South Dakota Supreme Court

South Dakota Supreme Court
Seal of the South Dakota Supreme Court
Established	1889
Location	Pierre, South Dakota
Composition method	Missouri Plan
Authorized by	South Dakota Constitution
Appeals to	Supreme Court of the United States
Judge term length	8 years
Number of positions	5
Website	Official Website
Chief Justice
Currently	Steven R. Jensen
Since	January 5, 2021
Lead position ends	2028

The South Dakota Supreme Court is the highest court in the state of South Dakota. It is composed of a chief justice and four associate justices appointed by the governor. One justice is selected from each of five geographic appointment districts. Justices face a nonpolitical retention election three years after appointment and every eight years after that. The justices also select their own chief justice.

The Supreme Court of South Dakota serves as the final appellate court in the state, reviewing the decisions of state circuit courts.^[1] The Supreme Court is also authorized to issue original or remedial writs and provide advice to the governor regarding the scope of executive powers.

The court also provides administration for South Dakota's unified court system, preparing and submitting the judiciary's annual budget, appointing court personnel, and generally supervising the circuit courts. The court is also charged with making the rules covering practice and procedure, administration of the courts, terms of courts, admissions to the bar, and discipline of members of the bar within the state of South Dakota.