UJS Press Releases & News
View press releases from and news about the South Dakota Unified Judicial System.
Recent News From UJS
The speeches that kicked off South Dakota's legislative session
Three speeches before the South Dakota Legislature this week kicked off the 100th legislative session.
Former Justice Amundson has died at age 86
One of the more engaging justices of the modern South Dakota Supreme Court has passed away.
St. Lambert students learn about court, justice system
On Friday, fifth-graders from St. Lambert Elementary received an up-close look at the court system.
State court leaders say reforms to public defense will take years, patience, engagement
Leaders within the state court system asked for patience on Wednesday as they pledged to address deficiencies in South Dakota’s system for delivering legal representation to people who can’t afford lawyers.
Chief justice: No legislation on indigent defense in 2025
Come January, there likely won’t be any new legislative requests from the South Dakota Supreme Court regarding people who lack sufficient financial resources to hire their own lawyers when accused of crimes.
Addressing South Dakota's public defense gaps
Thanks to a new judicial report, the challenges facing the state’s indigent defense system are coming more into focus. Now, the question is how to move forward.
State officials discuss state of indigent defense in South Dakota
State officials discuss state of indigent defense in South Dakota
From Probation to Pageants
After celebrating two years of sobriety, a Mitchell woman is reminding everyone that no matter the challenges in your past, there’s still a chance to re-write your story.
Veterans Treatment Court Sees Two Graduates
The Second Circuit in Minnehaha County has four specialty courts- one of them being the Veterans Treatment Court.
Groundbreaking Held for the New Lincoln County Justice Center
he Lincoln County Board of Commissioners and members of the South Dakota Second Judicial Circuit held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Lincoln County Justice Center in Canton on Tuesday.