[1] The Supreme Court is also authorized to issue original or remedial writs and provide advice to the governor regarding the scope of executive powers.

The first court consisted of three justices: Philemon Bliss, Lorenzo P. Williston, and Joseph L. Williams, appointed by President Abraham Lincoln.

Justices Dighton Corson, Alphonso G. Kellam, and John E. Bennett were elected and sworn-in October 15, 1889.

Since there was no capitol building yet for the new state, the oath-taking ceremony took place on the Hughes County courthouse veranda.

[4] In 2002, Judith Meierhenry was appointed by Governor William Janklow as the first female Supreme Court Justice.

At the time of her appointment she was the only Justice on the South Dakota Supreme Court to not receive admission via diploma privilege.