S.D. 2d Jud. Cir. Media Information

Second Judicial Circuit - Media Information

MEDIA CONTACT/LIAISON

Pursuant to Supreme Court Rules on Expanded Media Coverage, SDCL 16-20 (Rule 10-9),

Circuit Administrator Karl Thoennes serves as media liaison for the Second Judicial Circuit.

Karl can be reached at 605-367-5920, cell 605-310-3732, or karl.thoennes@ujs.state.sd.us. The

circumstances of cases and the directions and preferences of individual judges can vary

significantly however, so in general the Media Coordinator and Court Administration will

closely coordinate with, and defer to, the judge presiding in each case on media access and

communication.

More information regarding resources for the media and how to request expanded media

coverage is available on the UJS website at https://ujs.sd.gov/for-the-media.

The Second Judicial Circuit maintains an email distribution group for messages that may be of

interest to local (greater Sioux Falls area) media. The use of an email group ensures that all

media outlets receive messages at the same time for even and fair distribution. To be included in

that group, to update contact information or be deleted from the group, please contact Court

Administration. The messages may include information on swearing-in ceremonies for new

judges, building or weather closures or declared (administrative) state holidays. In court cases of

particular media interest, the messages may include notifications that a jury has reached a verdict

and the time when a verdict will be taken or read, or that a particular order has been issued.

RECORDS & INFORMATION ACCESS

Many media outlets are familiar with or currently use eCourts access offered to the public by the

Unified Judicial System, and the UJS website provides additional information on records and

access to case information in general on other pages. In addition, public terminals with access to

court cases are available at both the Lincoln and Minnehaha County courthouses. Requests for

access to copies of documents in a case file should be directed to the clerk of court’s office in

each county.

MEDIA ACCESS/PUBLIC AREAS

The Minnehaha County Courthouse in Sioux Falls happens to be a building used exclusively and

entirely by the court, so pursuant to Judicial Canons and court rules, the general public is

prohibited from photography or activating audio or video recording devices in the courtrooms

and in lobby areas. Special arrangements may be made for exceptional circumstances like some

family adoptions, ceremonial events, school tours or mock trials. Media representatives are

generally allowed to photograph or video and conduct interviews in public areas of the

courthouse, although we request a courtesy notification to Court Administration so we can

confirm the access with Security staff. In Minnehaha County, judges may sometimes set a

“same-floor” boundary on media coverage in lobby areas, which allows photography, video

recording or conducting interviews in any lobby or public areas of the courthouse except on the

same floor as the courtroom itself. When a “same-floor” boundary is set by a judge, Court

Administration will advise the media and Security.

In the Lincoln County Courthouse, which is currently shared with the County, the County makes

its own determinations on the use of cameras or recording devices in and around county offices.

In areas “immediately adjacent to” courtrooms and court offices however, particularly since

juveniles, attorneys and clients, witnesses, jurors and parties to confidential cases may be

present, the general public may not activate cameras or video or audio recording devices in those

areas without the permission of the judge presiding. Similarly, we would request a courtesy call

to Court Administration or the Lincoln Clerk of Court’s office if media intends to photograph,

record or conduct interviews in lobby areas adjacent to courtrooms or offices.

DECORUM

Court cases including trials can vary widely in timing and circumstances. In some cases

involving high levels of media coverage, the judge presiding over the case may issue media

decorum orders setting out more specific directives on coverage, activity and access. Those

orders are relatively rare, but if such an order is issued, Court Administration will distribute the

order to local media at the judge’s direction.

Courtroom seating is also sometimes specifically designated or reserved, but again that is

relatively rare; if a judge directs reserved seating, the seating will be marked, and an email will

likely be sent to the local media email group.

From time to time, media representatives have inquired about video access to public court

hearings, beyond the livestream initial appearances described below. Although the Second

Circuit is very well equipped for video, that access is generally offered only to parties or

participants in cases themselves as the courtrooms are otherwise open to the public, and video

arrangements involve significant staff time and sometimes require setting up portable equipment.

From time to time, media outlets will inquire about getting copies of courthouse security camera

video footage. Security in South Dakota county courthouses, including security video systems, is

generally provided, operated and maintained by each county Sheriff’s office, so any such

inquiries should be directed to the Sheriff’s Department.

CAMERAS AND EQUIPMENT IN THE COURTROOM

As discussed in greater detail elsewhere on the UJS website, cameras, video equipment, and

recording devices are allowed in the courtroom only if specifically authorized by order of the

judge presiding over the case. Further information can be found in Supreme Court Rule 10-09

and SDCL Chapter 16-20 at https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/16-20.

Cell phones, pagers, beepers, tablets, smart phones, or similar electronic devices must not be

audible in the courtrooms and are to be activated only with the permission of the judge presiding.

According to the circumstances of different cases judges do vary on allowing electronic

reporting or posting updates from the courtrooms, so we would encourage any media

representatives to contact Court Administration for any questions or clarification.

INITIAL APPEARANCES IN CRIMINAL CASES

In Minnehaha County, initial court appearances for in-custody defendants in criminal cases are

held every working day of the week in multiple sessions and are livestreamed at

https://www.sd.net/ujs/UJSCourt10/ That access is often helpful to the media for information on

the setting of bond or conditions of release and initial charges. We should note however that

pursuant to Supreme Court Rules and under the Supreme Court’s authorization for livestreaming,

that video feed may not be recorded or re-broadcast without the Court’s express permission in

individual cases.

DATA INQUIRIES

From time to time, the Second Circuit receives requests from the media for case statistics or

trends or other aggregate information. The Second Circuit regularly compiles a wide array of

local (circuit level) case data and trends and analyses, and our case management system does

offer some powerful reporting options. For relatively straightforward data like overall caseload

and filings, we are happy to be as helpful as we can to the media. For statewide or multiple

circuit data however, or highly specialized data like offenses charged, those inquiries are best

directed to State Court Administration in Pierre. Learn more at https://ujs.sd.gov/about-

us/public-information. We are often asked, for example, for data on arrests involving specific

controlled substances, but as a practical matter we are not able to extract data at that level of

detail.

In addition to State Court Administration, media outlets may also find it helpful to contact the

Attorney General’s office which regularly complies and publishes an extensive collection of

crime data. The Sioux Falls Police Department also publishes and annual report with a number of

statistical tables.

MEDIA CONTACT WITH JUDGES

The court will sometime receive media inquiries directed to judges themselves. Court

Administration will routinely relay such inquiries to the judges, but judges are firmly bound by

judicial canons and obligations of fairness and impartiality and are generally not able to

comment or grant interviews on pending cases, including cases that may be concluded on the

trial court level but may still be subject to appeal thereafter. A copy of the judicial canons can be

found at https://ujs.sd.gov/judicial-qualifications-commission/judicial-canons.

Rev. 7/2/25 2nd Cir Admin