After being closed to the public since 9/11 (Sept. 11, 2001), visitors to the South Dakota State Capitol Building in Pierre are once again able to tour the inside of the state Supreme Court Courtroom.
The Supreme Court Justices made the decision to reopen the courtroom to public tours in an effort to build trust and confidence in the courts “through transparency, communication, education and community engagement.”
Located on the second floor of the Capitol, this Courtroom is one of the few original Supreme Court courtrooms in the United States that’s still used for court proceedings. There’s a mahogany bench for the justices and polished mahogany woodwork and furniture throughout the rest of the room that’s original to the building.
Behind the justices’ bench is a mural titled “The Mercy of the Law” by Charles Holloway that dates back to the construction of the State Capitol Building. The painting is also referred to as “Gate of Justice.”
In 1989, the Supreme Court Courtroom was restored to what it looked like in 1910. The walls and furniture were repainted and refinished to match– as closely as possible– the original design and brown, tan and gold colors of the chamber. The walls and ceilings are typical of the late Victorian period when the building was constructed.
The South Dakota Supreme Court Courtroom is open for public viewing Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST. The public can also attend proceedings when the Supreme Court hears oral arguments during its terms of court.
There are two levels of court in South Dakota: the Supreme Court and circuit courts. The South Dakota Supreme Court is the state’s highest court and makes final decisions on law. Learn more about the South Dakota Supreme Court at https://ujs.sd.gov/supreme-court.
Courtesy photo.
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