PIERRE, S.D.(SDBA)- Despite political tensions and widespread access to misinformation, South Dakota’s Unified Judicial System is moving forward, according to Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven Jensen.

In his fifth State of the Judiciary address, Jensen highlighted progress on indigent legal services, specifically for those unable to afford an attorney. He wants to expand the reach of the Indigent Legal Services Office created by the Legislature at his request last year to have full-time, regional public defenders.

Improvements like that one, and drastic improvements to county courtroom’s security systems have come despite widespread distrust in longstanding public institutions – Jensen said. However, he remains optimistic because faith in state judicial systems remains high.

Jensen was selected by his colleagues on the bench to the lead them for a second term as chief justice earlier this month.