1. Statewide Legal Aid Organizations
- Dakota Plains Legal Services (DPLS)
- Serves tribal communities (Pine Ridge, Rosebud, Cheyenne River, and Lower Brule reservations) and low-income residents in central and western South Dakota.
- Website: dakotaplains.org
- Phone: 1-605-342-0009
- East River Legal Services (ERLS)
- Provides civil legal aid to low-income residents in eastern South Dakota (Sioux Falls, Brookings, Watertown, and surrounding counties).
- Website: eastriverlegalservices.org
- Phone: 1-800-952-3015
- South Dakota Legal Services (SD Legal)
- Statewide coverage for civil legal issues (housing, family law, public benefits, and consumer rights).
- Website: sdlegalservices.org
- Phone: 1-800-952-3015
2. Directories & Search Tools
- LawHelp South Dakota
- Search for legal resources by topic: lawhelpsd.org.
- South Dakota State Bar Lawyer Referral Service
- Low-cost consultations: sdsbf.org.
- Legal Services Corporation (LSC) Directory
- Federally funded programs in SD: lsc.gov/find-legal-aid.
- South Dakota Courts Self-Help Center
- Forms, guides, and referrals: uojportal.sd.gov.
3. Hotlines
- South Dakota Legal Services Hotline: 1-800-952-3015
- Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-430-7233 (South Dakota Network Against Family Violence & Sexual Assault).
- Native American Legal Aid: Contact Dakota Plains Legal Services or tribal courts (e.g., Oglala Sioux Tribe, Rosebud Sioux Tribe).
- Senior Legal Assistance: Contact SD Legal Services for issues affecting seniors (e.g., elder abuse, Medicare).
4. Additional Resources
- 211 South Dakota: Dial 211 or visit helplinecenter.org for community referrals.
- Pro Bono Programs:
- South Dakota Pro Bono Program: sdsbf.org/pro-bono (volunteer attorneys for low-income residents).
- Immigration Legal Aid:
- Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota: lsssd.org (immigration assistance).
- Native American Legal Services:
- Native American Rights Fund (NARF): narf.org (national advocacy for tribal rights).
- Tribal Courts: Contact local tribal governments (e.g., Yankton Sioux Tribe, Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate).
- Law School Clinics:
- University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law Clinics: usd.edu/law/clinics (family law, criminal defense, and Indian law).
5. Self-Help Centers
- South Dakota Judicial Self-Help Center:
- Free resources and forms: uojportal.sd.gov/SDSCPublicAccess/selfhelp.
- Pennington County Law Library (Rapid City): co.pennington.sd.us (access to legal materials).
Note
- Eligibility: Most programs prioritize low-income residents (typically under 200% of the federal poverty level) and specific case types (e.g., eviction, domestic violence, public benefits).
- Apply Online: South Dakota Legal Services offers an online intake form: sdlegalservices.org/apply.
- Tribal Members: Contact Dakota Plains Legal Services or local tribal courts for specialized assistance.