Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Magistrate Court held in Aberdeen?

Magistrate Court is held every Monday afternoon, Wednesday and Friday mornings at the courtroom on third floor of the Municipal Building, commonly referred to as the Police Station, 123 S. Lincoln Street, Aberdeen, SD  57401.

The clerk in each of our counties, excluding Brown County, assigns both magistrate and circuit court cases to the judge who handles that particular county.   To view which judge handles a particular county, please click on Calendars.  The only exception to this rule would be if one of the parties asks that the judge be excused or if the judge happens to have a conflict with the case, the court action will be assigned to a different judge by our Presiding Judge.  

Bond is the amount of money that a defendant must pay in order to be released from jail.  A cash bond means that the defendant must post the money himself or have someone post it for him.   A surety bond means that a bondsman may post the bond on the defendant’s behalf.  A personal recognizance (PR) bond means that the defendant does not have to post any money to be released.  When deciding the type and amount of bond, the judge will consider whether the defendant poses a danger to the community and/or is a risk to flee.  When making that determination, the judge considers the type of charges against the defendant; whether the defendant is a resident of the community, and if so, for how long; whether the defendant is employed; whether the defendant has family members residing within the community; and whether the defendant has ever failed to appear before.  The judge may also place certain conditions on a defendant’s bond such as not drinking alcohol or not having contact with the alleged victim of an assault (a no contact provision is mandatory in cases of domestic violence and cannot be lifted while the case is ongoing).

If the judge suspends or revokes a defendant’s driver’s license, the judge may grant a permit to drive for work, school, court-ordered counseling, or medical appointments.  That includes dropping off and picking up children from daycare so that the defendant may attend work or school.  A permit does not include general household chores.  The judge is not authorized to issue a permit for a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).  The application for a work permit is obtained through the Clerk of Court’s Office or on this website, and you must turn in a valid driver’s license and show proof of insurance to obtain a work permit.  The judge is not authorized to issue a work or school permit if the Department of Driver Licensing, not the judge, takes a defendant’s license.  If a defendant receives a work or school permit and drives outside of that permit, the defendant will be charged with a new offense, and the judge will not re-issue a work permit.  A defendant who has had his driver’s license taken for DUI or no insurance must file an SR22 form with the state and should contact his insurance agent to find out how.  A defendant may call the Department of Driver Licensing (1-800-952-3696) to find out how to get his license back after his suspension or revocation has expired.

Fines, court-appointed attorney’s fees, and restitution are all paid for at the Clerk of Court’s window, although the payment arrangements for each may be made differently.  A defendant must make a payment agreement for fines with the Clerk of Courts Office, but a defendant must make a payment agreement for court-appointed attorney’s fees and restitution with either the Clerks of Courts Office or Court Services Office, depending on the county.  When making a payment at the Clerk of Court’s Office, a defendant must be sure to indicate to what file the money should be applied and what the money is for (fines, court-appointed attorney’s fees, or restitution).  A defendant must pay at least $25 per month, and that amount may be more depending on the defendant’s resources and the amount owed.