South Dakota Unified Judicial System Issues FY2025 Annual Report

September 29, 2025

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PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Sept. 29, 2025
Contact: Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer, Alisa.Bousa@ujs.state.sd.us or 605.773.2031

South Dakota Unified Judicial System Issues FY2025 Annual Report

PIERRE, S.D.—The South Dakota Unified Judicial System (UJS) has issued its FY2025 Annual Report, which encompasses the work of the South Dakota Supreme Court, circuit courts, magistrate courts and the State Court Administrator’s Office between July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.

The Supreme Court is the state’s highest court and final decision maker on South Dakota law. The circuit courts, which includes the magistrate 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.

“Each year when I look back at the work of the South Dakota Unified Judicial System, I am reminded that our courts are more than case numbers and filings—they are places where people come seeking a fair and impartial forum for the resolution of their legal dispute,” said Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen. “The graphs and tables included in our annual report not only provide a snapshot of what was accomplished over the past year, but also represent the impact on the lives of individuals, families, businesses and our communities across South Dakota.”

Information in the annual report includes a year in review of the state court system, judiciary highlights from the past fiscal year, Supreme Court and circuit court statistics, and information about the State Court Administrator’s Office.

“As we look toward the year ahead, we will keep working to improve access, increase efficiency, and uphold the values of justice that South Dakotans expect and deserve. My hope is that our courts continue to be places where people feel respected, heard and treated fairly,” Chief Justice Jensen said.

The FY2025 Annual Report can be viewed online. For more information, contact Alisa Bousa, Unified Judicial System public information officer, at 605-773-2031 or alisa.bousa@ujs.state.sd.us.

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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.