South Dakota Supreme Court

South Dakota Supreme Court cases in Hughes County, Pierre, SD

Hughes County Magistrate Court in Pierre, SD is a limited-jurisdiction magistrate court within South Dakota's Unified Judicial System and the Sixth Judicial Circuit. It serves as the front line of the local judiciary, handling initial criminal proceedings (such as first appearances, bail, and warrants), conducting preliminary hearings in felony cases, and adjudicating misdemeanor and petty offenses. The court also processes traffic and municipal ordinance violations. On the civil side, it hears small claims and other limited civil matters within statutory limits. More complex civil, felony trials, and family law cases are handled by the Circuit Court.

South Dakota Supreme Court Contact and Location Information

Services and Case Types Handled in South Dakota Supreme Court

Hughes County Magistrate Court serves the public by handling high‑volume, limited‑jurisdiction matters and essential court services.

- Case filings: misdemeanor criminal, traffic and petty offenses, small claims, and other limited civil matters; probation/conditional violations in misdemeanor cases.
- Protective orders: receives petitions for domestic abuse and stalking/harassment orders, issues temporary orders, schedules and conducts hearings, and enforces final orders.
- Court hearings: conducts initial appearances, bond determinations, arraignments, preliminary hearings in felony cases, motion hearings, misdemeanor trials, and sentencings.
- Warrants: reviews affidavits and issues arrest and search warrants; sets and reviews bail.
- Jury services: summons and manages jurors for misdemeanor and eligible civil trials, including excuses/deferrals and juror payment.
- Public access and payments: provides calendars, copies of records, forms, and accepts fines/fees; offers procedural guidance (not legal advice).