On Friday, October 24, 2025, KELOLAND News reported that Wade Warntjes is no longer serving as a magistrate judge in South Dakota’s second judicial circuit. Warntjes’ appointment to the position had been announced and approved in 2021.

Greg Sattizahn, the state court administrator with the South Dakota Unified Judicial System (SDUJS), confirmed Warntjes’ departure to KELOLAND News via text message on Friday morning. According to Sattizahn, Warntjes “separated from employment on October 22 and is no longer a magistrate judge with the unified judicial system.”

Sattizahn declined to provide further details regarding the circumstances surrounding Warntjes’ departure, stating that he was “not able to comment any further or offer additional details,” when asked if Warntjes was dismissed by the SDUJS and, if so, the reason for the dismissal.

The website previously associated with Warntjes’ judgeship was no longer accessible on Friday morning, displaying a message indicating that the “URL doesn’t exist or has been moved.”

The second judicial circuit in South Dakota encompasses Lincoln and Minnehaha Counties.

To gain a better understanding of the role and responsibilities of a magistrate judge, KELOLAND News contacted Neil Fulton, dean of the University of South Dakota’s Knudson School of Law. Fulton explained that magistrate judges in South Dakota primarily handle pre-trial litigation in criminal court. Their duties include managing initial appearances, preliminary hearings, and bond hearings. Fulton further noted that magistrate judges have the authority to preside over misdemeanor offenses through jury trials and can also hear smaller civil matters, such as small claims court cases.

KELOLAND News also inquired about the frequency of magistrate judges leaving their positions under circumstances lacking a clear explanation, such as retirement or a return to private practice. Fulton responded that it would be “pretty unusual for someone to leave with no clear reason,” and characterized such a departure as “atypical.”

 

 

Source: KELOLAND News