States
Jury duty in South Dakota: pay, employer rules and excuses
Independent site, not a court. Answer your summons and ask for an excuse only through the court that summoned you.
Estimate South Dakota juror pay, $50 when seated or a $10 appearance fee, plus mileage, and check the breastfeeding, new-parent and age 80 excuses.
What jury duty in South Dakota will pay you
You receive for 3 days
$150
| Court fee | $150 |
| Employer, by law | No duty to keep paying wages under this law |
| A normal 3 days of work | $600 |
| Income lost | $450 |
| Age rule | 80 and over, may ask to be excused |
South Dakota: $50 for each day you sit on a case; if you are called but not seated, a $10 appearance fee. Paid by the county. Before tax. The employee keeps job status, pay rate and seniority, but paying wages during the absence is at the employer's discretion. Firing or suspending a juror is a Class 2 misdemeanor.
All jury rules in South DakotaSouth Dakota pays $50 for each day you sit on a case, but only a $10 appearance fee if you are called and not seated, under SDCL 16-13-46; the county pays, and mileage follows the state rate for each mile actually traveled. The law keeps your job status, pay rate and seniority, but paying wages during the absence is up to the employer, and firing or suspending a juror is a Class 2 misdemeanor (SDCL 16-13-41.1, 16-13-41.2). People 80 or older may ask to be excused; the judge gives that substantial weight but can refuse. Each circuit's presiding judge decides how panels are used, and your term appears in the UJS Juror Portal. If you have already served since the current master list was drawn, you are skipped; the list is compiled each year. Unavailable dates can be entered in the online questionnaire. Contempt brings a fine of $50 to $500, and ignoring a second order of attachment can mean up to 10 days in county jail.
Statutes and court pages read by Radif Partners on October 29, 2026 · Method and sources
Seated versus called in South Dakota
Pay in South Dakota depends on whether you end up on a jury. If you report but are not seated, the county pays a $10 appearance fee. Once you sit on a case, each day pays $50. Mileage is added for the miles you actually travel, and the court system lists $0.76 per mile round trip. If you were only called for selection, count those days at $10 rather than $50.
New-parent and breastfeeding requests in South Dakota
South Dakota names specific family situations. You may ask to be excused if you are breastfeeding a baby under one year, or if you are the parent of a baby under six weeks old or one expected during your service. These requests must be made in writing within 10 days of receiving the summons. Clergy whose religious beliefs conflict with service may also ask, as may people 80 or older, and the presiding judge can approve other reasons. Send a written request to the clerk of courts; the presiding judge decides. Students should contact the clerk directly, and written proof may be requested.
The rules in South Dakota, law by law
| Rule | What the law or court says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Juror pay | $50 a day | SDCL 16-13-46 |
| Mileage | State mileage rate for each mile actually traveled (UJS lists $0.76 per mile, round trip) | SDCL 16-13-46 |
| Employer must keep paying | No | SDCL 16-13-41.1, 16-13-41.2 |
| Job protected | Yes | SDCL 16-13-41.1, 16-13-41.2 |
| Age | 80 and over: may ask to be excused | SDCL 16-13-10.3 |
| Length of service | Each circuit's presiding judge decides how jury panels are used and summoned; your term of service is shown in the UJS Juror Portal. | sdlegislature.gov |
| Before another summons | not specified by the state | sdlegislature.gov |
| Postponing | Enter unavailable dates in the online questionnaire or tell the local clerk of courts; written proof may be requested. Students contact the clerk. | ujs.sd.gov |
| Not showing up | Contempt of court: fine of $50 to $500; up to 10 days in county jail if you ignore a second order of attachment. | SDCL 16-13-45 |
Excuses and postponement in South Dakota
Send a written request to the clerk of courts; the presiding judge decides. Breastfeeding/new-parent requests go in writing within 10 days of the summons. Enter unavailable dates in the online questionnaire or tell the local clerk of courts; written proof may be requested. Students contact the clerk.
Can I be excused or postpone?
South Dakota
No ground named: ask to postpone
| Age rule | 80+, on request |
Send a written request to the clerk of courts; the presiding judge decides. Breastfeeding/new-parent requests go in writing within 10 days of the summons. Enter unavailable dates in the online questionnaire or tell the local clerk of courts; written proof may be requested. Students contact the clerk.
A request is decided by the court, often with proof (a doctor's note, a school schedule). Ignoring a summons is not an excuse.
Official juror page: ujs.sd.gov. Answer your summons and file any request there or as your summons says.