Judicial emergency measure offered
Posted: Wednesday, January 17, 2007
PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- A measure that would allow the state court system to respond in times of emergency was introduced Tuesday in the South Dakota Legislature.
Supreme Court Chief Justice David Gilbertson said the need for such a law became evident when the Corson County Courthouse was destroyed last year by an arsonist and when many courthouses were closed for several days during the 2005 Thanksgiving ice storm.
"It has become very obvious that we as a judicial system must look at our ability to respond to natural and man-made disasters," he said.
The bill, HB1093, would allow the state Supreme Court to declare judicial emergencies in such instances.
That would allow the high court to move court business to other locations and extend legal deadlines in criminal cases and civil lawsuits.
Supreme Court Chief Justice David Gilbertson said the need for such a law became evident when the Corson County Courthouse was destroyed last year by an arsonist and when many courthouses were closed for several days during the 2005 Thanksgiving ice storm.
"It has become very obvious that we as a judicial system must look at our ability to respond to natural and man-made disasters," he said.
The bill, HB1093, would allow the state Supreme Court to declare judicial emergencies in such instances.
That would allow the high court to move court business to other locations and extend legal deadlines in criminal cases and civil lawsuits.
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