South Dakota Court Docket Search

The South Dakota Unified Judicial System allows for public dissemination and release of South Dakota court record information and court dockets. Therefore, individuals can conduct a South Dakota docket search to retrieve docket information maintained by record custodians in the state. Court dockets are compliant with the Supreme Court Rules and Rules of Procedure in Circuit Courts. A South Dakota court docket search can be done online or in person at the court where the case was handled. Typically, the search criteria are by case number, filing date, or party name.

What is a Court Docket in South Dakota?

A court docket is the computer file maintained by the South Dakota Clerk of Courts for each case. It lists the document type, filing date, and the date each document was entered into the docket. Court dockets also contain filings like declarations, briefs, pleadings, orders, exhibits, judgments, and court notations. In a civil case, a docket usually begins with the filing of a summons and complaint. In contrast, it begins with an indictment in a criminal matter. After a case is filed, the court maintains a docket sheet or register of actions of that case. This sheet provides a chronological list noting the date, caption, or description of each document filed in the action. The case will be assigned a case number that will be noted on individual documents filed in relation to the case. The docket number is usually noted in the left column on the docket sheet list, along with the filing date of the document, as well as the date of entry and sometimes the party or entity filing that document. Court dockets are kept throughout a pending action's lifetime and after the case's final disposition. However, not all docket information is available to the public because some court dockets are confidential, sealed, or destroyed.

Are Court Dockets Public Records in South Dakota?

The South Dakota Sunshine Law and the Unified Judicial System Court Records clearly state that court records, including court dockets, are accessible to the public unless exempted by law. Therefore, members of the public can examine or obtain copies of court dockets maintained by record custodians in South Dakota. however, certain court dockets or portions of them are deemed confidential. Per 15-15A-7 of the South Dakota Unified Judicial System Court Records provides an outline of such records:

Court dockets containing adoption information
Court dockets containing a domestic abuse victim's location
Court dockets relating to guardianships and conservatorships
Court dockets of juvenile proceedings
Court dockets relating to grand jury proceedings
Seal court dockets

Where to Find a Court Docket in South Dakota

Most South Dakota have online tools where individuals can find court dockets. The search criteria are by name and case number. Also, a requester can visit the court in the county where the case was held to find a court docket. The court typically keeps a record of every case filed with them. Therefore, the inquirer only needs to provide accurate case information to facilitate request processing. Once the required fees have been made, the court docket will be made available if found. Search fees are nonrefundable, even if the court docket of the searched case is not found.

How to Conduct a South Dakota Court Docket Search

South Dakota has a state-wide search tool that can be used to retrieve court docket information. Court dockets on criminal cases from 1989 to the present are available via the UJS Public Record Search (PARS). Requesters must enter a person’s name and date of birth to access court docket information on the PARS portal. A $20 fee is required for each search. This fee applies regardless of whether the search returns any court docket information for the requested search. To pay by credit card, individuals can use the “Search as Guest” button on the portal. Inquirers conducting large volume or multiple name record searches can use a draw down account. Send an email to UJSPARSsupport@ujs.state.sd.us to set up a draw down account or request access to an existing draw down account.

Court dockets on civil cases from 2003 to the present are available on the UJS Civil Judgment Record Search. To use the system, individuals must register online and obtain a user ID and password. Individuals can use the search tool by creating a subscription account or as a 'pay as you go' user by conducting a search by name and date.

Alternatively, a South Dakota court docket search can be done at the county where a case was heard. Individuals can visit the South Dakota Unified Judicial System website and use the Court Finder Search tool to find the contact information of the circuit court where the case was filed. Upon getting to the courthouse, provide basic information about the case, like docket number, party name, date filed, attorney name, or the name of the judge that presided over the case. The court may allow individuals to view court dockets for free, but copies of court dockets usually come at a cost. Individuals can also find dockets on courtroom doors.

Using Third-Party Sites for a South Dakota Court Docket Search

Another way to conduct court docket searches is through third-party sites. These private sites do not provide similar docket information because they are independently run. Certain search parameters would be required to conduct the search. Typically, requesters may have to pay a small search fee to retrieve docket information. Note that any information retrieved from third-party sites may be inaccurate or incomplete. However, they can point one in the right direction while searching for docket information on government-run websites.

What is the Purpose of a Court Docket in South Dakota

The purpose of a court docket is to maintain a brief list of upcoming court proceedings and filings so that the court can keep track of multiple cases. A court docket is a valuable resource for court staff, case parties, judges, attorneys, and the general public. For example, an attorney can use a court docket to know when they are expected to come to court and when the case proceeding will commence. An attorney can use a court docket as supporting documents in court. Members of the public request court docket to have insight into case information and court proceedings. Court staff uses dockets to track the progress of cases, monitor monetary compensations, and ensure that all court orders are properly enforced. Case parties use court dockets to know the status of their cases and their next hearing date and time.

What Do Court Dockets Contain in South Dakota?

A typical court docket in South Dakota contains summary information about cases. The information includes:

parties' names
Case status
County name
Filing date
Case style
Docket number
Attorneys of record
Documents filed
Hearings held
Judgments entered
The outcome of completed cases.

What is a Court Docket Number in South Dakota?

A "docket number" is synonymously called a "case number," and it refers to a series of unique characters (letter or number) given to a case. South Dakota courts assign each newly filed case a docket number. This docket number appears on all documents submitted to the court in relation to the case. Generally, a court docket number is assigned based on the type of case and when the case was filed. A typical docket number in South Dakota looks like this 51CIV16-001779, which stands for:

51 means the county code
CIV means the case type
16 means the year the case was filed
001779 stands for the reference number

The docket number “51CIV16-001779” simply means the 1779th civil case filed in Pennington County in 2016.

How to Conduct a Court Docket Number Lookup in South Dakota

Individuals can conduct court docket number lookups online or in person at any court in South Dakota. Online requests can be made on the South Dakota Unified Judiciary System (UJS) website. Here is how to conduct a court docket number lookup online:

Go to the South Dakota Unified Judiciary System (UJS) website
Click the “eservices” menu at the top bar
Select eCourts from the dropdown
Create an account as a public user
Log in with an email and passphrase
Click on the “Case Lookup” tab to conduct a search by name
Enter the person’s name or business name and click on the search button

A list of docket entries for the searched name will be displayed. Click on the desired docket to access docket information, including the docket number.

Image of docket documents filed in court cases can be purchased for $0.10 per page with a $3 maximum per document. However, individuals using the eCourts public access solution cannot view or purchase court docket documents.

In-person requests can be made at the courthouse where the case was filed. A party name, filing date, or the name of attorneys of records be provided to process the request. Individuals can use the public access workstations located in all courthouses to conduct court docket number lookup for free. However, printing od any court docket image may come at a cost.