Criminal and Protection Order Searches
The public can access a summary of criminal court information online via Public Access Records Search (PARS), or they can submit a form to request criminal or civil court information.
Public Access Record Search (PARS) is an online tool which provides a summary of public court information in criminal cases, domestic protection orders, stalking protection orders, and foreign protection orders. PARS can be used to obtain a background check on yourself, another individual or a business.
There is $20 fee for each search submitted via PARS. The fee is charged when the search is submitted and applies regardless of whether the search returns any records. You can search as a guest and pay as you go for each search. Or, for multiple record searches, you can request to establish a drawdown account by contacting UJS support.
Criminal cases are available, unless sealed from 1989 to present. For cases prior to 1989, records must be requested directly from the clerk of courts office for the county in which the case was filed. Contact information for the clerk of court can be found via Court Finder.
Open court records referenced in a PARS summary can be viewed or printed from public access computer terminals located at all courthouses in South Dakota. For more information about obtaining a full court record, contact a clerk of courts office.