PIERRE, S.D.(Press Release)— The South Dakota Supreme Court announce the Justices have selected Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen to a second term as Chief Justice of South Dakota’s highest court.

Chief Justice Jensen was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2017 and was initially selected as Chief Justice by the members of the Court in 2021. He will begin his second, four-year term as Chief Justice on Jan. 6, 2025.

“I am deeply honored that my colleagues have entrusted me with a second term as Chief Justice. Over the past four years, we have worked to ensure that our courts remain fair, accessible and responsive to the needs of all South Dakotans,” Chief Justice Jensen said. “I look forward to continuing this important work as we strive to uphold the rule of law and strengthen public trust in our judiciary.”

Chief Justice Jensen received his undergraduate degree from Bethel University in St. Paul, Minn., in 1985 and his juris doctor from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 1988. He clerked for Justice Richard W. Sabers on the South Dakota Supreme Court before entering private practice in 1989. Chief Justice Jensen was appointed a circuit court judge for the First Judicial Circuit in 2003 and presiding judge in 2011.

“In my view, the court system’s ability to provide a forum for the fair resolution of disputes, and the consistent application of the rule of law, is dependent upon having judges and court staff who perform their duties with excellence,” said Chief Justice Jensen. “The past four years, we have focused on this core function so we can continue to attract and retain talented judges and staff who are well-trained, knowledgeable, hard-working and care about the people they serve.”

Chief Justice Jensen went on to say, “Additionally, as a court system, we have led major initiatives, including the creation of a statewide indigent legal defense system to provide more effective and efficient court-appointed representation in criminal cases, along with founding an access to courts commission to address the challenge of more and more self-represented individuals, in civil cases, who seek redress in the courts. We have also worked to enhance security at courthouses and to develop more focused and effective probation services for young adult offenders. We will continue to work hard to provide a fair and just court system that our citizens can believe in.”

The South Dakota Supreme Court is comprised of five Justices selected by the Governor from five geographic appointment districts. In addition to the Chief Justice, the members of the Court include Justice Janine M. Kern, Justice Mark E. Salter, Justice Patricia J. DeVaney and Justice Scott P. Myren. The Justices face a nonpolitical retention election three years after appointment and every eight years after that. The Justices select the Chief Justice for a four-year term.

Justice Kern noted, “The members of our Court unanimously and without hesitation reelected Chief Justice Jensen to lead our Court and the system. He is fair minded, efficient, caring and focused on improving the delivery of services to every member of the public who accesses the system.”

The Chief Justice is the administrative head of the South Dakota court system, which has 605 employees and an operating budget of $78 million for FY2025. The Chief Justice also works closely with the Governor and the Legislature on matters related to the court system in South Dakota.