LAKE COUNTY CLERK OF COURTS
MADISON, SOUTH DAKOTA

Linda Klosterman, Clerk
Sarah Kearin, Deputy
Phone: 605-256-5644
Fax: 605-256-5080

Hon. Tim D. Tucker
Kim Callies, reporter
Phone: 605-256-5285
Fax: 605-256-5012

Court Services
Jason Schneider, CSO
John Tappe, CSO
Samantha Taylor, secretary
Phone: 605-256-5645
Fax: 605-256-5012

Lauren Kaufman
Law Clerk
Phone: 605-480-3508

Address:
P O Box 507
200 East Center Street
Madison, SD 57042

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Hon. Lee Ann Pierce, Magistrate
Phone: 605-688-4200
Fax: 605-688-4952

Mailing Address:
314 6th Avenue, Ste 6
Brookings, SD 57006-2085
Lake County is one of 14 counties in the 3rd Judicial Circuit of the Unified Judicial System of South Dakota. The circuit court is a general trial court with 6 circuit court judges and 1 magistrate judge. Judge Tucker is chambered in Lake County. The other counties in the circuit are Beadle, Brookings, Clark, Codington, Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, Hand, Jerauld, Kingsbury, Miner, Moody, and Sanborn. Compliance with court orders is monitored by a Court Services unit. Administrative direction for the Circuit is provided by a presiding judge and circuit court administrator with offices in Brookings. All staff, including law clerk, court reporters, clerks of court, and court services officers are employees of the State of South Dakota. The State Court Administrator's office is in Pierre.


The FY 2010 work of the court is summarized below:

Criminal cases
Felony cases50
Class I misdemeanors237
Class II misdemeanors1546

Civil cases
Domestic relations177
Civil cases272
Appeals5
Probate cases60
Juvenile cases68
Small claims cases306
Child support receipts38
Record search requests154

Jury Trials
2

BASIC FUNCTIONS OF CLERK’S OFFICE

  • Assist with requests for information on court processes, fees, court dates, forms, options
  • Open new files: assign case numbers, prepare folder, create a Register of Action, collect fees
  • Receipt fines, fees, costs, bail, restitution, child support
  • Maintain a calendar of court dates and action taken in court
  • Support judges in the courtroom
  • Maintain files: update Registers of Action, file papers, store and retrieve records
  • Case management: file status review, issue subpoenas, warrants, writs
  • Summons and qualify jurors, assist judge in juror selection process, authorize payment
  • Lay magistrate functions: perform marriages, set bond, process uncontested matters
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