UJS Press Releases & News
View press releases from and news about the South Dakota Unified Judicial System.
Recent News From UJS
Gov. Rhoden Appoints Kellen Willert as Fourth Circuit Judge
Gov. Larry Rhoden on Oct. 8, 2026, announced the appointment of Kellen B. Willert as a circuit judge in the Fourth Judicial Circuit, a vacancy created by the departure of Judge John Fitzgerald.
Organizations Partner to Train on Child Abuse Prevention on October 8
With more than 400 South Dakotans attending, the 26th Annual Community Response to Child Abuse Conference takes place on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.
Supreme Court to Consider Rule Proposal to Merge Fourth and Seventh Judicial Circuits
The South Dakota Unified Judicial System (UJS) State Court Administrator’s Office has formally proposed a rule to the South Dakota Supreme Court that would merge the Fourth Judicial Circuit and Seventh Judicial Circuit.
South Dakota Unified Judicial System Issues FY 2026 Annual Report
The South Dakota Unified Judicial System (UJS) has issued its FY 2026 Annual Report, which encompasses the work of the South Dakota Supreme Court, circuit courts, magistrate courts and the State Court Administrator’s Office from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
Pennington County Drug Court Graduates Mark Recovery Milestone
Participants in Pennington County Drug Court celebrated the completion of the court-supervised treatment program during a ceremony Wednesday afternoon at the Pennington County Courthouse.
Pennington County Veterans Court Holds Graduation to Honor the Road to Recovery
The Pennington County Veterans Court held a graduation ceremony at the Pennington County Courthouse for two of its graduates.
Codington County Treatment Court to Hold Graduation on September 30
Codington County Treatment Court invites the public to help recognize participants who have successfully completed all phases and requirements of the treatment court program.
Public Invited to Observe the Supreme Court at the University of South Dakota in October
South Dakota Supreme Court 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.
Commission on Equal Access to Our Courts to Meet on September 30
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.
Pennington County Treatment Courts to Hold Four Graduations
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.