PIERRE, SD – Many of those in the legal system are hearing the cries for justice following the death of George Floyd in the custody of Minneapolis Police.
Steven Jensen, who will be the next Chief Justice of the South Dakota Supreme Court, says the need for change is apparent
“What we’ve seen over the past week and a half between the death of George Floyd and the response to that – if that doesn’t move us or make us really think about our process and what we’re doing, to hear the voices out there and the debate that’s going on – then God help us.”
Jensen, who was appointed to the state’s Supreme Court in 2017, says there are many issues that need attention. “There are a lot of systemic issues that are being raised that need to be considered.”
The Chief Justice serves as the head of the South Dakota court system with almost 600 employees and a budget of nearly 60 million dollars. Jensen says the court system is responsible for delivering justice to all.
“We’re ultimately responsible to see that justice is done in every case, for every person that comes in front of our courtroom and in front of our judges. That’s part of what I’m talking about in terms of our judicial excellence and maintaining that, making sure that we have a process that is not only fair but that the public sees and believes is fair. That’s significant.”
Jensen will follow long-time Chief Justice David Gilbertson who is retiring at the end of the year. He says he has watched and learned from Gilbertson in his time on the high court.
“A lot of what I’ll be doing is an extension of what Justice Gilbertson has put in place over the last 19 years. Obviously as situations come up, things change such as with the coronavirus. We adapt and move forward.”
