---
title: "Steven L. Zinter | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/steven-l-zinter-5706"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Steven L. Zinter

Supreme Court of South Dakota · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Supreme Court of South Dakota
- State: South Dakota
- Role: Judge
- Service status: former
- Last verified: 2026-08-22

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- Steven Lee Zinter (1950 – 2018) was an American jurist who held the role of an Associate Justice of the South Dakota Supreme Court from 2002 until his death in 2018
- Circuit Court Judge, Sixth Judicial Circuit (1987–2002), later Presiding Judge (1997–2002)
- He became a circuit judge in 1987 and Sixth Circuit presiding judge in 1997
- He held the role of Assistant Attorney General from 1975 to 1978, practiced in Pierre, and held the role of Hughes County state’s attorney from 1980 to 1986

### Education

- University of South Dakota — B.A.

### Additional information

- Steven Lee Zinter (September 18, 1950–October 30, 2018) served on the South Dakota Supreme Court from 2002 until his death.
- He represented the Third District and was retained in 2006 and 2014.
- Governor Bill Janklow appointed Zinter to the South Dakota Supreme Court on April 2, 2002.
- Governor Bill Janklow appointed him to the Supreme Court on April 2, 2002
- Born in Minneapolis and raised partly in Sioux City, he obtained a University of South Dakota BS in 1972 and JD in 1975.
- Zinter was born September 18, 1950 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and grew up partly in Iowa with strong family ties to South Dakota.
- Date of birth: 1950-09-18
- representing the Third District.
- His professional service included the South Dakota Retirement System trusteeship and Judges Association presidency.
- He was admitted to the South Dakota bar under the state’s diploma privilege, without taking the bar exam
- Birth place: Minneapolis

## 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/media/ge2bfzs4/supreme-court-photographic-history.pdf)
- [Official roster](https://ujs.sd.gov/media/ge2bfzs4/supreme-court-photographic-history.pdf)
- [Supreme Court of South Dakota current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5706/steven-l-zinter/)
- [South Dakota Supreme Court Courtroom Protocol](https://ujs.sd.gov/supreme-court/courtroom-protocol/)
- [South Dakota Supreme Court Courtroom Protocol](https://ujs.sd.gov/supreme-court/courtroom-protocol/)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5706/steven-l-zinter/)
- [Wikidata: Steven L. Zinter](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7614953)
- [South Dakota Supreme Court Courtroom Protocol](https://ujs.sd.gov/supreme-court/courtroom-protocol/)
- [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_L._Zinter)
- [www.usd.edu](https://www.usd.edu/academics/colleges-and-schools/knudson-school-of-law/south-dakotan-lawyer/justice-steven-zinter-lived-with-unfailing-optimism-despite-challenges-and-unpopular-opinions)
- [ballotpedia.org](https://ballotpedia.org/Steven_Zinter)
- [www.thefreelibrary.com](https://www.thefreelibrary.com/THE+LIFE+AND+LEGAL+LEGACY+OF+JUSTICE+STEVEN+L.+ZINTER.-a0632979266)
- [South Dakota Supreme Court Courtroom Protocol](https://ujs.sd.gov/supreme-court/courtroom-protocol/)

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