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South Dakota District Court Records

The South Dakota District Court Records is a list of the cases. This free public record directory is available online and can be accessed without paying any fees. The South Dakota Districts Court online search gives an easy access to the court records and information regarding all civil and criminal cases in the district. The online south Dakota public court records opens up a way to information on cases related to family courts, bankruptcy court, juvenile court, small claim, circuit courts. These reports also provide a better understanding of many matters at the district level. The resources available by navigating through the South Dakota District Court Records prove to be of immense help in various spheres. It helps gather information on individuals that in turn aids in verification. Also, these resources prove immensely helpful for research work and case studies. Their free accessibility adds to the convenience.

Online South Dakota Public Court Records


In 1889, Dakota Territory was parted into North Dakota and South Dakota. The United States District Code for the state of South Dakota is the Federal district court. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, it has three other courthouses in Rapid City, Pierre, Aberdeen. It is one of the 94 federal judicial districts of the United States. The country of the United States is represented in all civil and criminal cases by the office of the United States attorney for the state. The presiding attorney is Martey J. Jackley. The South Dakota district Court system consists of the Circuit courts and Magistrate courts. While the jurisdiction of Magistrate courts are confined to some specific civil and criminal cases, the Circuit courts have a more general jurisdiction covering all civil and criminal cases. Appeals from South Dakota are taken to the United State Court of Appeal for the Eighth Circuit, two exceptions being the patent claims and claims under the Tucker Act.

The Circuit courts cover all sorts of civil and criminal cases, especially those that are beyond the Magistrate court's jurisdiction. It looks over criminal cases including municipal ordinance violations. Civil cases of claims of more than $10,000 are also heard in the Circuit court. Civil cases also include general civil cases (limited and unlimited), civil equity, complex commercial, foreclosures and liens, real estate title and boundary, landlord tenant, ordinance violations, protection, no contact and restraining orders, administrative appeals. Apart from civil claims, the Circuit court also looks after domestic relations ( child custody and visitation, child support, paternity, domestic violence protection order) including divorce cases, juvenile matters, probate matters like wills, trusts and name changes, equity cases, annulment, guardianship, protection against domestic violence, real estate disputes proceedings in chancery and proceedings in equity. Criminal cases contain felony, misdemeanors, juvenile, traffic and infrastructure. There may also be a separate division for certain non-violent criminal cases such as those related to drugs. The juvenile cases take account of adoptions, juvenile delinquency, child abuse and neglect, termination of parental rights and children in need of supervision. The juvenile cases are handled only by the Circuit court.

The Magistrate court has limited jurisdiction and the preliminary hearings for criminal cases and misdemeanors, violation of municipal ordinances are held here. Unlike the Circuit court, the Magistrate court conducts hearings for civil cases for debt, damage or claim of less than $10,000. The South Dakota District Court has a special tribal division that handles civil cases between tribal members.