South Dakota Court Records Search

South Dakota Court System

The unified justice system of SD consists of a Supreme Court, Circuit Courts, and Magistrate Courts. It is one of the most straightforward court systems in the United States.

The Supreme Court is the highest court in the state and the only appellate court. This court has one Chief Justice and four Associate Justices. They are appointed by the state Governor from five judicial districts. They first serve three-year terms and then if re-elected they serve an eight-year term. All the justices vote on a Chief Justice to serve as the head of the judicial system.

Along with processing appeals, the Supreme Court has general supervisory authority over all other lower courts. Additionally, the Supreme Court has the power "to issue original or remedial writs and advise the Governor on issues concerning the Governor's executive powers."

Along with the main trial courts, this state has split out divisions called "problem-solving courts" to address things like drug and alcohol addiction and veterans’ issues.

Although they use a simplified justice system, SD has an extensive judicial branch website with resources for the public, litigants, attorneys, and the internal court staff. The South Dakota unified judicial system makes it easier for law enforcement, court representatives, and patrons to use. Unlike many states, SD does not have a District Court.

Supreme Court

Circuit Court

Magistrate Court

South Dakota Public Records That are not Open to the Public

The state offers public access to many court documents online and in person at the local county courthouses. Patrons can contact the Court Clerk to obtain copies of most files. However, confidential and sealed records will not be available, and this may include juvenile and adoption records. They have all criminal records online from 1989 until the present. For civil cases, they go back to 2003. The federal government prohibits the inclusion of personal identifiers and other private information from being included in public records. Therefore, things like home addresses, bank information, social security numbers, tax IDs, children's names, some vital records, and other types of information will be redacted from the files before they are made public. Patrons of the court can always consult the clerk of courts about what is available and what is not.

SD Judicial Record Filing Information

The state's Judicial Branch website (sd.gov) is organized well for the self-represented litigant and the general public. The site has an entire page of forms, legal assistance, along with quick links to the court calendar, federal court information, areas of interest on domestic violence, parenting help, mediation and resources for veterans. Additionally, they offer an e-filing option and allow users to make payments for fines, fees, and other court-related charges and file documents electronically. They also have a court records search so individuals can find their own case or look up a case they are interested in. The court provides detailed guides to ease patrons through the process of filing a court case.

Search SD Court Records Online

Try Infotracer to search for SD court records within minutes. Using Infotracer, access thousands of SD court cases, including the areas of Minnehaha County, Pennington County, and Lincoln County. Per the Freedom of Information Act and the South Dakota Rapid City, Brookings, Dewey, Fall River, Perkins, Sioux Falls, Sunshine Law SDCL Chapter 1-27, Infotracer can offer criminal records, civil cases, family and probate court matters, bankruptcies and more!

Anyone can conduct a private record search without reason or obtaining any permission. The only court records that will not be available are files sealed by court order or by state laws such as juvenile records.

Enjoy free instant access to SD public records from circuit courts and magistrate courts in all seven judicial districts. The best way to lookup court cases online is by using Infotracer and a South Dakota state court records search by name.

South Dakota Court Statistics

In 2012, the South Dakota courts received 45,935 filings. In 2016, the number of filings increased by 82.0% and counted 83,583 filings.

Family Court Cases

Domestic relations caseload of South Dakota at year end of 2016 has increased by 6.5% compared to the last 5 years.

Circuit Courts

Circuit Courts are the general jurisdiction trial courts for the state. This state is divided into seven judicial circuits, and there are forty-one Circuit Court judges who preside over these circuits. SD judges are elected to eight-year terms, or the Governor may also appoint them. These courts have original jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters. They can hear felony cases and civil actions of $10,000 or more. They also take on domestic relations cases and can process appeals from Magistrate Courts. In each circuit, one presiding judge is chosen by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. These courts act like county courts.

Magistrate Courts

Magistrate Courts in SD are the limited jurisdiction courts for the state. They may be presided over by a lay magistrate or a magistrate judge. The judges must be licensed attorneys but the lay magistrates need only be high school graduates. These courts process very minor criminal cases and simple, low-dollar civil actions. They can also perform marriages, issue warrants, hold preliminary hearings, set bail, receive depositions, appoint counsel, hear non-contested small claims cases of less than $12,000 and accept pleas for class 2 misdemeanors.