PIERRE, S.D. (KCCR) – The South Dakota Supreme Court Friday issued an order declaring a Judicial Emergency for the state’s Unified Judicial System. Supreme Court Chief Justice David Gilbertson says a Judicial Emergency has only ever been declared once; for Gregory County after the Burke tornado last year.

Each of the seven Judicial Circuits in the state will submit their changes to Gilbertson to be approved. The order allows for at-risk populations for the cornonavirus to be excused from jury duty.

It also encourages judges to permit more use of technology for court proceedings.

Gilbertson says the order may need to be changed moving forward depending the status of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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