Statistics

The eight counties in north-western South Dakota within the Fourth Judicial Circuit are:  Butte, Corson, Dewey, Harding, Lawrence, Meade, Perkins and Ziebach serving a population of 74,450 and covering a total of 19,063 miles. 

1 – Butte County – pop. 9,475
2 – Corson County – pop. 4,288
3 – Dewey County – pop. 6,112
4 – Harding County – pop. 1,180
5 – Lawrence County – pop. 23,347
6 – Meade County – pop. 24,425
7 – Perkins County – pop. 2,917
8 – Ziebach County – pop. 2,706

Map of South Dakota with the 4th Circuit area of the state highlighted in blue.


In FY2008 [July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008], the Fourth Judicial Circuit processed….. 

·Criminal files:  2,672 felony and class one misdemeanor cases with another 9,050       class  two misdemeanors and petty offense filings


·Civil files:  3,696, including divorce, protection orders, adoptions, probate and other civil cases.

·Juvenile matters:  414 dependency and delinquency cases

·Small claims:  1,901

·Demographic Merges:  4,267

·Records searches:  7,785, for employment backgrounds, criminal histories, genealogy, and
 other inquiries

·Child support receipts:  473 (those receipts not processed through
 Child Support Enforcement)


Other statistics in FY2008 include…..

·Collected $4.5 million in fines, fees, deposits and other costs

·Disbursed $4.5 million to the State, counties, victims and other recipients

·Held 32 jury trials of all types

·Employed 45 people, including judges, court clerk magistrates, court services (probation) staff, drug court staff, court reporters, court administration staff, bailiffs and a law clerk