Office of the Governor
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, January 29, 2002
For More Information: Bob Mercer or Mike Mueller, 773-3212

Gov. Janklow Appoints Judge Zinter To South Dakota Supreme Court

(Pierre) – Gov. Bill Janklow announced Tuesday he has appointed state Circuit Judge Steven Zinter of Pierre to the South Dakota Supreme Court.

Moments after he had been appointed by the governor as the newest justice on the South Dakota Supreme Court, Circuit Judge Steven Zinter of Pierre (center) was applauded by Supreme Court Chief Justice David Gilbertson (left), retired Chief Justice Robert Miller (directly behind Zinter), Gov. Bill Janklow (right) and others. Approximately 100 friends and family packed into the Supreme Court courtroom at the state Capitol on Tuesday afternoon for the impromptu ceremony, at which Janklow surprised Zinter with the announcement.

The announcement came in a surprise ceremony for Zinter arranged by Janklow and Chief Justice David Gilbertson in the Supreme Court courtroom at the state Capitol. 

"Steve has one of the finest intellects and finest temperaments and greatest abilities of any human being I’ve ever known," Janklow said.

Zinter, 51, fills the open seat on the court created by the retirement of Chief Justice Robert Miller last year.

Since 1997, Zinter has been the presiding judge in the Sixth Circuit, based in Pierre, and has been a circuit judge there since 1987. He previously served six years as Hughes County State’s Attorney and was in private practice in Pierre since 1979. Prior to that, he worked as an assistant attorney general for the State of South Dakota from 1975 through 1978, when Janklow was attorney general.

Zinter and his wife, Sandy, have two daughters, Sarah and Kelly. He is a 1975 graduate of the University of South Dakota school of law.

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