The quickest check is the Buffalo County Inmate Search.

Buffalo County has no jail of its own. Most people go to the Brule County Jail, 201 W. Kellam Avenue, Chamberlain, SD 57325 (605-234-4443).

Bond is often posted where the person is held.

You can also call the Buffalo County Sheriff's Office in Gann Valley (605-293-3231).

On the phone:

• Give their full legal name.
• Add a birth date, if known.
• Ask if bond has been set.

Charge details may not be shared.

Back to questions ↑

The Clerk of Court is at 300 South Courtland Street, Suite #111, Chamberlain, SD 57325-1599 (605-734-4580). Buffalo County cases are handled by the Brule County clerk.

The Buffalo County Clerk of Court takes bond deposits (SDCL §23A-43-3(4)).

Call ahead about hours and payment types.

Back to questions ↑

Magistrate court is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit (SDCL §16-12B-11). Its judges try misdemeanor cases (SDCL §16-12B-11). A felony moves on to the Buffalo County circuit court (SDCL §23A-4-3).

See the UJS court finder for contacts.

Back to questions ↑

An officer takes the arrested person before a committing magistrate without unnecessary delay (SDCL §23A-4-1). A warrant may already list the bail amount (SDCL §23A-2-4). Magistrate judges may set bond too (SDCL §16-12B-7). For listed charges, a clerk magistrate uses the bond schedule (SDCL §16-12C-10).

Back to questions ↑

Often, yes. The law starts with personal recognizance (SDCL §23A-43-2). The court may also use an unsecured appearance bond (SDCL §23A-43-2). More can be required if the person may not return (SDCL §23A-43-2). The same goes for danger to others (SDCL §23A-43-2).

Back to questions ↑

Common types include:

• Personal recognizance: A signed promise to appear (SDCL §23A-43-2).
• 10% deposit bond: Up to 10%, paid to the clerk (SDCL §23A-43-3(4)).
• Surety bond: A licensed bondsman backs the full amount (SDCL §23A-43-3(5)).
• Cash bond: The full amount is paid in cash (SDCL §23A-43-3(5)).

Each surety signs an affidavit about assets (SDCL §23A-43-20).

Back to questions ↑

First come the charge and its evidence (SDCL §23A-43-4). Family ties and work matter (SDCL §23A-43-4). Finances and length of residence also count (SDCL §23A-43-4). The criminal record and past court dates weigh in (SDCL §23A-43-4).

The setting is informal; evidence rules are relaxed (SDCL §23A-43-12).

Back to questions ↑

Very seldom. The state constitution guarantees bail for most (S.D. Const. art. VI, §8). The exception is a capital offense with strong proof (S.D. Const. art. VI, §8). In that case, detention is possible (SDCL §23A-43-2.1).

Being out on a personal bond already can mean tighter terms (SDCL §23A-43-2).

Back to questions ↑

The state court system sets a fine and bond schedule (SDCL §16-2-21). Clerk magistrates use it for listed offenses (SDCL §16-12C-10).

The FY2027 version took effect July 1, 2026.

• For murder or kidnapping, a judge sets bond.
• Many felonies fall between $1,000 and $10,000.
• First or second DUI: $225 to $1,000.
• Ordinance charges usually get personal recognizance.

A judge can still change the amount.

Back to questions ↑

Bondsmen are allowed with a state license (SDCL §58-22-4). They must register with the sheriff at home (SDCL §58-22-25). They may take nothing beyond the premium (SDCL §58-22-30). Collateral must be reasonable and returned later (SDCL §58-22-30).

A few more rules:

• Ask for a collateral receipt (SDCL §58-22-31).
• Officers and jailers may not write bonds (SDCL §58-22-3).
• Pitching bonds inside a jail is illegal (SDCL §58-22-32).

The state licenses bondsmen (SD Division of Insurance).

Back to questions ↑

The judge can limit travel, contacts, or residence (SDCL §23A-43-3(2)). Release to a responsible person is possible (SDCL §23A-43-3(1)). Some people get a mental health assessment (SDCL §23A-43-3(3)). The court may require return to jail after set hours (SDCL §23A-43-3(6)).

Every term appears in a written order (SDCL §23A-43-6). Breaking a term can bring a warrant (SDCL §23A-43-6). The court may amend the terms (SDCL §23A-43-7).

Back to questions ↑

Judges can make 24/7 sobriety a term (SDCL §1-11-20). Testing is often twice a day at the sheriff's office (SDCL §1-11-19). The person pays program fees (SDCL §1-11-25).

It shows up most in DUI charges (SDCL §32-23-1).

Back to questions ↑

Police cannot release the person without a judge (SDCL §25-10-40). A magistrate judge or Buffalo County circuit court sets bond (SDCL §25-10-40). A no-contact order is likely (SDCL §25-10-41). Terms may include moving out or no alcohol (SDCL §25-10-41).

Contacting the victim from jail is a crime (SDCL §25-10-43). Violating that term is a separate misdemeanor (SDCL §25-10-23).

Back to questions ↑

The law demands court without unnecessary delay (SDCL §23A-4-1). It may be in person or by video (SDCL §23A-4-1). For a warrantless arrest, a judge should check probable cause within 48 hours (County of Riverside v. McLaughlin, 500 U.S. 44 (1991)).

A jailed felony defendant has a preliminary hearing within 15 days (SDCL §23A-4-3). The person hears about free counsel if needed (SDCL §23A-4-3).

Back to questions ↑

If the person is still held a day later, request review (SDCL §23A-43-8). The judge must give written reasons to keep it (SDCL §23A-43-8). Another judge may also review it (SDCL §23A-43-10).

A motion can go to the Buffalo County circuit court (SDCL §23A-43-14). An appeal to the state Supreme Court follows (SDCL §23A-43-15).

Back to questions ↑

The court can issue a warrant right away (SDCL §23A-43-21). For felony charges, it is a Class 6 felony (SDCL §23A-43-31). Misdemeanor cases bring a Class 1 misdemeanor (SDCL §23A-43-31).

Call the clerk of court right away if a date was missed.

Back to questions ↑

A breach lets the court declare forfeiture (SDCL §23A-43-21). It may be set aside if justice allows (SDCL §23A-43-22). Remission of some money is possible (SDCL §23A-43-24). Sureties may return the person to custody (SDCL §23A-43-29).

Back to questions ↑

The deposit is returned after the case (SDCL §23A-43-3(4)). Sureties are released when the case ends (SDCL §23A-43-26). Money lost to forfeiture goes to the county (SDCL §23A-43-25). A bondsman's premium is not refunded.

The Buffalo County Clerk of Court can explain the refund steps.

Back to questions ↑

Minors are handled in juvenile court (SDCL §26-7A-14). Custody is limited to 48 hours without a court order (SDCL §26-7A-14). For status offenses, the limit is 24 hours (SDCL §26-7A-14). That count skips weekends (SDCL §26-7A-14).

Back to questions ↑

Federal cases from Buffalo County belong to the Central Division (28 U.S.C. §122). Release is set by a federal magistrate judge (18 U.S.C. §3142).

The clerk's office is at 225 S. Pierre Street, Pierre, SD 57501 (605-945-4600).

Back to questions ↑

Buffalo County includes Crow Creek Reservation land. Tribal members may face tribal court instead (18 U.S.C. §1151). Major crimes may be federal cases (18 U.S.C. §1153).

Tribal courts use their own release rules, so contact the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe court.

Back to questions ↑

Hours, fees, and payment types can change.

A quick call first saves a trip.

• Carry photo ID.
• Bring the booking or case number.
• Ask which payment forms are taken.

This is general help, not legal advice.

Back to questions ↑