About Us

The South Dakota Unified Judicial System (UJS) safeguards the rights of every citizen and assures due process of law. The government must respect all the legal rights that are owed to a person according to the law. Everyone has the right to a fair trial, the right to be heard and a chance to defend themselves before any government action. Established in 1975 through a constitutional amendment, the UJS operates under a unified structure comprising the Supreme Court, circuit courts and magistrate courts.

Our Mission: Justice for All.

Our Vision: We are stewards of an open, effective, and accessible court system, worthy of the public’s trust and confidence.

Important Principles of South Dakota Courts

Our courts encompass three key principles—openness, effectiveness and accessibility. Together, these principles work toward creating a judicial system that the public can trust and have confidence in, knowing that it is fair, transparent and dedicated to serving the needs of the state’s citizens.

Openness

Our courts work to provide a transparent judicial process. The court system aims to be open to public scrutiny, ensuring that court proceedings, decisions and operations are visible and understandable to the community. This openness helps to ensure that justice is not only done but is seen to be done, fostering a sense of fairness and accountability.

Effectiveness

The goal of our courts is to deliver justice efficiently and fairly. This includes timely case processing, delivering fair and impartial judgments, and ensuring that the legal process is free of unnecessary delays. An effective court system maintains high standards of judicial performance and continually seeks to improve its procedures and outcomes.

Accessibility

All individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances, must have access to the court system and its services. This includes physical access to court facilities, availability of information and resources in multiple languages, affordable legal assistance, and support services for individuals with disabilities. By being accessible, justice is within reach for everyone.

SD UJS Directory

Looking for someone within the South Dakota Unified Judicial System? Our directory provides an easy way to find key personnel, including Supreme Court Justices, Probation Services, court reporters, circuit court administrators and more.

UJS Directory State of South Dakota Directory

Get in Touch

Need to get in touch with the SD UJS? Get quick access to essential contacts, including court offices, UJS divisions and administrative departments. Reach out if you have a question, need assistance or are looking for specific court-related information.

Important SD UJS Resources & Links

Recent Press Releases from SD UJS

Stay informed with the most recent news and press releases from the South Dakota Unified Judicial System. Our latest press releases keep the public, jurors, attorneys, and legal professionals up to date on important developments.

South Dakota Supreme Court Justice Janine M. Kern Announces Retirement

South Dakota Supreme Court Justice Janine M. Kern has announced that she will retire from the bench on Dec. 8, 2025.

June 11, 2025
Press Release
Supreme Court

Treatment Court Graduations to be Held in Mitchell and Yankton

As part of National Treatment Court Month, graduation commencements will be held to celebrate those completing drug and DUI court in Mitchell and Yankton.

New Collaboration Brings Narcan, Street Medicine, Peer Support Services to Treatment Courts

In a move to strengthen recovery outcomes and save lives, a new initiative has been launched to embed street medicine services, harm reduction supplies and peer support into the fabric of South Dakota’s treatment court system.

Find All Press Releases