Supreme Court
Supreme Court

The South Dakota Supreme Court serves as the state's highest judicial authority. Through its various functions, the Supreme Court plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity of the legal system and promoting transparency.

About the Supreme Court
Supreme Court Justices

Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen

Justice Janine M. Kern

Justice Mark E. Salter

Justice Patricia J. DeVaney

Justice Scott P. Myren
Find Supreme Court

Opinions

Term of Court

Judiciary Messages

Rules Hearings

Published Rules

Summary Dispositions
Circuit Courts
Circuit Courts

South Dakota is comprised of seven judicial circuit courts serving all counties across the state. The Circuit Courts play a vital role in maintaining the integrity of the legal system. Don't know what circuit your in, click the court finder button below.

Court Finder
Locate a Circuit

First Judicial Circuit

Second Judicial Circuit

Third Judicial Circuit

Fourth Judicial Circuit

Fifth Judicial Circuit

Sixth Judicial Circuit

Seventh Judicial Circuit
Treatment Courts

Treatment Courts in South Dakota empower individuals with substance use and mental health disorders to rebuild lives and strengthen communities.

Explore Treatment Courts
Self Help
Self Help

Find information on how to get legal help, including resources available for low or no cost legal aid. Browse by topics to find helpful legal tips and information on protection orders, self representation, Spanish forms, and more.

Browse All Topics
Self Help Topics

Family Law Help

Criminal Law Help

Civil Law Help

Get Legal Help

Representing Yourself

Understanding Courts

Españolas Formas (Spanish Forms)
Areas of Interest

Filing for Divorce

Housing Assistance Resources

Military & Veterans Resources

Shared Parenting Guidelines & Plans

Small Claims Court

Start a Court Action

Obtaining a Protection Order
Understanding SD Courts

Court Structure

Fees and Costs

How the Court Assists

Legal Glossary
Online Services
Online Services

To make accessing online services even easier, we've gathered these helpful resources and links to our online services. Find online services in the menu to the right.
Court Record Access

Court Record Search

Find Court Date

eCourts

Public Access Record Search (PARS)

Civil Money Judgment
Helpful Links

Virtual Courtrooms

Make Payments

SD Jurors Information

SD Court Notifications
Court Forms
Form & File Search

Locate forms and files by search terms, categories, circuits or language by using the filter function.

Form & File Search
Find Common Files by Category

Criminal Law

Family Law

Civil Law

Self Representation

Attorney Forms
TOP SEARCHED FORMS

Divorce

Protection Orders

Child Custody

Child Support

Spanish Forms
Public Information
Public Information

Access official court news, information and media resources from the South Dakota Unified Judicial System.

Learn More
PUBLIC RECORDS

Cases & Records

Court Records Search

eCourts

Public Access Records Search (PARS)

Civil Money Judgment Query

Find Court Date
Juror Resources

For Jurors

Juror Login
MEDIA RESOURCES

Media Coverage in South Dakota Courts
Attorney Resources
For Attorneys

Get quick access to essential resources, forms, and information needed for attorneys to navigate South Dakota courts and cases.

Access All Attorney Information
Quick Links

Attorney Forms

Attorney Resources

Circuit Judge Preferences

File & Serve

eCourts

Attorney Notifications
Additional Resources

Get Involved as an Attorney

Rural Attorney Recruitment Program

Third Judicial Circuit Contacts

Third Circuit Contacts

Name

Address

Contact

Comment

Jenny Hammrich
Circuit Court Administrator

314 6th Avenue
Suite 6
Brookings, SD 57006-2085

Phone: 605-688-4621
Email: jenny.hammrich@ujs.state.sd.us

Molly Ramlo
Chief Court Services Officer

314 6th Avenue
Suite 6
Brookings, SD 57006-2085

Phone: 605-688-4208
Email: molly.ramlo@ujs.state.sd.us

Judge Gregory J. Stoltenburg
Presiding Circuit Judge

314 6th Avenue
Suite 6
Brookings, SD 57006-2085

Judge Preferences

Judge Dawn M. Elshere
Circuit Judge

14 1st Avenue SE
Watertown, SD 57201

Judge Preferences

Judge Abigail A. Howard
Circuit Judge

314 6th Avenue
Suite 6
Brookings, SD 57006-2085

Judge Carmen A. Means
Circuit Judge

14 1st Avenue SE
Watertown, South Dakota 57201

Judge Preferences

Judge Patrick T. Pardy
Circuit Judge

200 E Center St
Madison, South Dakota 57042

Judge Preferences

Judge Kent A. Shelton
Circuit Judge

450 3rd St SW
Huron, South Dakota 57350

Judge Preferences

Judge N. Bob Pesall
Magistrate Judge

101 E. Pipestone Avenue
Flandreau, SD 57028

Judge Gary W. Schumacher
Magistrate Judge

450 3rd St. SW
Huron, SD 57350

Third Circuit Court Reporters

Name

Address

Contact

Comment

Marie Bales
Court Reporter for Judge Shelton

450 3rd Street SW
Huron, SD 57350

Phone: 605-353-7174
Email: marie.bales@ujs.state.sd.us

Daniel Feldhaus
Court Reporter for Judge Pardy

200 E Center Street
Madison, SD 57042

Phone: 605-256-5285
Email: dan.feldhaus@ujs.state.sd.us

Michelle Gaikowski
Court Reporter for Judge Elshere

14 1st Avenue SE
Watertown, SD 57201

Phone: 605-882-5020
Email: michelle.gaikowski@ujs.state.sd.us

Patricia Hartsel
Court Reporter for Judge Stoltenburg

314 6th Avenue
Suite 6
Brookings, South Dakota 57006

Phone: 605-688-5713
Email: patricia.hartsel@ujs.state.sd.us

Dawn Russell
Court Reporter for Judge Means

14 1st Avenue SE
Watertown, South Dakota 57201

Phone: 605-882-5092
Email: dawn.russell@ujs.state.sd.us

Kristin Woodall
Court Reporter for Judge Howard

314 6th Avenue
Suite 6
Brookings, South Dakota 57006

Phone: 605-688-4206
Email: kristin.woodall@ujs.state.sd.us