PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: March 18, 2024
Contact: Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer
Alisa.Bousa@ujs.state.sd.us | 605.773.2031
Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen Appoints Judge Robert Gusinsky as Presiding Judge of Seventh Judicial Circuit
PIERRE, S.D.—South Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen has appointed the Honorable Robert Gusinsky as presiding judge for the Seventh Judicial Circuit. Judge Gusinsky replaces current Seventh Judicial Circuit presiding judge, the Honorable Craig A. Pfeifle, who is retiring in June 2024. To facilitate the leadership transition, Judge Gusinsky will begin his duties as presiding judge on April 1, 2024.
South Dakota’s Unified Judicial System is divided into seven judicial circuits. The Seventh Judicial Circuit is comprised of Custer, Fall River, Oglala Lakota and Pennington counties.
Judge Gusinsky has served as a circuit court judge for the Seventh Judicial Circuit since 2013, when he was appointed by Gov. Dennis Daugaard. Prior to that, he was an assistant U.S. attorney with the U.S. Attorney’s Office from 2007 to 2013 and worked as a private practice lawyer in Rapid City from 1996 to 2007.
Judge Gusinsky was born in Latvia, and at the age of 13, he came to the United States with his family. He became a U.S. citizen in 1986. Judge Gusinsky is a 1990 graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where he earned his degree in aeronautical engineering and worked as a commercial airline pilot and flight instructor. He received his juris doctor from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 1996.
“With a distinguished record of upholding the principles of justice and fairness, Judge Gusinsky brings invaluable expertise and a steadfast commitment to the judicial system,” Chief Justice Jensen said. “I am confident that Judge Gusinsky will be an outstanding leader for the Seventh Judicial Circuit and carry on the tradition of integrity and excellence in the Circuit.
“I want to thank retiring Judge Pfeifle for his service as presiding judge over the past nine years. His innovative and effective leadership of the Seventh Judicial Circuit will continue to positively impact the Circuit into the future.”
Pursuant to Article V, Section 11 of the South Dakota Constitution, presiding judges are appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The presiding judge of each judicial circuit has administrative supervision and authority over the operations of the courts within the circuit. In addition to their administrative responsibilities, presiding judges also maintain full caseloads.
To learn more about the South Dakota Unified Judicial System, visit https://ujs.sd.gov.
—30—
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.