PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: July 26, 2023
Contact: Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer, Alisa.Bousa@ujs.state.sd.us or 605.773.2031
Indigent Legal Services Task Force to Hold Fourth Meeting
PIERRE, S.D.—The Indigent Legal Services Task Force created by HB 1064 during the 2023 South Dakota Legislative Session will hold its fourth meeting on Monday, July 31, 2023, virtually via Zoom.
Task force members will review meeting goals, hear proposed recommendations from State Court Administrator Greg Sattizahn, discuss the proposed recommendations and next steps, and take public comment.
The meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to noon CDT. The Zoom meeting link is https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82468624344?pwd=M2N4V1FSYTF5WCs0cTk0aXBlWTRMZz09.
The goal of the Task Force as stated in the legislation is to:
- Identify how legal services are delivered in South Dakota to indigent parties in criminal, juvenile and child abuse and neglect proceedings statewide.
- Recommend ways to improve the delivery of legal services to indigent parties.
- Recommend methods to provide services for conflict cases where local public defenders may be unable to take cases.
- Address how to ensure competent representation is provided to indigent parties.
- Identify potential funding options to ensure delivery of legal services for indigent parties.
For more information on the Indigent Legal Services Task Force, visit https://ujs.sd.gov/Resources/IndigentLegalServices.aspx.
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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.