{"id":376355,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:07","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/south-dakota-law\/south-dakota-small-claims-courts.html"},"modified":"2024-03-14T10:47:42","modified_gmt":"2024-03-14T15:47:42","slug":"south-dakota-small-claims-courts","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/south-dakota-law\/south-dakota-small-claims-courts.html","title":{"rendered":"South Dakota Small Claims Courts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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South Dakota Small Claims Courts<\/h1>\n
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\n By Samuel Strom, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

South Dakota’s small claims courts decide civil cases involving monetary disputes or damages that do not exceed $12,000. The small claims courts follow simplified procedural rules compared to the district courts. This allows many litigants to pursue or defend against claims without hiring an attorney. However, parties may hire attorneys if they so desire.<\/p>\r\n

The following links provide additional information and self-help resources for parties involved in small claims cases:<\/p>\r\n