Jeffrey Lynn Viken at a glance
- Current role
- Former Judge
- Jurisdiction
- South Dakota · Federal
- Judicial service
- Former
Jeffrey Lynn Viken
Former Judge · U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota
Service record and verification
Judicial service and assignments
- U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota · Judge · Former · September 30, 2009–Former · Assignment source ↗
- U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota · Judge · Former · September 30, 2009–October 1, 2023 · Assignment source ↗
Appointment and verification
- Source authority
- CourtListener / Free Law Project
Biography
Professional career
- U.S. District Judge, District of South Dakota, 2009-2023
- Retired American federal judge who served on the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota from 2009 until his retirement in 2023
- 2013–2019: Chief Judge of the District of South Dakota
- 1981–2003: Partner in Rapid City, SD law firms, including Finch, Viken & Viken and Viken, Viken, Pechota, Leach & Dewell, LLP
- Assistant U.S. attorney, District of South Dakota, 1977-1981; acting U.S. attorney, 1981
- Viken is recognized for his long service in both the prosecution and defense roles, his leadership as Chief Judge, and his role in shaping the judicial process in South Dakota
Education
- University of South Dakota School of Law (now the Knudson School of Law) in — J.D. (1977)
- University of South Dakota in — B.A. (1974)
Additional information
- Assumed senior status, 2021-10-01; retired, 2023-10-01
- 30, 2009: Commissioned as Judge
- Federal public defender, Districts of North Dakota and South Dakota, 2003-2009
- Private practice, Rapid City, South Dakota, 1981-2003
- Born August 8, 1952, in Huron, South Dakota.
- Date of birth: 1952-01-01
- He was admitted to the South Dakota bar under the diploma privilege and did not take the bar exam
- Birth place: Huron, SD
Sources
Identity source checked October 2, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 2, 2026.