The Law Office of the Pennington County Public Defender

As our Rising 3L summer internships come to an end, we’d like to thank Tracy Eich and Michael Geiler for their hard work and dedication to justice. We hope you both have an amazing final year at the University of South Dakota! #TeamPDO #legalinternship #justice

The Jeff W. Davis Memorial Courtroom is a fitting reflection of Judge Davis's vision throughout his years of service. His presence will be dearly missed, but never forgotten.

South Dakota is developing a new statewide office to improve how legal representation is provided to those who cannot afford an attorney and have a right to counsel under state or federal law. The Commission on Indigent Legal Services is hiring a chief defender to lead the new Office of Indigent Legal Services. The chief defender will direct a team of public defense professionals to provide statewide indigent representation services in appeals of criminal, habeas corpus, and abuse or neglect of child cases in South Dakota. This person will provide direction and guidance for the Office of Indigent Legal Services, as well as perform highly-advanced managerial work. Applicants for the chief defender position must have a juris doctor and a license to practice law in the state of South Dakota or ability to obtain licensure prior to appointment. The position is open until filled, with resume review to begin on June 17, 2024. View the job listing at https://bit.ly/44TpTaQ.

We want to recognize our outstanding staff for all the work they do, day in and day out. From answering the phone and assisting clients, keeping attorneys organized, setting up treatment, filing motions, and picking juries… you make this office run smoothly. We want to give a special shout-out and thanks to Ericka, Brandy, Nicole, Jamie, Kelly, Jennifer, Mikayla, Tom, Dylan, Cyndy, Padriac, Jake, Randy, and Colette. Today is a day we thank you for being so amazing at your job!

An often overlooked consequence of a death penalty case is the toll it takes on defense lawyers. Not only is there a crushing workload in defending a death penalty case, but the weight of the responsibility of trying to keep the government from executing their client falls directly on the defense’s shoulders, mind, and heart. According to a 2010 judicial conference report, the average amount of time spent by defense counsel on a death penalty case was 3,557 hours between 1998 and 2004. That translates to nearly two years of continuous work for one attorney. However, that report is dated and practice standards have changed significantly since 2004; so, this is likely a low estimate of what is expected from attorneys assigned to a death penalty case today. https://lnkd.in/gWh6efJv

The Law Office of the Pennington County Public Defender wants to express its appreciation for all private attorneys who accept court appointments. They play a critical role in the criminal justice system, which would literally collapse without their willingness to accept cases at the court appointed reduced rate set by the SD Supreme Court. Further, there are many valid reasons for status hearings as a mechanism for delaying cases for all the participants. They include waiting for complete discovery from the State, awaiting a plea offer from the State, waiting for the lab results from the State lab in Pierre, clients completing their treatment or classes prior to sentencing as required by the law, clients participating in diversion until they complete diversion requirements, clients waiting for a treatment needs assessment and working towards an inpatient treatment bed date, awaiting a specialty court application and decision by the specialty court team, competency assessment psychological reports, forensic psychological reports, awaiting the state contacting an alleged victim as to their opinion about a plea offer, and many, many other valid reasons. All participants in the criminal justice system want to see cases move as quickly as possible and work every day to make that happen. We want to thank all the public defenders, conflict attorneys at Dakota Plains Legal Services, and the private bar who are willing to accept court appointments. #TeamPDO #CriminalJusticeReform   https://lnkd.in/dV9Fj4dg

UJS' bill to create the Commission on Indigent Legal Services and Office of Indigent Legal Services, HB 1057, was signed into law by Gov. Kristi Noem on Monday, March 18, 2024. “A strong criminal justice system supports our American way of life. It upholds the rights of our people. That includes the Sixth Amendment right to legal counsel,” said Gov. Noem. “The Commission on Indigent Legal Services will oversee a statewide appellate defender office to handle criminal appeals, child abuse and neglect appeals, and habeas appeals. This office would also provide training and mentorship to rural attorneys.” Read more: https://bit.ly/497vo6e #SouthDakotaCourts

Big shout out to our social workers, Holly Buehler and Kristyn Enzminger, who tirelessly work to help navigate our clients through the collateral consequences of a criminal justice system that can be confusing and frustrating. Our office and community are better for having you!!! ❤️

This week we said congratulations and good bye to our resident RBG. We are excited for your journey as a staff attorney for the SD Supreme Court, but we will miss your kind spirit. Best wishes Lori Goad – you will be missed! ❤️Your PDO Family