Bon Homme County
Welcome to Jury Service in Bon Homme County
You have been selected at random to serve as a juror in Bon Homme County. Jury service may require sacrifices on your part, but jury service is an important civic and community duty. Jury service plays an essential role in our system of justice – the right to a trial by a jury made up of persons representing a fair cross-section of the community.
Along with our voting privilege, jury service is one of the most important privileges and responsibilities of citizenship, and one we hope you will carry out with pride. Jury service is a duty, a privilege, and a right guaranteed by the South Dakota and United States Constitutions. Those who serve as jurors have an opportunity to see the courts in action and to actively participate in a fundamental democratic process.
You were selected for jury service from a master jury list comprised of the Bon Homme County Voter Registration and the South Dakota Drivers License lists. You have been assigned to a one year term of court, but at this time, we have no idea how many trials will occur during that term. You will receive a letter one week prior to your term of service notifying you of the specific jury panel to which you have been assigned. The letter will also give you further instructions on the system that this county uses to notify jurors of upcoming trials and on using the web site. If you have already been assigned to a specific panel, you may check for reporting dates and times by going to Juror Reporting Instructions.
The first step in your jury service is to sign and complete your Jury Summons and to complete and return your jury questionnaire to the Clerk of Courts. You may either complete the hard copy questionnaire you received with your Summons, or you may complete the questionnaire online by going to Juror Questionnaire. Completion of the questionnaire does not mean that you will ultimately serve. The questionnaire just indicates that you have received the Summons, and it provides the parties some information about you.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Clerk of Courts in your county. Bon Homme Clerk of Courts 589-4215. We look forward to your service.
Thank you,
Steven Jensen
Presiding Circuit Judge
First Judicial Circuit
Bon Homme County
This was last updated May 16th, 2014
Petit and Grand Jurors have been selected for the year 2014.
There are 6 petit jury panels. When a jury trial is scheduled we ask the judge how many panels he or she needs for the trial. If all the panels are not needed you will not be summoned. If you have any questions feel free to contact us. The juror orientation video can be viewed on-line by clicking on this link. Juror Orientation Video
Grand Jurors usually serve one morning a month at the most. Some months there may not be a Grand Jury scheduled for service.
Petit jurors have been on the average serving once or twice a year. Trials most often have been running 1-2 days.
Jurors do need to be aware that sometimes circumstances arise that may require more than the average service.
The current Petit and Grand Jury panels will complete their service December 31, 2014. If you haven't served on a Jury Trial or Grand Jury Panel, you will still be elligible to serve the next year if your name should be drawn again. Thanks to those that have served. We appreciate your cooperation.
Cell phones are not allowed in the courtroom so anyone attending any court proceedings are asked to leave them at home or remember to put them on silent or off. DO NOT GIVE OUT ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION TO ANYONE THAT CALLS OR STOPS AT YOUR HOME. THE CLERK OF COURTS OFFICE DOESN'T REQUEST INFORMATION THIS WAY. Thank You for your cooperation in these matters. Questions can be directed to my office 589-4215 from 8:00AM to 4:30PM on Monday through Friday.
Bon Homme County
The courthouse is located at 300 W. 18th Avenue in Tyndall. The Clerk of Courts Office is on the 2nd floor and the courtroom is located on the 3rd floor. Courthouse hours are 8:00AM to 4:30PM Monday thru Friday with closure on legal government holidays.
There is a chairlift available for those that need it. If you need assitance there is an inhouse phone on the first floor. Dial 4215 for the Clerk of Courts Office.