South Dakota Unified Judicial System

01/07/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/07/2025 11:40

Judge Christina Klinger Reappointed as Presiding Judge of Sixth Judicial Circuit

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: January 7, 2025
Contact:Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer, [email protected], 605.773.2031

Judge Christina Klinger Reappointed as Presiding Judge of Sixth Judicial Circuit

PIERRE, S.D.-Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen announced today the reappointment of the Honorable Christina Klinger, Pierre, as Presiding Judge for the Sixth Judicial Circuit. Judge Klinger's reappointment follows the reselection of Jensen as Chief Justice of the South Dakota Supreme Court.

Pursuant to Article V, Section 11 of the South Dakota Constitution, presiding judges are appointed by the chief justice and serve at the chief justice's pleasure. Presiding judges are administrative heads of their respective circuits. The Sixth Judicial Circuit consists of Bennett, Gregory, Haakon, Hughes, Hyde, Jackson, Jones, Lyman, Mellette, Potter, Stanley, Sully, Todd and Tripp counties.

"Judge Klinger is committed to excellence and dedicated to ensuring the courts in the Sixth Judicial Circuit uphold their commitment to fairness and integrity," said Chief Justice Jensen. "She is to be commended for her leadership of the circuit."

Judge Klinger received her undergraduate degree from the University of South Dakota in 2000 and her juris doctor from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 2003. She worked as a law clerk for the Third Judicial Circuit from 2003 to 2004 and then in private law practice. Judge Klinger was appointed as a circuit court judge for the Sixth Judicial Circuit in 2019 and has served as presiding judge since 2023.

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For a photo of Judge Klinger, click here.

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.