UJS Press Releases & News
View press releases from and news about the South Dakota Unified Judicial System.
Recent News From UJS
Second Circuit to Hold Two Treatment Court Graduations in Sioux Falls
Second Circuit Treatment Courts will hold two graduation ceremonies in Sioux Falls. Treatment court graduation is an important milestone in a participant’s journey toward building a life of responsibility and accountability.
Supreme Court Issues Advisory Opinion Concerning Lieutenant Governor’s Constitutional Authority to Cast Tie-Breaking Votes in the Senate
The South Dakota Supreme Court today issued an advisory opinion in the matter of the interpretation of the South Dakota Constitution and state law regarding the Lieutenant Governor’s power to vote on final passage of legislation in the case of a tie while serving as President of the Senate.
State Bar Foundation Receives Grant to Enhance Legal Services in Rural Areas
South Dakota Bar Foundation recently received $63,222.50 from South Dakota Community Foundation’s Beyond Idea Grant (BIG) program to develop and test a virtual platform to improve retention of rural attorneys, support student exploration of justice careers, and create a connected system of training, mentoring and workforce support that strengthens rural communities.
Pennington County to Hold Two Treatment Court Graduations
Pennington County Treatment Courts will hold two graduation ceremonies in February.
Construction Progressing on New Turner County Courthouse
Turner County is turning a new leaf in its judicial and administrative history...as construction on the new courthouse is close to finishing.
James Valley Drug & DUI Court to Hold Graduation on February 19
James Valley Drug & DUI Court will hold a graduation ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. CST in the second-floor courtroom of the Davison County Public Safety Building, 1015 S. Miller Ave., Mitchell.
Minnehaha County Law Library Services, Resources Available to the Public
Minnehaha County last year agreed to remodel the courthouse's law library space into a new courtroom/hearing room (now called 4E), and UJS committed to maintain Minnehaha County Law Library services and resources in other ways. All Minnehaha County Law Library services and resources have now been relocated and continue to be available to the public.
Celebrate Court Reporting and Captioning Week February 7-14
Court reporters and court recorders are essential to ensure that a court record is complete, accurate and reliable. Gov. Larry Rhoden and Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen have proclaimed Feb. 7-14, 2026, Court Reporting and Captioning Week in South Dakota.
Commission on Parenting Time Guidelines to Meet on January 30
The South Dakota Supreme Court’s Commission on Parenting Time Guidelines will meet on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, 3-3:30 p.m. CST virtually via Zoom.
South Dakota Chief Justice on State Courts’ Challenges, Public Service and Rural Access
Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen appeared on the podcast Talk Justice and spoke about his path to South Dakota’s Supreme Court, the national Conference of Chief Justices, efforts to promote public interest law, access to justice initiatives and the challenges facing state courts.