---
title: "Patricia J. DeVaney | KnowJudges"
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updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Patricia J. DeVaney

Supreme Court of South Dakota · Justice

## Profile

- Court: Supreme Court of South Dakota
- State: South Dakota
- Role: Justice
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-09-25

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- 2019–present: Appointed by Governor Kristi Noem to the South Dakota Supreme Court on April 4, 2019, succeeding Justice Steven L. Zinter, who died in October 2018
- Associate Justice of the South Dakota Supreme Court, appointed in 2019 by Governor Kristi Noem to represent the Third Judicial District
- 2012–2019: Appointed by Governor Dennis Daugaard as a Circuit Court Judge for the Sixth Judicial Circuit, also serving as the second judge for the Sixth Circuit Drug & DUI Court
- South Dakota Attorney General's Office, 1993-2012
- Worked in the Attorney General’s Office from 1993 to 2012 on appellate, felony trial, civil and administrative matters

### Education

- University of Virginia School of Law in — J.D. (1993)
- Summa cum laude BS in political science at the University of South Dakota in 1990

### Additional information

- Appointed to the South Dakota Supreme Court by Governor Kristi Noem on April 4, 2019, succeeding Steven Zinter, and was sworn in on May 23, 2019
- She grew up in the Miller/Hand County area and graduated from Polo High School in 1986.
- representing the Third Supreme Court District.
- Her service included Drug/DUI Court, leadership of the South Dakota Judges Association, a sexual harassment commission and courthouse security work.
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## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### electronic devices and media

Scope: courtwide

South Dakota Supreme Court courtroom protocol instructs visitors not to bring cameras or recording equipment into the courtroom.

Evidence excerpt: Do not bring food, drinks, cameras or recording equipment into the courtroom.

[South Dakota Supreme Court Courtroom Protocol](https://ujs.sd.gov/supreme-court/courtroom-protocol/)
Source checked: 2026-07-27


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://ujs.sd.gov/supreme-court/)
- [Official roster](https://ujs.sd.gov/supreme-court/)
- [South Dakota Unified Judicial System official judicial roster](https://ujs.sd.gov/supreme-court/)
- [South Dakota Supreme Court Courtroom Protocol](https://ujs.sd.gov/supreme-court/courtroom-protocol/)
- [Justice Patricia J. DeVaney](https://ujs.sd.gov/sd-unified-judicial-system-directory/justice-patricia-j-devaney/)
- [South Dakota Unified Judicial System Directory](https://ujs.sd.gov/sd-unified-judicial-system-directory/)
- [Justice Patricia J. DeVaney](https://ujs.sd.gov/sd-unified-judicial-system-directory/justice-patricia-j-devaney/)
- [South Dakota Unified Judicial System Directory](https://ujs.sd.gov/sd-unified-judicial-system-directory/)
- [South Dakota Unified Judicial System official judicial roster](https://ujs.sd.gov/supreme-court/)
- [South Dakota Supreme Court Courtroom Protocol](https://ujs.sd.gov/supreme-court/courtroom-protocol/)
- [Justice Patricia J. DeVaney](https://ujs.sd.gov/sd-unified-judicial-system-directory/justice-patricia-j-devaney/)
- [South Dakota Unified Judicial System Directory](https://ujs.sd.gov/sd-unified-judicial-system-directory/)
- [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patricia_Devaney)
- [ballotpedia.org](https://ballotpedia.org/Patricia_DeVaney)
- [South Dakota Unified Judicial System official judicial roster](https://ujs.sd.gov/supreme-court/)
- [South Dakota Supreme Court Courtroom Protocol](https://ujs.sd.gov/supreme-court/courtroom-protocol/)
- [Justice Patricia J. DeVaney](https://ujs.sd.gov/sd-unified-judicial-system-directory/justice-patricia-j-devaney/)
- [South Dakota Unified Judicial System Directory](https://ujs.sd.gov/sd-unified-judicial-system-directory/)

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