The Office of the Public Advocate is organized under South Dakota law to provide legal representation to indigents and other qualified persons entitled to court-appointed attorneys under the state and federal constitutions and statues.

Public defenders are provided individuals who cannot afford an attorney for criminal cases, including both magistrate and circuit court, abuse and neglect cases, juvenile matters, mental health committals, and alcohol committals. Applications for counsel are available at the Clerk of Courts Office, 425 N. Dakota Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104 or https://ujs.sd.gov/uploads/secondcircuit/ApplicationforLawyer.pdf If a Judge determines an individual meets the financial qualifications for a court-appointed attorney, an attorney will be assigned. Court-appointed attorney rates for the state of South Dakota are reviewed and set by the South Dakota Supreme Court on an annual basis. Clients will be billed at an hourly rate of $100.00, and reimbursement for such services may be ordered pursuant to the provisions of SDCL 23A-40-10.

Office that provides assistance, during regular business hours, for a variety of court matters, including: - Case filing including small claims, divorces, protection orders, and civil cases - Payment of child support, restitution, and fines - Records of an individual's traffic or criminal offenses - Involuntary drug or alcohol commitment petitions - Magistrate court proceedings - Circuit Court proceedings - Jury duty information - Emancipation for minors Visit https://ujslawhelp.sd.gov/onlineforms.aspx anytime of day to view/print forms including: - Application for court appointed counsel - Child Support - Custody - Divorce - Domestic protection order - Expungement - Guardianship and conservatorship - Name change - Records of an individual's traffic or criminal offenses - Small claims - Spanish forms - Stalking protection order - Vulnerable adult protection order

Provides defense to those individuals who cannot afford an attorney. Public defenders are provided for criminal cases, abuse and neglect matters, and some limited civil contempt.