South Dakota Supreme Court declares judicial emergency

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — The South Dakota Supreme Court has issued an order declaring a judicial emergency because of the new coronavirus. The order gives the presiding judges of the state’s seven judicial circuits authority to modify or suspend court rules as warranted for dealing with the pandemic. That may be closing the courtrooms, relocating proceedings or otherwise modifying regular operations. The circuit courts have been ordered to enact policies to address requests from people who are at high risk to be excused from jury duty or in-person appearances in court.