Opponents of SD Court Consolidation Say Move Would Harm Rural Access to Justice

Opponents of South Dakota court consolidation say move would harm rural access to justice

The proposal would combine the state’s 4th and 7th Judicial Circuits into a single 12-county 4th Circuit headquartered in Rapid City.

Opponents of SD court consolidation say move would harm rural access to justice

PIERRE — The South Dakota Supreme Court heard concerns Monday at the Capitol in Pierre from people who said the proposed merger of 2 western judicial circuits could leave rural

South Dakota Supreme Court hears first court circuit merger proposal since 1999

The Fourth and Seventh judicial circuits combined would create the state's largest circuit by landmass and the second-largest by population, next only to the circuit encompassing Minnehaha and Lincoln counties.

Proposed South Dakota Court Consolidation Criticized

The South Dakota Supreme Court heard concerns Monday at the Capitol in Pierre from people who said the proposed merger of two western judicial circuits could leave rural communities behind.