PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: January 7, 2025
Contact: Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer, Alisa.Bousa@ujs.state.sd.us, 605.773.2031
Judge Robert Gusinsky Reappointed as Presiding Judge of Seventh Judicial Circuit
PIERRE, S.D.—Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen announced today the reappointment of the Honorable Robert Gusinsky, Rapid City, as Presiding Judge for the Seventh Judicial Circuit. Judge Gusinsky’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 Seventh Judicial Circuit consists of Custer, Fall River, Oglala Lakota and Pennington counties.
“In his short time as presiding judge of a large circuit, Judge Gusinsky has shown unwavering dedication to the principles of fairness and excellence in the judiciary,” said Chief Justice Jensen. “Judge Gusinsky is humble, fair, and has created an environment of dignity and respect for those entering the court system in the Seventh Judicial Circuit.”
Judge Gusinsky received his undergraduate degree in aeronautical engineering in 1990 from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. He worked as a commercial airline pilot and flight instructor and received his juris doctor from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 1996. He worked as a private practice lawyer from 1996 to 2007, an assistant U.S. Attorney with the U.S. Attorney’s Office from 2007 to 2013, and was appointed a circuit court judge for the Seventh Judicial Circuit in 2013. Judge Gusinsky was appointed a presiding judge for the Seventh Judicial Circuit on April 1, 2024.
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For a photo of Judge Gusinsky, 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.