South Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven Jensen, left, and USD Knudson School of Law Dean Neil Fulton address the Sioux Falls Downtown Rotary Club on April 29, 2024. (John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight)
Leaders within the state court system asked for patience on Wednesday as they pledged to address deficiencies in South Dakota’s system for delivering legal representation to people who can’t afford lawyers.
State Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven Jensen and other officials conducted a virtual press conference two days after the release of a report that outlined challenges facing the state’s public defense framework.
Despite the sweeping nature of some of the report’s recommendations, Jensen said the state Unified Judicial System is committed to following through.
“Honestly, it’s going to be difficult, it’s going to be a lot of work, and it’s going to require some discussions about who will fund that system going forward,” Jensen said. “But given our history in South Dakota, the widespread support and recognition of the need for change, I’m optimistic we can get it done.”