PIERRE, S.D. (KCCR) – South Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice David Gilbertson, for the final time Wednesday gave his annual State of the Judiciary message to a joint session of the South Dakota Legislature. Gilbertson says 11 years ago specialty courts were non-existent in the state and today they are making a difference.

Because of that success, Gilbertson is encouraging further expansion of diversion programs.

Gilbertson says the states Unified Judicial System is exploring the use of mental tele-health services to remotely make mental health services available to rural law enforcement.

Gilbertson also talked about the expansion of programs to bring lawyers to rural parts of South Dakota, making sure high-quality students are graduating from the University Of South Dakota Law School and the expansion during his time as Chief Justice of rules to bring expanded electronic coverage of circuit court proceedings to the media.

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