AI for small and solo law firms.

Other topics included emergency preparedness, estate planning for ranchers and farmers, business tools for starting your own business, and a round table discussion.

Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen invites the public to attend the Supreme Court’s October 2026 Session on Oct. 7-8 at the ...
09/24/2026

Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen invites the public to attend the Supreme Court’s October 2026 Session on Oct. 7-8 at the University of South Dakota (USD) Knudson School of Law in Vermillion.

The Supreme Court will hear arguments in three cases the morning of Wednesday, Oct. 7, and four cases the morning of Thursday, Oct. 8. Arguments will begin at 9 a.m. CDT each morning. The sessions will be held in the UJD Knudson School of Law Courtroom, 414 E. Clark St., Vermillion.

“The traveling sessions bring the work of the Supreme Court closer to the people we serve,” said Chief Justice Jensen. “It provides an important opportunity for South Dakotans to see the judicial process firsthand, learn more about the role of the Court, and gain a greater understanding of how decisions are made.”

The Supreme Court travels throughout the state twice a year to hear arguments at public institutions. Learn more about the Court's October 2026 Session at https://ujs.sd.gov/supreme-court/traveling-sessions.

The South Dakota Unified Judicial System is hiring a Court Services Officer in Pierre for the Sixth Judicial Circuit. Th...
09/23/2026

The South Dakota Unified Judicial System is hiring a Court Services Officer in Pierre for the Sixth Judicial Circuit.

This position supervises adults and juveniles on or anticipating probation by preparing presentence investigations and social histories; interviewing victims; assessing offenders’ risks and needs; making recommendations to the court for sentences and dispositions; developing treatment plans and linking offenders with appropriate community-based services; and investigating, supervising and counseling individuals to facilitate their personal, social and economic adjustment in their communities. Travel is required. This position will be required to work hours during evenings and weekends, as necessary.

A $1,500 new hire incentive is offered for this position, and the salary is $28.37 per hour. The position is open until filled, and the job ID is 37709. Learn more and apply at https://ujs.sd.gov/careers.

The South Dakota Commission on Equal Access to Our Courts will meet virtually via Microsoft Teams on Wednesday, Sept. 30...
09/23/2026

The South Dakota Commission on Equal Access to Our Courts will meet virtually via Microsoft Teams on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, at 10 a.m. CDT. New business agenda items include a review and discussion of intake processes, commission action and the next meeting date.

The Commission, which is authorized by SDCL 16-2-55, provides grants to nonprofit entities that are funded, or nonprofit entities contracting with nonprofit entities that are funded, by the Legal Services Corporation and deliver legal services to persons meeting income eligibility guidelines.

View the agenda and meeting link at https://bit.ly/3zWU31D.

Pennington County Treatment Courts are holding four graduation ceremonies and invite the public to help recognize partic...
09/22/2026

Pennington County Treatment Courts are holding four graduation ceremonies and invite the public to help recognize participants who have successfully completed all phases and requirements of their respective treatment court programs.

• Pennington County Mental Health Court: Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, 3 p.m. MDT, Courtroom C8 (first floor)

• Pennington County DUI Court: Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, 10 a.m. MDT, Courtroom C8 (first floor)

• Pennington County Drug Court: Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, 3 p.m. MDT, Courtroom C2 (third floor)

• Pennington County Veterans Court: Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, 10:30 a.m. MDT, Courtroom C2 (third floor)

The graduation ceremonies will be held at the Pennington County Courthouse at 315 St. Joseph St., Rapid City.

Graduation represents more than completion of treatment. Graduates have met the requirements of a rigorous court-supervised program and demonstrated sustained progress toward recovery, personal responsibility and positive change.

Northern Hills Drug Court invites the public to help recognize participants who have successfully completed all phases a...
09/21/2026

Northern Hills Drug Court invites the public to help recognize participants who have successfully completed all phases and requirements of the treatment court program.

Northern Hills Drug Court will hold a graduation ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at noon MDT in the downstairs courtroom of the Meade County Courthouse at 1425 Sherman St. in Sturgis. The featured speaker will be Chanel P., a former graduate of Northern Hills Drug Court. Each graduate will also share their personal experiences with the treatment court process and be presented with certificates by Treatment Court Judge Francy E. Foral.

Fourth Circuit Treatment Courts cover Butte, Lawrence and Meade counties in western South Dakota. Fourth Circuit DUI Court is held in Deadwood, and Northern Hills Drug Court is held in Sturgis. These weekly courts began in 2007.

Graduation represents more than completion of treatment. Graduates have met the requirements of a rigorous court-supervised program and demonstrated sustained progress toward recovery, personal responsibility and positive change.

The South Dakota Commission on Indigent Legal Services will meet virtually via Zoom on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, at 10...
09/17/2026

The South Dakota Commission on Indigent Legal Services will meet virtually via Zoom on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, at 10 a.m. CDT. The meeting agenda includes approval of meeting minutes, open meeting law review, budget request and trial-level representation, update on case handling and status, other business and time for public comment.

The Commission oversees indigent legal services in South Dakota’s court system where there is a right to counsel under state or federal law. The Commission also oversees the Office of Indigent Legal Services to provide statewide indigent representation services in appeals of criminal, habeas corpus, and abuse or neglect of a child cases.

View the meeting agenda and Zoom link at https://bit.ly/4dJFL3G.

Judy the Justice Bus is headed to Winner this week!The Dakota Plains Legal Services team will be at the Tripp County Cou...
09/16/2026

Judy the Justice Bus is headed to Winner this week!

The Dakota Plains Legal Services team will be at the Tripp County Courthouse from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT this Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, providing free civil legal assistance, information and resources. The courthouse is located at 200 E. Third St. in Winner.

Have a civil legal question or need help figuring out where to start? Stop by and visit with Dakota Plains Legal Services — no appointment needed!

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500 East Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD
57501

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