South Dakota Unified Judicial System

10/09/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/09/2024 21:31

New Magistrate Judge Appointed in the Second Judicial Circuit

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Sept. 10, 2024
Contact:Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer
[email protected]| 605.773.2031

New Magistrate Judge Appointed in the Second Judicial Circuit

PIERRE, S.D.-The Unified Judicial System is pleased to announce that the South Dakota Supreme Court has appointed Alison D. Nelson as a magistrate judge for the Second Judicial Circuit, which includes Lincoln and Minnehaha counties.

Nelson will fill a magistrate judge vacancy created with Judge Eric C. Johnson's recent appointment as a circuit court judge for the Second Judicial Circuit.

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 take the bench on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, with a formal swearing-in ceremony to follow sometime thereafter at the Minnehaha County Courthouse in Sioux Falls.

View Alison D. Nelson's headshot

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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.