CHAPTER 16-14

JUDICIAL CONFERENCE

16-14-1    Conference established--Composition.

16-14-2    Study of state judicial system by conference.

16-14-3    Study of rules of practice by conference--Recommendations for changes.

16-14-4    Annual and special meetings of conference--Training on evidence-based practices.

16-14-5    Agenda for conference meetings--Reports by judges.

16-14-6    16-14-6. Repealed by SL 1972, ch 120, § 2.

16-14-7    Sexual harassment prevention training for judges.

16-14-1. Conference established--Composition.

A conference for the improvement of the administration of justice is hereby established to be known as the Judicial Conference of the State of South Dakota composed of the justices of the Supreme Court, judges of the circuit court, and magistrate judges as members.

Source: SL 1964, ch 109, § 1; SL 1998, ch 118, § 1.

16-14-2. Study of state judicial system by conference.

It shall be the duty of the Judicial Conference to study the organization, rules, methods, and practices of the judicial system of this state; the work accomplished and the results produced together with the problems of administration confronting the courts and the judicial system in general.

Source: SL 1964, ch 109, § 2.

16-14-3. Study of rules of practice by conference--Recommendations for changes.

The Judicial Conference shall also carry on a continuous study of the operation and effect of the general rules of practice and procedure. Changes in and additions to these rules as the conference may deem desirable to promote simplicity in procedure, fairness in administration, the just determination of litigation and the elimination of unjustifiable expense and delay shall be recommended by the conference from time to time to the Supreme Court of South Dakota for its consideration and adoption, modification or rejection, in accordance with law.

Source: SL 1964, ch 109, § 2.

16-14-4. Annual and special meetings of conference--Training on evidence-based practices.

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of South Dakota shall annually summon all the members of the Judicial Conference to attend a conference at such time and place in the state as the Chief Justice may designate and at which the Chief Justice, or such member as the Chief Justice may designate, shall preside. Special sessions of the conference may be called by the Chief Justice at the times and places as the Chief Justice may designate. All persons so summoned shall attend the annual and special meetings.

Each magistrate and circuit judge shall complete training on evidence-based practices, including the use of validated risk and needs assessments and behavioral health assessments in decision making, mental illness, eligibility criteria for mental health services, and availability of mental health services. The form and length of this training requirement shall be determined by the Chief Justice. As used in this section, the term, behavioral health assessment, means an evaluation to determine the extent of an individual's substance abuse or mental health service needs.

Source: SL 1964, ch 109, § 1; SL 2013, ch 101, § 20, eff. Oct. 1, 2013; SL 2017, ch 109, § 30.

16-14-5. Agenda for conference meetings--Reports by judges.

The Chief Justice shall prepare the agenda for each annual or special meeting of the Judicial Conference. Any judge of a court of record shall, when so requested by the Chief Justice, prepare in writing a report on the condition of the business of such court and any problem or situation properly within the purview and ambit of the conference.

Source: SL 1964, ch 109, § 3.