Amber D. Whittington Appointed a Magistrate Judge in the Second Judicial Circuit

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Dec. 31, 2025
Contact: Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer, Alisa.Bousa@ujs.state.sd.us or 605.773.2031

Amber D. Whittington Appointed a Magistrate Judge in the Second Judicial Circuit

PIERRE, S.D.—The Unified Judicial System is pleased to announce that the South Dakota Supreme Court has appointed Amber D. Whittington as a magistrate judge for the Second Judicial Circuit. Whittington will take the bench on Jan. 12, 2026.

Whittington was born in Killeen, Texas, spent part of her childhood in Hawaii, and was raised in Yankton, S.D. She attended Mount Marty University, Yankton, and received a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice with minors in psychology and human services.

Following graduation, Whittington relocated to the West Coast and worked as a social services specialist. In 2015, she returned to South Dakota and earned her juris doctor from the University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law, Vermillion, in 2017. 

Whittington began her legal career as an attorney for East River Legal Services. In 2020, she joined the Minnehaha County Public Defender’s Office, where she worked as a criminal defense attorney.  

Whittington fills a vacant magistrate judge position in the Second Judicial Circuit, which includes Lincoln and Minnehaha counties. 

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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.