In its first argument of the new term, the Supreme Court heard a case on Monday that explored a provision of a law aimed at reducing prison sentences for certain nonviolent drug crimes.
The case focused on part of the First Step Act, bipartisan legislation passed in 2018 aimed at rolling back tough sentencing laws that had caused the country’s prison population to balloon.
Continue reading “On First Day of New Term, Supreme Court Hears Debate Over First Step Act”
South Dakota’s Department of Corrections maintains a list of their most wanted fugitives. These five individuals are all wanted for leaving work release programs. If you have any information on their whereabouts, please contact your local authorities.
The following list contains pictures and pertinent details regarding their identities and offenses. This information serves as a means to raise awareness and facilitate their swift capture to ensure public safety.
Continue reading “South Dakota Most Wanted: Walkaways and Parole Absconders”
While South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem said she was inspecting the state’s National Guard troops in Texas this week, a delegation from the state was set to meet in a trade gathering with buyers, agriculture industry leaders and government officials in Mexico.
South Dakota has significant trade relationship with Mexico, and, according to Noem, an adversarial relationship with Mexican drug cartels she has said bring a large amount of drugs into the state.
Continue reading “Why is South Dakota interested in trade, drugs in Mexico?”
It’s hard to imagine a less contentious or more innocent word than “and.”
But how to interpret that simple conjunction has prompted a complicated legal fight that lands in the Supreme Court on Oct. 2, the first day of its new term. What the justices decide could affect thousands of prison sentences each year.
In arguments before the Eighth Circuit Wednesday, lawyers for the state of Iowa fought to uphold two state laws designed to protect livestock production facilities from undercover investigations aimed at publicly exposing animal cruelty.
In defending the 2021 statute that makes it a crime to use a camera or electronic surveillance device while trespassing, Deputy Attorney General Leif Olson told the panel of judges that trespassers cannot cloak their illegal actions in the practice of journalism.
Continue reading “Iowa defends ‘ag-gag’ laws before federal appeals court”
Governor Kristi Noem has appointed Robert “Bob” Perry as Secretary of the Department of Public Safety. Craig Price, the current secretary, will retire from state government.
Perry’s appointment will be effective on Sept. 22.
“Craig Price has been an outstanding leader and public servant throughout his law enforcement career. His experience, insight, and discernment have been incredibly valuable to me while serving as governor,” said Noem. “We have seen many unprecedented challenges over the past several years here in South Dakota including floods, storms, violent protests, and a worldwide pandemic. Craig was always a steady hand who brought calm to every situation and focused on finding solutions. He has been one of my closest advisors and a dear friend. He has my highest respect. May God richly bless him in his retirement from the State of South Dakota.”
Continue reading “Robert Perry named South Dakota Secretary of Public Safety”
A panel of state lawmakers has wrapped up work on ideas that could help ease financial strain on South Dakota counties.
The final list on Wednesday from the Legislature’s Study Committee on County Funding and Services included eight proposals and two resolutions.
The chairs, Republican Rep. Roger Chase and Republican Sen. Randy Deibert, will deliver a report of the work to the Legislature’s Executive Board. If the board approves it, the Legislative Research Council would then assemble drafts for the 2024 session that opens January 8.
Continue reading “State lawmakers propose ways to help South Dakota counties”
Other than Hawaii, every U.S. state has a state police force. Although there is some variance, state troopers in each state perform basically the same tasks.
State troopers are tasked with enforcing traffic laws on state-controlled roads and highways. They give first aid to victims of vehicle accidents, provide backup support to local, county, and federal law enforcement agencies, and oversee road closures during evacuations, serious weather conditions, and vehicle crashes. State troopers have arrest powers and carry firearms.
Continue reading “What It Takes To Join the State Police, in Every State”
Several Mondays each year, Michael Jacobsma heads to the Sioux County Courthouse for court hearings involving criminal defendants he represents.
There’s a good chance the Orange City attorney will have hearings scheduled in O’Brien County at the same time. Perhaps Lyon and Osceola counties, too. Or maybe Plymouth, Clay or Woodbury counties — or all of them.
Known as court service days, when judges across Northwest Iowa hear motions, conduct pretrial conferences and take up other matters in criminal cases, Mondays routinely present Jacobsma and other private attorneys, who, like him, have agreed to accept judges’ appointments to represent defendants who can’t afford a lawyer, with a dilemma. How to make it from one county to another for all those hearings?
Continue reading “Iowa faces shortage of court-appointed attorneys”
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces the Crime in South Dakota 2022 Report, which indicates that the number of criminal offenses reported statewide in 2022 were consistent with 2021.
South Dakota law enforcement agencies reported the number of total criminal offenses during 2022 were 68,768, which is slightly down from 69,430 in 2021. There were 36,390 arrests made in 2022, which is also a decrease from 38,160 recorded in 2021.
Continue reading “AG Releases ‘22 ‘Crime In South Dakota’ Report”