The Supreme Court of South Dakota serves as the final Appellate Court in the state, reviewing the decisions of state Circuit Courts . The Supreme Court is also authorized to issue original or remedial Writs and provide advice to the governor regarding the scope of Executive Powers .
The court also provides administration for South Dakota's unified court system, preparing and submitting the judiciary's annual budget, appointing court personnel, and generally supervising the circuit courts. The court is also charged with making the rules covering practice and procedure, administration of the courts, terms of courts, admissions to the bar, and discipline of members of the bar within the state of South Dakota.
In 1889 Dakota Territory was split into North Dakota and South Dakota and the Territorial Supreme Court was formally dissolved by President Benjamin Harrison . An election was held in South Dakota to select the first state supreme court. Justices Dighton Corson , Alphonso G. Kellam , and John E. Bennett were elected and sworn-in October 15 , 1889. Since there was no capitol building yet for the new state, the oath-taking ceremony took place on the Hughes County courthouse veranda. The court was forced to use the county courthouse until 1891 when they began holding court in the state legislature's senate chambers. The South Dakota Supreme Court did not receive their own chambers until the autumn of 1905 .
SUPREME COURT JUSTICES
''Includes justices of the Dakota Territorial Supreme Court.''
