Judicial selection in South Dakota
| Judicial selection in South Dakota | |
 | |
| South Dakota Supreme Court | |
| Method: | Comm. select., Gov. appt. |
| Term: | 8 years |
| South Dakota Circuit Courts | |
| Method: | Non-partisan elections |
| Term: | 8 years |
| South Dakota Magistrate Courts | |
| Method: | Appointment by Presiding Circuit Court Judges |
Contents |
Judicial selection in South Dakota is a hybrid of appointments and elections.
Supreme Court
Justices of the South Dakota Supreme Court are appointed by the governor, who receives a list of candidates from the South Dakota Judicial Qualifications Commission. When the governor appoints a justice to fill a vacancy, the justice serves a three year term, then stands in a retention election. Subsequent terms last eight years.
The chief justice is elected by the other justices and serves a four year term.
In order to serve on the court, the following qualifications must be met:
- be a U.S. citizen;
- be a resident of South Dakota;
- be a resident of the voting district;
- licensed to practice law in the state; and
- be under the age of 70. [1]
Circuit Courts
The judges of the South Dakota Circuit Courts run in non-partisan elections and serve eight year terms. If more than two candidates run for a seat, the candidates participate in a primary. The two candidates receiving the most votes advance to the general election.
If a vacancy occurs on a court, the governor appoints a replacement, with recommendations from the South Dakota Judicial Qualifications Commission. The replacement serves the remainder of the unexpired term.
The chief judge on the court is appointed by the chief justice of the South Dakota Supreme Court.
In order to serve on the court, the following qualifications must be met:
- be a U.S. citizen;
- be a resident of South Dakota;
- be a resident of the circuit;
- licensed to practice law in the state; and
- be under 70 years of age. [1]
Magistrate Courts
Magistrate judges are appointed by the presiding judges of the Circuit Courts.[2]
See also
- State Supreme Court elections
- Campaign finance requirements for South Dakota judicial elections
- South Dakota judicial elections
- Courts in South Dakota
External links
- American Judicature Society, South Dakota: Formal Changes Since Inception
- South Dakota Judiciary, A Guide to Your Courts
References
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