South Dakota Unified Judicial System

10/18/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/18/2024 07:55

New Circuit Court Judge to be Sworn into Office in Sioux Falls

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Oct. 18, 2024
Contact:Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer, [email protected]or 605.773.2031

New Circuit Court Judge to be Sworn into Office in Sioux Falls

PIERRE, S.D.-The Second Judicial Circuit will hold a swearing-in of Alison D. Nelson as its newest circuit court judge.

The investiture ceremony will take place on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at 3 p.m. CDT in Courtroom 5B at the Minnehaha County Courthouse located at 425 N. Dakota Ave. in Sioux Falls. The event is open to the public. Following the ceremony, attendees are invited to enjoy refreshments provided by the Second Circuit Bar Association.

Nelson was born and raised in Montgomery County, Md. She graduated from Wake Forest University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and a minor in biology. She attended law school at American University, Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C., and graduated magna cum laude. Nelson began her legal career as an officer in the United States Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps.

Nelson met her husband during her military service, and in 2017 they moved their family to his home state of South Dakota. Since residing in South Dakota, Nelson has served as a prosecutor first in Minnehaha County and most recently in Lincoln County.

Nelson will serve as a judge for the Second Judicial Circuit, which includes Lincoln and Minnehaha counties.

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About South Dakota Courts:The Unified Judicial System (UJS) consists of the Supreme Court, Circuit Courts and State Court Administrator's Office. The Supreme Court is the state's highest court and final decision maker on South Dakota law. The Circuit Courts are the state's trial courts where criminal proceedings and civil litigation are handled. The State Court Administrator's Office provides centralized administrative assistance and support services for the South Dakota judiciary. Learn more at https://ujs.sd.gov.