Pennington County Criminal Records
What Is Pennington County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Pennington County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to South Dakota Codified Laws § 23-5-1, which establishes the state's criminal identification system and record-keeping requirements.
Criminal records encompass several distinct categories of documentation:
- Arrest Records: Documents created when law enforcement takes a person into custody, including booking information, fingerprints, and photographs
- Court Records: Official documentation of criminal proceedings, including charges, hearings, and case dispositions
- Conviction Records: Information about guilty verdicts or pleas and subsequent sentencing
- Incarceration Records: Details about periods of confinement in county jail facilities
The distinction between arrest and conviction records is significant. Arrest records document only that an individual was taken into custody and do not indicate guilt, while conviction records confirm that a person was found guilty of a criminal offense either through trial or plea agreement.
Criminal records in Pennington County are maintained by several agencies:
Pennington County Sheriff's Office
300 Kansas City Street
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-6113
Pennington County Sheriff's Office
Seventh Judicial Circuit Court
315 Saint Joseph Street, Suite 220
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-2571
South Dakota Unified Judicial System
South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation
1302 E Highway 14, Suite 5
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-3331
South Dakota DCI
Adult criminal records generally remain accessible to the public, while juvenile records are typically sealed under SDCL § 26-7A-115, which protects the confidentiality of juvenile court proceedings except in specific circumstances.
Are Criminal Records Public In Pennington County
Criminal records in Pennington County are generally considered public information under South Dakota's open records laws. The South Dakota Public Records Law, codified in SDCL § 1-27-1, establishes that "all records and documents belonging to and received by the state, any county, municipality, political subdivision, or tax-supported district in the state, or received by the officer or employee of the entity in connection with the transaction of public business, are the property of the public entity and shall be open to inspection by any person during normal business hours."
However, certain categories of criminal records are exempt from public disclosure:
- Active criminal investigations
- Sealed or expunged records
- Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
- Records that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
- Records that would endanger an individual's safety
Adult conviction records are consistently available to the public, while arrest records that did not result in conviction may have restricted access in certain circumstances. Court proceedings in Pennington County are generally open to public observation, with case files accessible through the clerk of courts, unless specifically sealed by judicial order.
The South Dakota Unified Judicial System maintains that "court records are presumed to be open to the public unless prohibited by law, court rule, or court order," as stated in their public access policies. This presumption of openness aligns with constitutional principles of transparent governance and public oversight of the judicial system.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Pennington County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Pennington County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The county provides multiple access points depending on the specific records needed and the purpose of the request.
For in-person requests, individuals may visit:
Pennington County Clerk of Courts
315 Saint Joseph Street, Suite 220
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-2571
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
South Dakota Unified Judicial System
When requesting records in person, requestors should:
- Complete a records request form, available at the clerk's office
- Provide specific information about the case or individual (full name, date of birth, case number if known)
- Present valid photo identification
- Pay applicable fees for copies ($1.00 per page for standard copies)
For criminal background checks, individuals may contact:
South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation
1302 E Highway 14, Suite 5
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-3331
South Dakota Background Check Services
The DCI provides statewide criminal history information for a fee of $24.00 per search. Requestors must submit:
- A completed background check request form
- Fingerprint card (for complete criminal history checks)
- Payment by check or money order
- Authorization from the subject of the search (if applicable)
For active warrants and current inmate information, the public may contact:
Pennington County Sheriff's Office
300 Kansas City Street
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-6113
Pennington County Sheriff's Office
Written requests for criminal records may be submitted by mail to the appropriate agency with all required documentation and payment enclosed.
How To Find Criminal Records in Pennington County Online?
Pennington County residents and interested parties can access certain criminal records through several online portals maintained by state and county agencies. These digital resources provide convenient alternatives to in-person requests.
The primary online resource for court records is the South Dakota Unified Judicial System's eCourts portal. This system allows users to:
- Search for criminal cases by name or case number
- View case summaries, charges, and disposition information
- Access court calendars and scheduled hearings
- Review judgment information and sentencing details
The eCourts system requires users to create a free account before conducting searches. Some documents may require payment to view or download, with fees typically ranging from $1.00 to $5.00 per document.
