PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: January 7, 2025
Contact: Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer, Alisa.Bousa@ujs.state.sd.us, 605.773.2031
Judge Robin J. Houwman Reappointed as Presiding Judge of Second Judicial Circuit
PIERRE, S.D.—Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen announced today the reappointment of the Honorable Robin J. Houwman, Sioux Falls, as Presiding Judge for the Second Judicial Circuit. Judge Houwman’s reappointment follows the reselection of Jensen as Chief Justice of the South Dakota Supreme Court.
Pursuant to Article V, Section 11 of the South Dakota Constitution, presiding judges are appointed by the chief justice and serve at the chief justice’s pleasure. Presiding judges are administrative heads of their respective circuits. The Second Judicial Circuit consists of Lincoln and Minnehaha counties.
“Judge Houwman leads the largest circuit in the state and does it well,” said Chief Justice Jensen. “Her leadership ensures that the Second Judicial Circuit runs efficiently, effectively and fairly for the citizens of the circuit.”
Judge Houwman received her undergraduate degree from Smith College in Northampton, Mass., in 1993 and her juris doctor from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 1996. She worked as a law clerk for the Second Judicial Circuit from 1996 to 1997, in private practice from 1997 to 2007, as an Assistant U.S. Attorney from 2008 to 2009, and was appointed a circuit court judge for the Second Judicial Circuit in 2009. Judge Houwman has served as presiding judge of the Second Judicial Circuit since 2018.
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For a photo of Judge Houwman, click here.
About South Dakota Courts: The Unified Judicial System (UJS) consists of the Supreme Court, Circuit Courts and State Court Administrator’s Office. The Supreme Court is the state’s highest court and final decision maker on South Dakota law. The Circuit Courts are the state’s trial courts where criminal proceedings and civil litigation are handled. The State Court Administrator’s Office provides centralized administrative assistance and support services for the South Dakota judiciary. Learn more at https://ujs.sd.gov.