Meade County Magistrate Court

Meade County Magistrate Court cases in Meade County, Sturgis, SD

Meade County Magistrate Court in Sturgis, South Dakota, is a magistrate (limited-jurisdiction) trial court within the South Dakota Unified Judicial System that operates under the local circuit court. It handles initial criminal proceedings (including arrests, arraignments, bail, and warrants), conducts preliminary hearings in felony cases, and adjudicates misdemeanor and petty offense matters, such as traffic and municipal ordinance violations. On the civil side, it processes small claims and other limited civil matters authorized by law, and it addresses certain protection order proceedings. Felony trials and most family, juvenile, and complex civil cases are heard by the circuit court.

Meade County Magistrate Court Contact and Location Information

Services and Case Types Handled in Meade County Magistrate Court

Meade County Magistrate Court serves the public by handling limited-jurisdiction matters and essential court services:

- Case filings: small claims; limited civil (money damages under statutory limits); landlord/tenant (evictions); traffic and misdemeanor criminal complaints; initial filings in felony cases.
- Protective orders: petitions and issuance of temporary/final domestic abuse and stalking protection orders; enforcement of no-contact conditions.
- Court hearings: first appearances, bail/bond, arraignments, preliminary hearings in felony cases, small-claims and eviction trials, motions, sentencing, and misdemeanor probation-violation hearings.
- Jury services: juror summons, qualification, management, reporting instructions, and excuses for misdemeanor and eligible civil trials.
- Warrants and release: review/issuance of search and arrest warrants; setting release conditions.
- Public services: calendars and notices; forms and filing guidance; fine/fee payments; certified copies and records access; interpreter scheduling and ADA accommodations.