NCJ Number
81105
Date Published
1979
Length
43 pages
Annotation
This report covers fiscal years 1978-79 and includes descriptive analyses of the component offices of the South Dakota unified judicial system, statistical data, and commentary on significant court activities from July 1977 through June 1979.
Abstract
The unified judicial system functions essentially as a structure at two levels, with the circuit court level employing courts of limited jurisdiction to assist in certain types of court action. The supreme court is the court of last resort to which decisions of the circuit courts may be appealed. Following an explanation of the history and structure of the judicial system, the report delineates administrative and support functions; presents a table of administrative organizations and statistics for the supreme court, staffing changes, caseload data, financial data, court services, and population data; and highlights new developments and projects. Two automated systems were implemented during the period as part of the judicial information system. In addition, the early case records of the State supreme court are in the process of being converted onto microfilm. A map is included.