For current inmate information, the Pennington County Sheriff's Office maintains an online Inmate Roster that is updated daily. This resource provides:
- Names of currently incarcerated individuals
- Booking dates
- Charges
- Bond information
- Scheduled release dates (when applicable)
The South Dakota Sex Offender Registry, maintained by the Attorney General's Office, allows users to search for registered sex offenders residing in Pennington County. This database includes:
- Offender photographs
- Residential addresses
- Conviction information
- Risk level designations
For comprehensive statewide criminal history information, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation offers an online background check service. This service:
- Requires registration and payment of fees
- Provides official criminal history reports
- May require subject authorization for certain requests
- Includes only South Dakota records (not federal or other states)
Users should note that online record systems may not contain complete information, particularly for older cases that have not been digitized. Additionally, certain sensitive or sealed records will not appear in public online searches regardless of digital availability.
Can You Search Pennington County Criminal Records for Free?
Pennington County provides several options for members of the public to access criminal records without payment, in accordance with South Dakota's public records laws. The South Dakota Public Records Law (SDCL § 1-27-1) establishes that public records shall be open to inspection at no cost during normal business hours.
Free inspection options include:
Pennington County Clerk of Courts
315 Saint Joseph Street, Suite 220
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-2571
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
At this location, individuals may:
- Review case files in person at no charge
- Use public access terminals to search court records
- Inspect criminal case indexes and dockets
- View court calendars and scheduled hearings
The South Dakota Unified Judicial System provides limited free online access through their public portal, which allows users to:
- Search basic case information by name or case number
- View case types and filing dates
- Check upcoming court dates
- See case status information
The Pennington County Sheriff's Office maintains a free online Inmate Roster that provides current information about individuals in custody without charge.
While inspection of records is generally free, fees apply for:
- Copies of documents ($1.00 per page for standard copies)
- Certified copies ($5.00 per document)
- Background checks ($24.00 through the DCI)
- Specialized searches requiring staff research time
Pursuant to SDCL § 1-27-35, agencies may charge "reasonable fees" for reproduction of records, but may not charge for inspection alone. The law states that "if a record is available in electronic format, the agency shall provide the record in electronic format if requested."
What's Included in a Pennington County Criminal Record?
Criminal records in Pennington County typically contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The content of these records is standardized according to SDCL § 23-5-10, which establishes requirements for criminal history information.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color)
- Mugshot or booking photograph
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer
- Booking number and facility
- Charges filed at arrest
- Bail or bond amount
- Detention location
- Release date (if applicable)
Court Case Information:
- Case number and jurisdiction
- Court of record (typically Seventh Judicial Circuit Court)
- Filing date and prosecutor
- Formal charges and statutory citations
- Classification of offenses (felony or misdemeanor)
- Plea information
- Defense attorney information
- Hearing dates and proceedings
Disposition Information:
- Verdict or outcome
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration terms
- Probation conditions
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Treatment requirements
- Appeal information
- Probation/parole status and violations
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Protection or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI history
- Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
The comprehensiveness of records may vary based on the age of the case, with older records sometimes containing less detailed information. Additionally, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of records in accordance with privacy laws and court rules.
How Long Does Pennington County Keep Criminal Records?
Pennington County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the South Dakota Bureau of Administration's Records Management Program under authority of SDCL § 1-27-14.1. These schedules determine how long different types of criminal records must be preserved before they may be destroyed or archived.
Criminal records retention periods vary by document type:
- Felony Case Files: Permanently retained for Class A, B, and C felonies; 25 years after case closure for lower-level felonies
- Misdemeanor Case Files: 10 years after case closure
- Traffic Violations: 3 years after case closure
- Arrest Records: 7 years for arrests not resulting in charges; permanently for arrests resulting in felony convictions
- Booking Photos and Fingerprints: Permanently maintained by the Division of Criminal Investigation
- Court Transcripts: Permanently maintained for felony cases; 10 years for misdemeanors
- Probation Records: 7 years after completion of probation
- Warrant Information: Until executed or recalled, plus 7 years
The Seventh Judicial Circuit Court, which serves Pennington County, maintains court records according to the South Dakota Unified Judicial System Records Retention and Destruction Schedule, which may specify longer retention periods for certain judicial documents.
Criminal history information maintained by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation is generally kept permanently, particularly for felony convictions. This information remains in state databases and the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC) indefinitely unless expunged by court order.
Records that have exceeded their retention period may be destroyed in accordance with state procedures, though many historical records are now digitized and maintained electronically beyond minimum retention requirements.