South Dakota Supreme Court to Bring Court to Augustana University
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: March 6, 2026
Contact: Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer, Alisa.Bousa@ujs.state.sd.us, 605.773.2031
South Dakota Supreme Court to Bring Court to Augustana University
PIERRE, S.D.—South Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen invites the public to attend the Court’s March Term of Court at Augustana University in Sioux Falls on March 18-19, 2026.
The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in three cases the morning of Wednesday, March 18, and three cases the morning of Thursday, March 19. The sessions will be held in Hamre Recital Hall in Fryxell Humanities Center, 2120 S. Grange Ave., Sioux Falls. Oral arguments begin at 9 a.m. CDT both mornings.
“An open courtroom is essential to a strong democracy,” said Chief Justice Jensen. “By bringing the Supreme Court to Augustana University, we hope to provide students and community members a meaningful opportunity to observe the judicial process, ask questions, and gain a deeper understanding of how the rule of law impacts their daily lives.”
Prior to court both days, Second Judicial Circuit Judge Jon C. Sogn and State Court Administrator Greg Sattizahn will provide a brief summary of South Dakota’s court system and explain what attendees will see that day in the court process, who is involved in the cases, and what happens after oral arguments are heard. The judicial primer will begin at 8:30 a.m. CDT.
Following oral arguments both days, high school students, college students and members of the public can ask questions of the Supreme Court Justices. The judicial Q&A will begin at approximately 11:15 a.m. CDT.
Information about the March Term of Court including the schedule of the cases to be heard, a short synopsis of each case, biographical information about the Supreme Court Justices and a short summary of appellate procedure is provided in the March Term of Court Booklet.
Proper courtroom protocol assures that the lawyers presenting arguments before the Supreme Court will not be unduly distracted and that respect for the judiciary is maintained. Learn about courtroom protocol in the Supreme Court’s Know Before You Go.
The Supreme Court travels throughout the state twice a year to hear oral arguments at public institutions. This gives the citizens of South Dakota the opportunity to see and hear for themselves how the Supreme Court operates. Area high school government classes are also invited to attend. Learn more about the Supreme Court.
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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 by visiting the UJS website.